Brown & Brown shifts retail leadership as Barrett Brown takes leave

Brown & Brown announced Monday that it has appointed Steve Hearn president of its retail segment, succeeding Barrett Brown, who is taking a personal leave of absence.

The company did not give additional details about why Mr. Brown is stepping down. He is the brother of President and CEO J. Powell Brown.

Mr. Hearn will continue as chief operating officer, the company said.

Mr. Hearn, a veteran insurance brokerage executive, joined Brown & Brown last year, was named COO in February and last month took on responsibilities for its operations outside the United States. That appointment came after several other executive changes following the brokerage’s August acquisition of Accession Risk Management.

Mr. Hearn initially will divide his time between London and Brown & Brown’s headquarters in Daytona Beach, Florida, and will be based full-time in the U.S. once work visa approvals are obtained, the company said.

Barrett Brown was named president of the retail segment in 2020.