Tokio Marine HCC appoints ex-Travelers head as new cyber business lead

Tokio Marine HCC’s cyber and professional lines group (CPLG) has appointed Brian Alva as senior vice president of underwriting to lead its cyber business.

Tokio Marine HCC said that in his new role, Alva will “focus on strengthening CPLG’s cyber underwriting capabilities, developing talent, advancing portfolio and product strategy and deepening alignment across underwriting, claims, actuarial, data science, risk services and distribution”.

Alva joins the business from Travelers, where he most recently served as vice president of the firm’s speciality cyber division. His 15 years of industry experience also includes time spent in senior and leadership positions at Corvus Insurance and NAS Insurance Services.

The firm added that it was strengthening its cyber leadership amid plans to “advance its strategy for disciplined, profitable growth and differentiated cyber risk solutions”.

Deep expertise

Michael Palotay, chief executive at CPLG, said: “Alva’s combination of deep technical underwriting expertise, cyber market perspective and proven leadership makes him an exceptional addition to CPLG. He understands that the future of cyber insurance requires more than strong risk selection.

“It requires bringing together underwriting, claims, data, technology, risk services and distribution to deliver better outcomes for our brokers and policyholders. We are excited to have Alva help shape the next chapter of CPLG’s cyber business.”

The new appointee added: “Cyber risk continues to evolve at extraordinary speed and the opportunity for CPLG is to combine underwriting excellence with the data, technology and services needed to stay ahead of that change.

“I am excited to join CPLG and return to an organisation I know well, working alongside a strong team to build on its deep specialty expertise, strengthen broker relationships and deliver thoughtful, sustainable solutions for cyber risk.”