Independent claims adjuster CRU Group has continued its Canadian expansion with the establishment of a new business unit in Edmonton, Alberta.
The new daily claims unit will be headed up by Russ Fitzgerald (pictured above), who will serve as both senior vice-president and North American director of transportation. He will receive support from Brian Ward (pictured below), who was recently appointed senior adjuster.
In a statement, new chief executive officer David Repinski said that the creation of the new unit was a “carefully planned strategic initiative” and added a new segment to the firm’s Canadian positions in catastrophe services and its specialty claims subsidiary, Maltman International.
“Opening a new office and division in these times is thrilling because it shows our continued growth not only in western Canada but across the country as well,” Repinski said. “The addition of Russ and Brian signal a new era of daily claims services expansion for CRU Group that will continue in other key markets across Canada.”
Fitzgerald brings a combined 29 years of industry experience both as an independent adjuster and working for the firm. He will serve as a practice leader for transportation-related claims services across North America and will work closely with colleagues in Canada and the US to deliver cross-border services.
Fitzgerald will also sit on the senior leadership team and be responsible for developing the company’s daily property and casualty (P&C) claims capabilities across Canada. He will be reporting directly to Repinski.
“I am very excited to work with CRU Group in this exciting new role,” Fitzgerald said. “I believe we have an opportunity to build on the superior reputation that CRU Group has built over the years and create a customer-focused adjusting company spanning the entire country that will be steps ahead of the competition.”
Ward, meanwhile, will be tasked with developing CRU firm’s daily P&C claims capabilities across Canada. He boasts more than 30 years of industry experience with several loss adjusting firms. Ward will specialize in transportation-related claims and will likewise work with colleagues in Canada and the US to help deliver cross-border services. He will report to Fitzgerald.
“I look forward to the challenges that this new position brings with CRU Group, as well as the excitement of helping build a new division with Russ,” Ward said.
