Burns & Wilcox Appoints Scott Higgins as Executive Vice President of Commercial Insurance
Burns & Wilcox has appointed Scott Higgins as executive vice president, commercial insurance. Higgins joins the company after more than 30 years at Travelers, where he held various leadership roles across different business lines and geographic regions. Since 2016, he served as president of middle market, national property, and business insurance field organization, leading teams and managing relationships across North American operations.
In his new role, Higgins will oversee commercial insurance operations across North America and report directly to company president Danny Kaufman. Kaufman stated that Higgins brings extensive experience across multiple sectors and has built lasting relationships within the insurance industry. Higgins is expected to support the development of Burns & Wilcox’s commercial portfolio and contribute to broader strategic initiatives.
As part of the executive team, Higgins will work closely with senior leadership at H.W. Kaufman Group and heads of business units across the organization’s global network. His responsibilities will include leading commercial strategy, enhancing client and market engagement, and identifying opportunities to improve operational performance. He will also oversee recruitment efforts and explore potential acquisitions aligned with the company’s growth plans.
Higgins described his appointment as an opportunity to join a company focused on expansion. Burns & Wilcox, as a privately held and family-operated business, is investing in its workforce, technology, and professional development to support long-term objectives. Higgins’ appointment aligns with the company’s strategy to improve its footprint in the commercial insurance market, a key segment of the broader property and casualty industry in North America.
The commercial insurance market has experienced shifting conditions due to inflation, increased litigation activity, climate-related exposures, and changing economic trends. Mergers, acquisitions, and talent acquisition remain central to growth strategies, particularly among firms expanding their capabilities in specialized or underserved markets.
