Berkley hires Chubb executive

W.R. Berkley Corp. has hired former Chubb Ltd. executive Michelle D. Middleton, as president of Berkley Mid-Atlantic Group, succeeding John F. Kearns, who has been named chairman of the operating unit.

Mr. Kearns will remain in an advisory role for the group overall, W.R. Berkley said in a statement Monday.

Ms. Middleton most recently served as an executive vice president and head of industry practices for small and middle-market commercial insurance at Chubb. She has more than 30 years of commercial property/casualty insurance experience, with a focus on domestic underwriting and marketing.

Ms. Middleton will be based in Glen Allen, Virginia.