By Chris Munro

March 6 - (The Insurer) - Nationwide E&S has launched a brokerage property unit that will focus on hard-to-place risks across various industries, with the new platform led by market veteran Tonya Courtney who joined the carrier from Arch Insurance late last year.

The E&S brokerage property unit is expected to open for business during the second half of this year, with the operation looking to develop tailored solutions for clients.

Nationwide’s new E&S brokerage property unit is a strategic initiative that the carrier said highlights its commitment to delivering solutions for the evolving and complex demands of the commercial market.

The insurer said the new division “aims to become a trusted partner for select brokers seeking innovative risk management solutions for their commercial property exposures”.

When live, Nationwide E&S said the new unit, which complements its existing brokerage casualty offering, will deliver a comprehensive suite of non-admitted wholesale products and services, designed to address high-risk scenarios requiring specialised underwriting expertise.

Courtney brings more than 30 years of commercial insurance experience to Nationwide. During her career, Courtney has managed complex property portfolios, fostered wholesale relationships and driven underwriting excellence, Nationwide said.

At Nationwide, Courtney reports into David Nelson, executive vice president, E&S wholesale.

“Tonya’s vision and proven track record make her the ideal leader to launch this important endeavor,” said Nelson.

“This initiative demonstrates our unwavering dedication to empowering businesses to navigate the unique challenges of the E&S property space with confidence and agility,” he added.

Prior to joining Nationwide, Courtney spent just over four years at Arch Insurance, most recently as regional vice president where she led the company’s Southeast E&S property team.

In that role, Courtney oversaw Arch Insurance’s underwriting strategy and delivery of wholesale property insurance products and services in the Southeast U.S.

Before moving to Arch Insurance in 2020, Courtney was at Chubb for almost 12 years, latterly as a vice president and regional property and marine underwriting manager for commercial insurance in the Southeast.

Courtney’s career also includes more than eight years at The Hartford.