ICW Group adds Jake Sokol as Head of Excess Casualty

ICW Group Insurance Companies, a group of property and casualty insurers, has appointed Jake Sokol as Head of Excess Casualty for its newly established specialty products business unit, ICW Specialty.

The new business unit includes VerTerra Insurance, ICW Group’s Excess and Surplus lines carrier.

In his new role, Sokol will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Excess Casualty division, which is expected to launch next year.

Additionally, aligning with ICW Group’s broader diversification growth strategy, he will also spearhead product innovation, guide underwriting strategies, and cultivate top talent to deliver Excess Casualty to market.

Sokol and his team will be based out of Atlanta, alongside Tracey Estes, the newly appointed Chief Underwriting Officer of ICW Specialty.

Sokol has over 20 years of expertise in Excess Casualty underwriting and strategic portfolio management. Most recently, he served as Vice President and Head of National Accounts, Excess Casualty at Everest Insurance, managing an Excess Casualty portfolio and leading a team of underwriters across the US.

He has also held senior roles at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions and C.V. Starr, where he led product development, national marketing initiatives, and managed Large Account and Commercial Excess Casualty portfolios.

Estes commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Jake Sokol as the Head of Excess Casualty at ICW Specialty. Jake brings deep expertise in the excess casualty marketplace and embodies a people-first leadership style that inspires and empowers high-performing teams.

“His ability to shape culture, foster collaboration, and drive innovation makes him the perfect leader to launch our first specialty insurance product. With Jake at the helm, we are building more than a product—we are building a culture of excellence that will define the future of ICW Specialty.”

Sokol added, “I am honored to join ICW Group’s distinguished leadership team at a pivotal moment in the company’s journey. With a clear vision for strategic growth, we are laying the foundation for a world-class specialty E&S platform, beginning with our Excess Casualty product line.

“Our mission is to deliver exceptional experiences through deep relationships, thoughtful innovation, and lasting value. I am especially proud and excited to build upon the people-first culture that ICW Group has cultivated over its 53-year history—an enduring legacy that places employees, partners, and policyholders at the center of everything we do.”