Origin Specialty Underwriters, a leading national MGA in the restaurant and hospitality space and member company of the Beyond Risk group of companies, announced today the following transitions and appointments in its executive management team:
- Dan Djordjevic, Founder and President of Origin Specialty, will be transitioning to the role of Chairman on May 1, 2023, and will continue to be involved in strategic initiatives. Dan founded Origin Specialty in 2018, building upon his 35+ years of experience owning and managing an MGA and working for carriers.
- Neno Djordjevic, Executive Vice President and Director of Business Development will be promoted to President on May 1, 2023, assuming overall leadership responsibility for Origin Specialty’s day-to-day operations and managing the company’s carrier and reinsurance relationships. Neno has logged over 16 years of experience in the MGA and specialty insurance arenas, having previously been in charge of operations and program development for multiline commercial programs for the restaurant and hospitality industry, as well as specialty workers’ compensation, before joining with Dan in 2018 to build Origin Specialty.
- Charlie Acosta, an accomplished industry veteran with over 20 years of experience in primary and excess Casualty underwriting management at AIG, has joined Origin Specialty and been appointed Vice President and Head of Underwriting as of April 3, 2023. Before joining Origin Specialty, Charlie was Senior Executive Director and Head of Insurance at StrongArm Tech. As Head of Underwriting at Origin Specialty, Charlie will be responsible for maintaining the company’s exceptional underwriting results and performance by overseeing the company’s underwriting and loss control departments and driving Origin Specialty’s growth in new lines of coverage and alternative risk-driven products.
“Dan Djordjevic was instrumental in founding Origin Specialty, building upon his decades of experience as a leader in the industry, and spearheading the company’s growth through continuous product development, innovation, and underwriting excellence,” said Blake Wakefield, CEO of Beyond Risk. “We sincerely thank Dan for his leadership and determination in making Origin what it is today. We are also excited about the momentum that he leaves, as the company is well positioned for continued profitable growth and serving the interests of all our stakeholders with Neno Djordjevic serving as President and with us welcoming Charlie Acosta as Head of Underwriting,” he added.
Dan Djordjevic said: “I am honored to have had the opportunity to create and lead this strong and trusted brand and proud to be a part of Origin’s history. Today, we have the right mix of talent, products, and capabilities to succeed. I am confident in the experience of Origin Specialty’s leaders and look forward to seeing them continue to excel in the marketplace.”
“I am excited to welcome Charlie Acosta to our executive team as Head of Underwriting, given his vast underwriting and management experience, and I am confident that with his vision and character, we will continue to deliver results to our carrier and reinsurance partners to the insurance marketplace that we have served for so long, as well as to the employees and professionals who define our organization and make us what we are,” stated Neno Djordjevic, incoming President.
Charlie Acosta, Head of Underwriting, added: “I look forward to building from the strong foundation of people, expertise, and capabilities at Origin Specialty and continuing to deliver the results and service our partners expect from us.”
In addition to the above, Origin Specialty has also announced the following internal promotion to its executive team:
- Ruth Aguilera, Accounting Manager, who has served in various accounting roles within Origin Specialty for over four years, has been promoted to Director of Accounting as she assumes greater responsibilities within her department.
Founded in 2018, Origin Specialty is a nationwide MGA underwriting risks in the restaurant and hospitality, excavation contracting classes, offering primary and excess casualty, and package policies with property cover, backed by leading US and international reinsurers. Beyond Risk LP acquired the company in October 2021 and is a vital part of the Beyond Risk family of companies.