W. R. Berkley Corporation Names Kenneth J. Berger President of Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers LLC

W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) today announced that Kenneth J. Berger has been named president of Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers LLC. The appointment is effective immediately. Mr. Berger succeeds Steven S. Zeitman, who has been appointed chairman and will remain chief executive officer.

Mr. Berger, who joined Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers in 2009 as president of the environmental division, has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. He previously served as a senior executive for several leading underwriters of environmental and specialty insurance.

William R. Berkley, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of W. R. Berkley Corporation, said: “Ken’s combination of leadership qualities and a deep understanding of the specialty insurance market make him an ideal choice for the future. Steve has been a key contributor to Berkley Specialty’s success since it was formed in 2004, and we look forward to his continued involvement in our enterprise.”

Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers is an underwriting management company providing a complete portfolio of commercial property casualty insurance products to the entertainment, sports and environmental industries. Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers underwrites on behalf of Nautilus Insurance Company and Great Divide Insurance Company, member companies of W. R. Berkley Corporation, both of which have an A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Excellent) and a Financial Size Category of X (adjusted policyholders' surplus of $500 million to $750 million).

For further information about the products and services available from Berkley Specialty Underwriting Managers, please visit www.berkleysum.com.

Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates in five segments of the property casualty insurance business: specialty insurance, regional property casualty insurance, alternative markets, reinsurance and international.