Skyward Specialty Insurance appoints new General Counsel

HOUSTON - Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SKWD), a player in the specialty property and casualty (P&C) market, announced the appointment of Patricia Ryan as its new General Counsel, effective April 1. She will succeed Leslie Shaunty, who is retiring after nearly 12 years with the company but will remain in a transitional role through the end of 2025.

Ryan brings over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, with expertise in compliance, regulatory matters, corporate governance, and enterprise risk management. Her previous roles include senior legal and human resources positions at Trean Insurance Group, HDI Global, QBE North America, and Allianz/Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company. Ryan also has a decade of experience in private practice.

Andrew Robinson, Chairman and CEO of Skyward Specialty, expressed enthusiasm for Ryan’s appointment, citing her deep legal expertise and leadership as valuable assets for the company’s executive team. He also acknowledged Shaunty’s significant contributions, particularly highlighting her role in the company’s successful initial public offering (IPO) and subsequent performance as a public entity.

Skyward Specialty operates through eight underwriting divisions and is known for its commercial property and casualty products and solutions. The company’s insurance subsidiaries, which include Houston Specialty Insurance Company, Imperium Insurance Company, Great Midwest Insurance Company, and Oklahoma Specialty Insurance Company, are rated A (Excellent) with a stable outlook by A.M. Best Company. InvestingPro analysis reveals the company’s strong financial health with an overall score of "GREAT" and attractive valuation metrics, including a P/E ratio of 18.4. For deeper insights into Skyward’s financial performance and growth potential, investors can access the comprehensive Pro Research Report, available exclusively on InvestingPro, which covers over 1,400 US equities with detailed analysis and actionable intelligence.

This leadership transition is part of Skyward Specialty’s ongoing efforts to drive innovation and excellence in the specialty insurance market. The information is based on a press release statement from Skyward Specialty Insurance Group.

In other recent news, Skyward Specialty Insurance Group reported impressive fourth-quarter 2024 earnings, with earnings per share (EPS) of $0.8, surpassing the forecasted $0.65. The company’s revenue reached $304.4 million, exceeding projections of $265.04 million. In response to these strong earnings, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW) raised the price target for Skyward Specialty to $62.00, citing the company’s robust financial performance. Analysts at KBW also increased EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026, reflecting expectations of growth in premiums and investment income.

Meanwhile, Wolfe Research downgraded Skyward Specialty’s stock rating from Outperform to Peer Perform, noting that the company’s trading multiples were higher than historical averages. Wolfe Research removed its price target and set a fair value range for the company at $50 to $59 for year-end 2025. Jefferies also raised its price target for Skyward Specialty to $62.00, maintaining a Buy rating and highlighting the company’s stable guidance for 2025.

Skyward Specialty’s management has expressed confidence in completing underwriting actions in California by early 2025, which is expected to stabilize operations. The company continues to explore potential mergers and acquisitions, maintaining high standards for such opportunities. Overall, the recent developments reflect a mix of analyst ratings and strategic initiatives, providing investors with diverse insights into Skyward Specialty’s financial trajectory.

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