Global claims management firm Crawford & Company has two new leaders at the top. The company announced today that the current global COO Rohit Verma (pictured) will take on the chief executive officer role, while Joseph Blanco, currently the company’s general counsel, will become president, both effective May 15.
Verma and Blanco will take over from Harsha V. Agadi, who has served as Crawford’s CEO and president for the past five years. He will transition to the board as a director where he has served since 2010.
“After approximately 10 years on the Crawford board, I continue to be truly excited about the company and its future as the next generation of leadership with seasoned and client-centric leaders like Rohit and Joseph take over Crawford & Company,” said Agadi. “I am humbled by the board’s invitation to continue to serve on the board of the company.”
Charlie Ogburn, the non-executive chairman of the board, added: “I am very pleased with this planned and orderly transition of leadership at Crawford & Company as we turn the page into the next chapter for the company.”
Verma has been with the claims giant for almost three years and joined Crawford in July 2017 from Zurich Insurance. He will continue to be based in the Atlanta area.
“Rohit’s passion for clients and employees, combined with a strategic sense of purpose and innovation, is a rare combination to have in a leader in our industry and it is the right moment for him to lead Crawford & Company,” said Agadi.
Meanwhile, Blanco will take over as president after being with the company for almost four years. He will report to Verma and have responsibility over all shared services functions in the company, with the exception of the CFO function which will continue to report to the CEO, according to a press release.
Before Crawford & Company, Blanco was the managing partner of the Atlanta office of the international law firm Dentons.
“I am honored to serve in this leadership role partnering with Rohit to execute on our mission of restoring and enhancing lives, business and communities. I look forward to working with our global team to utilize our eight decades of experience and capabilities to deliver on our mission in evolving and creative ways,” said Blanco.
