Westfield Specialty Taps Will Chen as CFO to Steer Ambitious Growth

WESTFIELD CENTER, Ohio – February 18, 2026 – Westfield Specialty has appointed Will Chen, a seasoned executive with over three decades of experience in specialty insurance, as its new U.S. Chief Financial Officer. The move signals a strategic reinforcement of the company’s financial leadership as it navigates a period of aggressive growth and international expansion.

Chen will report directly to Westfield Specialty President Jack Kuhn and will be responsible for the company’s U.S. financial strategy, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), and operational controls. His appointment comes as Westfield Specialty continues to build on a remarkable growth trajectory since its launch in 2021.

“I am excited to add Will to our leadership team,” Kuhn stated in the announcement. “He is a high-impact finance executive who brings a compelling blend of strategic finance and insurance experience, well-honed operating skills, and leadership abilities. He will be a strong partner as we continue to grow our platform to position Westfield Specialty for sustainable, long-term growth and profitability.”

A Strategic Hire Amid Explosive Growth

Chen’s arrival is timed perfectly with Westfield Specialty's rapid ascent in the competitive insurance market. After writing $300 million in Gross Written Premium (GWP) in the U.S. by the end of 2022, the company’s growth accelerated dramatically. Following the pivotal acquisition of Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200, Westfield Specialty closed 2023 with $1.1 billion in GWP, a figure that surged past $1.5 billion by year-end 2024.

The momentum has continued unabated. For the first nine months of 2025, the company reported GWP of $1.4 billion and an underwriting income of $92 million, results described as “considerably ahead of planned results.” The U.S. business, which Chen will now oversee financially, accounted for 53% of this premium, or $755 million, with a strong combined ratio of 89.4%.

This explosive growth necessitates sophisticated financial stewardship to ensure that expansion remains both profitable and sustainable. Chen steps into the role previously held by Rob Looney, who was promoted to CFO of the parent company, Westfield Insurance, in 2024, indicating a strategic continuity in the firm's financial leadership. Chen’s extensive background is seen as critical to managing the complexities of this high-growth environment, from optimizing capital to embedding rigorous operational controls.

A Veteran's Journey Through the Specialty Landscape

Chen is no stranger to the intricate world of specialty insurance. His 30-plus year career includes a series of senior financial roles at some of the industry's most prominent names, including Argo, American International Group (AIG), Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG), and Zurich. Most recently, he served as the U.S. CFO at Ascot, where he managed the finance department for its domestic specialty business.

This extensive experience across different carriers and market cycles provides him with a unique perspective on the evolving demands placed on a modern CFO. The specialty insurance sector is increasingly defined by complex, non-standard risks—from cyber threats to environmental liabilities—that require deep expertise and creative underwriting. Chen’s background, coupled with his MBA in finance and accounting from New York University, equips him to navigate this landscape, where financial strategy is intrinsically linked to underwriting discipline and risk appetite.

His journey through these industry giants has prepared him to lead a finance organization that must be both a strategic partner to the business and a diligent guardian of its financial health, a dual role essential for any company with ambitions as large as Westfield Specialty’s.

Fortifying a Global Platform for Future Expansion

Westfield Specialty’s growth is not just a domestic story. The company operates a global platform built on the financial strength of its parent, Westfield, and the international reach of its Lloyd's of London Syndicate 1200. With underwriting operations already established in the U.S., U.K., and Dubai, the company has its sights set on further expansion.

A key strategic initiative is the planned launch of a Luxembourg-based subsidiary, which will allow Westfield Specialty to write business on company paper in the European market starting in April 2026. This move complements its existing capacity at Lloyd’s and represents a significant step in building out a truly global franchise. The company's goal of reaching $2 billion in annual GWP globally underscores the scale of this ambition.

Underpinning this expansion is a sophisticated technology platform. Westfield Specialty has invested in a cloud-native core system and a custom-built digital architecture designed for agility. This allows the company to develop and launch new products in as little as four to eight weeks, a critical advantage in the fast-moving specialty market. Chen’s financial oversight will be crucial in resourcing these technological investments and ensuring they deliver a clear return while supporting the company's expanding portfolio of business lines, which currently includes over two dozen offerings across its U.S. and international operations.

As the company navigates the financial and regulatory complexities of entering new markets and launching new products, Chen's leadership will be instrumental in ensuring the operational and financial frameworks can support this continued growth. He joins a leadership team focused on identifying accretive opportunities to further diversify its portfolio.

“I am pleased to be joining Westfield Specialty and excited about its bright future,” Chen said. “I look forward to working with Jack, the executive leadership team, and the finance organization to further enhance our capabilities and build upon Westfield Specialty's strong franchise.”