Corporate Profile: W.R. Berkley Corporation, founded in 1967, is one of the nation's premier commercial lines property and casualty insurance providers. Each of the operating units in the Berkley group participates in a niche market requiring specialized knowledge about a territory or product. Our competitive advantage lies in our long-term strategy of decentralized operations, allowing each of our units to identify and respond quickly and effectively to changing market conditions and local customer needs. This decentralized structure provides financial accountability and incentives to local management and enables us to attract and retain the highest caliber professionals. We have the expertise and resources to utilize our strengths in the present environment, and the flexibility to anticipate, innovate and respond to whatever opportunities and challenges the future may hold.
How W.R. Berkley Corporation is Different: The company distinguishes itself in several ways:
Accountability. The business is operated with an ownership perspective and a clear sense of fiduciary responsibility to shareholders.
People-Oriented Strategy. New businesses are started when opportunities are identified and most importantly, when the right talent is found to lead a business. Of the Company's 36 units, 29 were developed internally and seven were acquired.
Responsible Financial Practices. Risk exposures are managed proactively. A strong balance sheet, including a high-quality investment portfolio, ensures ample resources to grow the business profitably whenever there are opportunities to do so.
Risk-Adjusted Returns. Management company-wide is focused on obtaining the best potential returns with real understanding of risk being assumed. Superior risk-adjusted returns are generated over the insurance cycle.
Transparency. Consistent and objective standards are used to measure performance - and, the same standards are used regardless of the environment.
