Concert Group unveils leadership succession plan to drive next phase of growth

Concert Group Holdings has announced the components of a succession plan designed to prepare the company for its next five years of profitable growth and development.  

The plan, which was developed during Q1 of this year, came into effect on Friday, August 1, 2025, and includes the following changes to Concert’s management team:

• John Hendrickson will step down from his position as chief executive. Hendrickson will remain on Concert’s Board.

• Hendrickson will be succeeded as chief executive by Sam LaDuca (pictured right), currently Concert’s chief actuary. 

• Matt Wagner (pictured left), currently chief legal officer and general counsel, will add the role of President of Concert to his responsibilities. 

• Mike Rybak, currently chief financial officer, is scheduled to retire in June 2026 after a 50-year career in the insurance industry. Rybak will step down from his role and will remain available to Concert’s finance team until his retirement next year. 

• Katarina Scamborova (pictured centre), currently President of Harmony Re, will succeed Rybak as chief financial officer. Scamborova retains her role as president of Harmony Re, Concert’s risk retention vehicle.

“Our succession plan coincides with impressive operating performance, increasing market interest in partnering with Concert and significant growth in the fronting market,” said Concert chair Charles Slatery. “Over the last two-plus years, John, Matt and Sam have collaborated closely to build a resilient operating, governance and risk management foundation which positions Concert well to deliver on our management’s ambitious plans for the next five years. 

“Since its formation in 2021, Concert has assembled a top-tier leadership team that has navigated the company successfully through various market challenges, overseen the integration and development of Harmony Re as an innovative solution for risk retention in the fronting sector, and championed a singular set of values central to an enterprise committed to operational integrity. 

“We are grateful for all that John has contributed to Concert since assuming the position of CEO two and a half years ago. We also greatly appreciate that both Mike and John will be available to provide ongoing support to their successors to ensure a smooth and orderly transition.”

“I have genuinely enjoyed my time as Concert’s CEO,” said Hendrickson. “It has been challenging and gratifying in equal measure. The quality of the people working at Concert, and their commitment to its future, give me confidence that the company is destined for long-term success.

“Needless to say, I am delighted that Sam LaDuca is succeeding me as CEO. With more than 30 years’ experience, Sam’s depth of experience, his analytical mindset, and his collaborative nature make him ideally suited to lead Concert during its next stage of growth and development.

“Since joining Concert in March 2022, Sam has made a significant contribution, earning the respect and admiration of Concert’s Board of Directors and company employees. With Sam at the helm, I have no doubt about Concert achieving its goal of becoming a leading hybrid fronting carrier.

"It would be hard to overstate the value Matt Wagner has brought to the company. His perseverance, resilience and stewardship are unwavering. These traits have shone through during any number of issues facing Concert. Matt is the epitome of what Concert strives to attain: excellence in every regard, with a decency, integrity and compassionate humanity that are the hallmarks of his leadership.

“While Katarina Scamborova is stepping into the very experienced and capable shoes of Mike Rybak, there’s no doubting she’s up to the task. The work Katarina has done in bringing Harmony Re to market has been impressive. In addition, in working with Sam to develop our go-forward plan, she has deep, cross-functional insight across Concert’s operations and will lead the continued development of the Finance function with acumen and foresight.

“Katarina will benefit from the excellent foundation built by Mike and Scott Stosek, Concert’s Director of Finance. Scott and Katarina already have a well-established relationship, given Scott’s additional role as Harmony Re’s CFO.”

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