QBE promotes Steve Gransbury and Tara Krauss

QBE North America has promoted Steve Gransbury and Tara Krauss to the roles of head of specialty insurance and head of accident and health, respectively.

Specialty is a new unit for QBE, encompassing accident and health, aviation and trade credit and surety. Gransbury had been leading the accident and health business, the largest of the three businesses, and was replaced by Krauss, who reports into him.

This new alignment will allow a sharper focus on customer needs to fully realise the growth opportunity each business holds for the company, QBE said.

Gransbury joined QBE in 2009 when it acquired SLG Benefits & Insurance, a programme management company he co-founded. With over 25 years of experience in the re/insurance and captive industry, Gransbury is a member of the QBE North America underwriting committee. He began his insurance career as an independent employee benefits consultant, before joining LDG Insurance Underwriters, which was later acquired by HCC Insurance Holdings.

Krauss is already familiar with the business for which she is now responsible, having formerly been senior vice president of underwriting operations for accident and health. She has 24 years of experience in the insurance industry, and also joined QBE in 2009. Prior to joining QBE, Krauss held various underwriting positions with HCC Insurance (formerly LDG) and SLG Benefits & Insurance.

Tom Fitzgerald, president of QBE specialty and commercial, attributed the success of QBE’s accident and health operation to Gransbury’s hard work and commitment. “Aligning our specialty businesses within a single unit furthers our commitment to growth in the specialty market, and [Gransbury] was the clear choice to lead the newly formed group,” he said.