Skyward Specialty brings in Childs to run construction business

Rebranded US carrier Skyward Specialty has continued its recruitment drive as it repositions under new management with the hiring of Rick Childs as senior vice president for construction from CNA.

The executive has 25 years of commercial insurance industry experience and has spent the last decade focusing on construction.

He was most recently vice president of middle market underwriting in CNA’s construction segment providing underwriting oversight and strategic direction to the unit at the US insurer.

Childs will lead Skyward Specialty’s growing construction business, said the Houston, Texas-based carrier in a statement.

“The company has a terrific platform and it’s clear that its leadership aspirations are to grow the segment into a tier one construction market. I am eager to partner with our talented team of underwriters and to execute on this vision,” said the executive.

Skyward Specialty executive vice president Kirby Hill added: “We are committed to hiring the best talent and letting them do what they do best – build and deliver great products and solutions for our clients. Rick has a proven ability to do exactly that.”

The AM Best A- rated insurer – which recently changed its name from Houston International Insurance Group – has been repositioning its underwriting portfolio under new CEO Andrew Robinson.

It has long held a position as an insurer of the construction industry, building coverage solutions and program structures aimed at contractors.

In an interview with this publication last month, Robinson said the insurer is also targeting expansion into further lines and areas such as binding authority business.