Broker Lockton’s N.Y. Retail Office to be Run by Former Aon, Willis Execs

Lockton Companies, Inc., the Kansas City, Mo.-based privately owned insurance broker, has opened a New York retail office, vowing to target complex middle-market clients and take a focused approach towards the Fortune 1000 and selected industries.

Since the first of the year, Lockton has attracted more than a dozen professionals and has already begun providing services to clients in the greater New York market.

Lockton’s New York office is being led by Co-Presidents Michael Calabrese and Garrett Mathieson, who join Lockton after careers with national brokerage competitors.

Calabrese formerly headed Aon’s Mergers & Acquisitions Practice while Mathieson previously held the position of Vice Chairman — Willis Risk Solutions North America.

Lockton New York ialso announced additional hires, inluding Paul Kobyra to lead its Casualty Practice; Gary Phillips to lead its Financial Services Practice; Brad Hart to lead its Technical Services Practice (Claims & Loss Control) and Maria McHugh to lead its Employee Benefits Practice.

Kobyra joins Lockton from Marsh’s Northeastern Zone. Phillips most recently was with Wachovia Insurance Services’ Executive Liability team while Hart joins Lockton from Willis North America. McHugh joins Lockton from Frank Crystal where she led their Employee Benefits Practice in New York.

Augmenting these groups will be a Property Practice Leader as well as an International Practice Leader.

In addition to the professionals noted above, Lockton has added several key relationship management and technical executives in New York including Richard Allen (formerly of Willis North America), Roger DeBerardine & Jude Donato (formerly of Aon Risk Services), Diana Eglin (RLI Insurance Group) and Chad Marrison (Marsh). These professionals will form the core of Lockton’s service delivery platform.

Lockton anticipates significantly expanding its staff over the next fiscal year.

Lockton Companies, Inc. identifies itself as the largest, independently owned broker in the United States, with 17 locations nationwide and clients in more than 125 countries.