Holborn Corporation has announced the next phase of its leadership succession, with Frank Harrison to retire as CEO and continue as Non-Executive Chairman, Adam Manus to become CEO, and Tim Releford to become President, effective 1 March 2027.
Harrison began his reinsurance career in 1982 and joined Holborn in 1989. He developed into a producer and broker before moving into executive leadership and becoming Chief Executive Officer in 2005, only the third CEO in the firm’s 107-year history.
During his tenure, Holborn converted to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), expanded its geographic footprint and analytical capabilities, and evolved its client-service model from individual account ownership to a collaborative, company-wide approach.
Under Harrison’s leadership, Holborn’s revenues have increased more than tenfold since becoming an ESOP, substantially all through organic growth.
As Non-Executive Chairman, Harrison will continue to serve at board level, providing strategic counsel and institutional knowledge while relinquishing responsibility for the firm’s day-to-day management.
Harrison said, “I leave the CEO position with enormous confidence because I know the people who are taking responsibility for Holborn’s future. The names and titles at the top will change. The Holborn Way will not.”
Both Manus and Releford have spent their entire professional careers at the independent reinsurance broker and together bring approximately 55 years of Holborn experience to their new positions.
Manus joined Holborn in 1993 as a Broker Analyst and ultimately rose to President.
Releford joined in 2004 and has played a central role in developing Holborn’s financial and catastrophe-modelling capabilities.
In their new leadership roles, Manus and Releford will remain directly involved with clients and work alongside Holborn’s broking teams on client accounts.
Harrison commented, “Succession should be built into the institution. We have spent years preparing for this moment—not simply identifying new leaders but building a company that can perpetuate itself while preserving the values and culture that have defined Holborn for more than a century.
“Adam and Tim understand Holborn because they grew up professionally here. They understand our clients, our people, our culture and, most importantly, the responsibility that comes with being entrusted with someone else’s business.”
Manus said, “Frank’s greatest contribution to Holborn may ultimately be the institution he has helped build. We are independent, our employees own the company, and we are able to make decisions with a long-term perspective. Those fundamentals will not change. Tim and I now have the responsibility not simply to preserve them, but to build on them as we continue strengthening the capabilities we bring to our clients.”
Releford added, “The reinsurance business continues to become more complex, and our clients increasingly expect sophisticated analytics to complement market expertise and judgment. We will continue investing in those capabilities while preserving the personal attention, teamwork and accountability that have always distinguished Holborn.”
