Old Republic Taps New COO for Excess & Surplus Unit
Event summary
- John Paulk appointed Chief Operating Officer of Old Republic Excess & Surplus on August 6, 2026.
- Paulk reports to Ralph Sabbagh, President of the unit, and will focus on operational excellence.
- Paulk brings over 20 years of executive experience in specialty E&S insurance.
The big picture
Old Republic's hire underscores its push to strengthen its specialty excess & surplus insurance segment, a space increasingly competitive as insurers seek differentiated underwriting capabilities. The move comes amid broader industry trends of consolidation and operational streamlining in niche insurance markets. With over $10 billion in assets, Old Republic is positioning itself for sustained growth through targeted leadership investments.
What we're watching
- Execution Risk
- How Paulk's operational changes will impact Old Republic Excess & Surplus' market positioning.
- Strategic Alignment
- Whether the new leadership duo can drive Old Republic into a leading E&S insurer role.
- Performance Optimization
- The pace at which Paulk implements performance improvements in the unit.
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