Bill Cotter Named New President and CEO of Physicians Insurance Following retirement of Mary‐Lou Misrahy

Physicians Insurance A Mutual Company has announced that William Cotter has been named President and CEO of the company and its affiliates. He starts at the company in August 2019.

Bill comes to Physicians Insurance from Allied World Assurance Company where he’s spent the last 11 years, most recently serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Underwriting Officer, Professional Liability – North America. While at Allied, Bill also had prior oversight for the development and management of Allied World’s insurance operations in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia as the Executive Vice President of the Asia‐Pacific region for more than 7 years.

Prior to joining Allied World, Bill held a succession of management roles at CIGNA International and AIG. Earned an MBA from both London Business School (University of London) and Columbia Business School (Columbia University) as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College.

“The Board was committed to choosing the best candidate for the job, considering multiple elements and candidate qualifications,” said Dr. Ralph Rossi, Chair of the Succession Committee appointed by the Physicians Insurance Board of Directors. “The Board was wholly aligned on finding the best candidate to keep the positive momentum of our existing strategies in place while building toward the future.”

The Board understood the need for continuity of the company’s current strategic plan and the positive momentum it has created. “Bill understands and supports this approach,” says Dr. David Carlson, Chair of the Board of Directors at Physicians Insurance. “At the same time, the arrival of a new CEO is a big change for any company. For now, it’s business as usual, continuing to execute on the strategies we have in place. We still have goals to meet, initiatives to achieve, and projects to complete.” The company is well underway in a multi‐year strategic plan that takes it through 2020, is financially strong, and has very capable executive and leadership teams, and a Board of Directors that together will ensure continuity and focus.

Nearly a year ago, Mary‐Lou Misrahy announced that she planned to retire. During the transition, Mary‐Lou will continue to serve Physicians Insurance in the role of President and CEO Emeritus to provide guidance and see through to completion certain strategic initiatives. In addition, she will continue to serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Medical Professional Liability Association through May 2020.


 

I’m very excited about the opportunity to lead Physicians Insurance.  I look forward to building on the company’s strong position and guiding it into its next successful era. We have a talented and committed team here, and I look forward to our future accomplishments together.

William Cotter
CEO