Ryan Specialty Group has appointed John Zern as president and CEO of Ryan Specialty Benefits. Zern will lead the development of Ryan Specialty Benefits, which focuses on wholesale benefits brokerage and managing general underwriting capabilities. With extensive employee benefits and insurance experience, Zern has previously served as CEO of global health solutions and CEO of North America: commercial risk and health solutions at Aon. His experience includes advising clients on health and risk strategies working closely with insurance leaders to build innovative solutions addressing challenges that employers face. Pat Ryan, founder, chairman and CEO of Ryan Specialty Group, commented: “We believe there is a significant retail client need and growth opportunity across employee benefits and are excited to be launching Ryan Specialty Benefits.” Ryan added: “John Zern is the perfect individual to lead this effort for our company. I’ve known John for many years and have seen firsthand his excellent executive leadership, team building skills and deep technical knowledge. I am very much looking forward to working with John and am delighted that he has joined the Ryan Specialty Group family to lead this specialty for us.” Commenting on his new role, Zern stated: “I am thrilled to be working alongside Pat Ryan and the top talent at RSG to build Ryan Specialty Benefits. RSG is a very client-centric firm and a close-knit family which has positioned itself as an undeniable market leader in excess and surplus lines and specialty insurance.” “I believe in the power of the wholesale ecosystem and know delivering distinctive employee benefits solutions is of high importance to our retail client base. I will work closely with industry stakeholders to build the leader in wholesale employee benefits. Establishing Ryan Specialty Benefits is an opportunity I am privileged to have and excited to develop with Pat and the team,” Zern explained.
