QBE North America Welcomes Jayne Cunningham as Environmental Underwriting Leader

QBE North America Appoints Jayne Cunningham

In a significant move, QBE North America has announced the appointment of Jayne Cunningham as the Senior Vice President and Environmental Underwriting Leader, effective September 29, 2025. This strategic decision is part of QBE's initiative to bolster its Environmental specialty business, a sector that has become increasingly vital in today’s corporate landscape.

Cunningham, who will report directly to Dan Fortin, the President of Specialty Insurance at QBE, brings to the table over three decades of extensive experience in the insurance domain. Notably, she boasts more than 20 years in leadership roles specifically within the environmental sector. Her extensive background equips her with a profound understanding of the nuanced dynamics of the environmental market and the regulatory frameworks that govern it.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jayne to QBE as we work towards enhancing our Environmental specialty business offering," stated Fortin. He added, "Her leadership capabilities paired with her in-depth underwriting knowledge will greatly benefit QBE, our clients, and brokers as we implement our Environmental business strategy across the North American market."

Before her tenure with QBE, Cunningham had notable positions at several renowned insurance firms including Beazley, XL Capital, Zurich, and AIG. Each of these roles has contributed to her deep expertise and has undoubtedly prepared her to lead QBE’s Environmental initiatives effectively.

QBE North America is recognized as a leading player in the global insurance market. The company, which is a part of QBE Insurance Group Limited, reported Gross Written Premiums of $7.3 billion in 2024, reflecting its robust operational capacity and market reach. With its headquarters based in Sydney, Australia, QBE operates in 26 countries and maintains a strong presence in all major insurance markets. The North American division, situated in New York, predominantly conducts business through its network of insurance company subsidiaries.

The move to appoint Cunningham underscores QBE’s commitment to addressing increasing environmental risks and developing comprehensive insurance solutions tailored to this sector's unique challenges. As industries globally face heightened scrutiny regarding their environmental footprints, having a seasoned leader in this field is a strategic advantage that QBE is leveraging to its full potential.

As part of her new role, Cunningham will focus on advancing QBE’s Environmental specialty business and enhancing their product offerings to better serve the evolving needs of clients as they navigate environmental challenges. This includes both underwriting processes and the development of innovative solutions that address the distinct risks associated with environmental concerns.

For more information about QBE North America and its suite of insurance products, individuals are encouraged to visit QBE’s official website or follow QBE North America on various social media platforms including LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. The company is dedicated to keeping customers informed and engaged with its offerings and innovations in the environmental insurance space.

With Cunningham at the helm of the Environmental Underwriting segment, QBE North America is poised to make substantial advancements in the field, answering the pressing calls for sustainable practices and accountability within industries across the continent.