Exclusive: Travelers’ cyber lead Francis joining Liberty Mutual as North America cyber head

By James Thaler

April 29 - (The Insurer) – Tim Francis has resigned from his post as Travelers’ enterprise cyber lead following two decades with the Connecticut-based carrier and is set to join Liberty Mutual as its new North America head of cyber, according to sources with direct knowledge of the situation.

He will be reporting to global head of cyber Patrick Thielen and chief underwriting officer at Liberty Mutual Global Risk Solutions, North America, Brandon Fick.

A well-known cyber industry figure and a regular speaker at cyber industry events, Francis served as vice president at Travelers, leading the insurer’s business insurance management and professional liability initiatives.

As enterprise cyber lead Francis had oversight of all of Travelers’ cyber product management, including products for businesses of all sizes, public entities and technology firms.

He has previously served as co-chair of NetDiligence’s Cyber Risk Summit.

Francis has also been a participant in the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Incident Data and Analysis Working Group, an ongoing private-public engagement that is examining how a cyber incident data repository could help meet the information requirements of insurers, CISOs and other cybersecurity professionals.

A spokesperson for Liberty Mutual confirmed the appointment. Travelers could not immediately be reached for comment.

Francis’ departure from Travelers is the second major cyber industry talent move in the past week, after The Insurer exclusively reported on Monday that Markel’s global executive underwriting officer for cyber, Kelly Castriotta, is leaving the Virginia-based insurer.