Amwins Company Profile

Background

Amwins, established in 1998 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a leading global specialty insurance distributor. The company is dedicated to providing innovative insurance solutions that address complex and evolving risks. With a mission to deliver unparalleled expertise and service, Amwins operates across various sectors, including property and casualty (P&C) and group benefits, solidifying its significance in the insurance industry.

Key Strategic Focus

Amwins' strategic focus encompasses several core objectives:

Brokerage Services: Handling challenging placements and unique opportunities across all lines, including property, casualty, professional lines, and alternative risk solutions.

Small Accounts: Through Amwins Access, the company offers a nationwide binding platform for small P&C businesses, focusing on E&S binding authority placements for small enterprises, personal lines, and admitted placement services.

Underwriting: Amwins Underwriting comprises specialists who leverage proprietary technology to provide tailored coverage solutions, utilizing insightful data and analytics to meet unique client needs.

Global Risks: Serving clients in over 150 countries, Amwins Global Risks places specialty insurance and reinsurance coverage, leveraging an expansive market network to secure solutions for complex risks.

Group Benefits: Amwins Group Benefits focuses on assisting benefit brokers and consultants by expanding product and service offerings, including access to specialty benefit insurance products, robust benefit administration, and program management.

The company targets a diverse range of industries, including construction, energy, environmental, healthcare, hospitality and entertainment, life sciences, manufacturing and distribution, public entity, real estate, and transportation.

Financials and Funding

As of December 2024, Amwins reported annual revenue exceeding $5 billion, demonstrating robust financial health and stability. The company has a history of strategic acquisitions to fuel growth, including the recent acquisition of Superior Underwriters in January 2025.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Amwins distinguishes itself through the integration of advanced technological platforms and innovative methodologies:

Proprietary Technologies: The company utilizes proprietary, cutting-edge technology to deliver tailored coverage solutions, leveraging insightful data and analytics to meet unique client needs.

Alternative Risk Solutions: Amwins offers non-traditional insurance solutions, including parametric structures, captives, insurance-linked securities, reinsurance, and Bermuda market solutions, continuously exploring state-of-the-art insurance solutions for clients.

Leadership Team

Amwins' leadership comprises seasoned professionals with extensive industry experience:

Scott Purviance: Chief Executive Officer since May 2018, Purviance has been with Amwins since 2001, previously serving as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. He began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and holds a BS in Accounting from Wake Forest University.

M. Steven DeCarlo: Executive Chair since May 2018, DeCarlo served as CEO for 17 years, leading the company through significant growth. He has a background in accounting and has held leadership roles at Crum & Forster and Royal Specialty Underwriting.

Ben Sloop: Appointed President in January 2025, succeeding James Drinkwater, who transitioned to Vice Chair. Sloop's leadership is expected to drive the company's strategic initiatives forward.

Kristin Downey: Chief Administrative Officer, responsible for developing and implementing people strategies, overseeing compensation and benefits, human resource systems, payroll, employee relations, talent management, training and development, and marketing and communications.

Leadership Changes

In January 2025, Ben Sloop was appointed President, succeeding James Drinkwater, who transitioned to Vice Chair. This leadership change reflects Amwins' commitment to strategic growth and operational excellence.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The specialty insurance distribution market is characterized by significant growth potential, driven by increasing demand for tailored insurance solutions across various industries. Amwins, as the largest independent wholesale distributor of specialty insurance products in the U.S., plays a pivotal role in this dynamic landscape.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors include:

RT Specialty: Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, RT Specialty operates in the life and health insurance industry, generating approximately $2.5 billion less revenue than Amwins.

Leavitt Group: Established in 1952 and based in Cedar City, Utah, Leavitt Group operates in the insurance brokers industry, with approximately 6,375 fewer employees than Amwins.

PEMCO: Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, and founded in 1949, PEMCO operates within the insurance brokers sector, generating 18% of Amwins's revenue.