01—Abstract
Summary
Summary of the 8-K filed June 10, 2026. Cited figures are marked; the original filing is the authoritative source.
W.
R. Berkley Corporation filed this Form 8-K to report that its founder and Executive Chairman, William R. Berkley, passed away on June 9, 2026, at the age of 80.
The company issued a press release on that date announcing his passing, attached as Exhibit 99.1. The press release describes him as having founded the Company in 1967 and built it over nearly six decades into a Fortune 500 company and one of the world's leading commercial insurance organizations. In connection with his passing, the Board of Directors appointed W.
Robert Berkley, Jr., the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, as Chairman. The press release states that the appointment is effective immediately. The filing does not disclose any change to Mr. Berkley, Jr.'s role as CEO or any other financial or operational changes.
For investors, the filing is primarily a governance and leadership update: the company's founder is no longer serving as Executive Chairman, and the CEO now also holds the Chairman title. The filing contains no financial results, guidance, or quantitative figures.
02—Key points
Key Highlights
- William R. Berkley, founder and Executive Chairman, passed away on June 9, 2026, at age 80.
- The Board of Directors appointed W. Robert Berkley, Jr., President and CEO, as Chairman, effective immediately.
- Mr. Berkley founded the Company in 1967, which the press release describes as a Fortune 500 company and one of the world's leading commercial insurance organizations.
- The Company operates two property casualty insurance segments: Insurance and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess.
- The company describes itself as among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States.
- The filing reports no financial results, guidance, or quantitative financial figures.
03—Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is leading W. R. Berkley following this announcement?
W. Robert Berkley, Jr., who serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, was appointed Chairman by the Board of Directors, effective immediately. The filing does not indicate any change to his CEO role.
What is the business of W. R. Berkley Corporation?
The press release describes W. R. Berkley as an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States. It operates two segments of the property casualty insurance business: Insurance and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess.
Does this filing include financial results or guidance?
No. The filing addresses the passing of the founder and the leadership change only. It contains no financial results, guidance, or quantitative financial information.
Who was William R. Berkley?
He was the founder and Executive Chairman of W. R. Berkley Corporation. The press release states that he founded the Company in 1967 and built it into a Fortune 500 company over nearly six decades, and that he was active in supporting education and healthcare.
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