Jon Kattman to lead with Jared Lester and Casie Derrick significantly strengthening team
HOUSTON, Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc.® (Nasdaq: SKWD), a Skyward Group Company (“Skyward Specialty” or “the Company”), a leader in the specialty property and casualty (P&C) market, announced three strategic hires to its Inland Marine unit as the Company deepens its investment in this niche segment.
Skyward Specialty recruited Jon Kattman, an industry veteran of two decades, to lead the Inland Marine team. Kattman’s exceptional track record of building profitable portfolios and delivering differentiated solutions for complex risks will be essential to strengthening the Company’s position in the inland marine market. He most recently served as senior vice president, Inland Marine, at Sompo. Previously, he led Aspen’s U.S. inland marine group and property programs business and held various leadership positions at The Hanover Insurance Group, Liberty Mutual Insurance and U.S. Assure.
Skyward Specialty also hired seasoned insurance strategist, Jared Lester, as vice president of Inland Marine. Lester brings a reputation for driving exceptional growth and building high-performing teams over his 16 years of experience from The Hanover Insurance Group and, most recently, Sompo. Additionally, the Company welcomed Casie Derrick as assistant vice president to the team. Derrick brings 20 years of proven underwriting expertise and deep industry knowledge across inland marine and related property risk from Berkley Fire & Marine, The Hartford and AGCS Marine Insurance Company. Most recently, Derrick was assistant vice president of Inland Marine at Sompo.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jon, Jared and Casie to the team. Their collective market knowledge, relationships and expertise will be instrumental as we build a highly defensible position in Inland Marine,” said Melissa Goto, president, E&S and Inland Marine. “Our continued investment in recruiting the industry’s best talent is key to how we win in the market and scale our capabilities to rule our niche.”
About Skyward Specialty
Skyward Specialty (Nasdaq: SKWD), a Skyward Group company, is a rapidly growing and innovative specialty insurance company, delivering commercial property and casualty products and solutions on a non-admitted and admitted basis. The Company operates through nine underwriting divisions – Accident & Health, Global Agriculture, Captives, Industry Solutions, Global Property, Professional Lines, Specialty Programs, Credit & Surety and Transactional E&S.
Skyward Specialty’s subsidiary insurance companies consist of Great Midwest Insurance Company, Houston Specialty Insurance Company, Imperium Insurance Company, and Oklahoma Specialty Insurance Company. These insurance companies are rated A (Excellent) with a stable outlook by A.M. Best Company. For more information about Skyward Specialty, its people, and its products, please visit https://www.skywardinsurance.com.
About Skyward Group
Skyward Group is the holding company brand for its U.S. and Lloyds businesses, Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc.® and Apollo, respectively, delivering a comprehensive suite of specialized insurance solutions across global specialty property and casualty markets. Focused on the specialty industry’s most niche, complex risks of today and the emerging challenges of tomorrow, Skyward Group leverages the forward-looking insight and disciplined execution of each organization to drive sustainable growth and long-term value for its shareholders, distribution partners and other stakeholders. For more information about Skyward Group, Skyward Specialty and Apollo, please visit skywardgroup.com.
Media Contact
Haley Doughty
Skyward Specialty
713-935-4944
hdoughty@skywardinsurance.com
Investor Contact
Jordan Arnold
Skyward Specialty Insurance Group
346-215-0250
kreed@skywardinsurance.com
