Jewelers Mutual Insurance Co. has named insurance veteran Scott Murphy to replace president and chief executive officer (CEO) Darwin Copeman, who will be retiring in 2015.
Murphy, who formerly served as an executive partner and principal in the insurance industry consulting group, Triad Analytic Solutions, begins his new role in January. Copeman has led the company since 2009.
“Jewelers Mutual’s board of directors is unique in that it includes representation from both the jewellery industry and the insurance industry, making it a strong leadership team for a company so deeply connected throughout the industry it serves,” said board chair, Mark Fiebrink.
“We expect Scott Murphy is going to be a terrific asset to the company, leading Jewelers Mutual into its next century of success.”
According to Fiebrink, the board was especially impressed by Murphy’s innovative and enthusiastic leadership style. He previously served as chief operating officer (COO) at GMAC Insurance, and held executive or management positions within Infinity Insurance and Windsor Insurance Group.
Copeman says he is confident in the board’s choice.
“I was very pleased to learn our board of directors had selected Scott,” he said. “As the jewellery industry continues to thrive and change, I think his abilities to cultivate new ideas and approaches to insurance will be particularly well-suited to serving and protecting the jewellery industry and jewellery owners.
“I am so proud of my time at Jewelers Mutual, and I’m thankful for the amazing people I have had the honour to work with, including our associates, our talented agents and, most of all, the policyholder members who trust Jewelers Mutual to protect them. I’m truly blessed to have led such an amazing company, and I look forward to Jewelers Mutual’s continued success.”
Murphy says he was attracted to Jewelers Mutual because of its strong reputation, its solid financial performance, and the chance to focus on a particularly diverse niche industry.
“The more I learn about Jewelers Mutual, the more excited I am to join this great company,” he said. “Its roots run deep in the jewellery industry, and I am looking forward to leading a company with such a strong commitment to its members.”
