United Risk has signed an agreement to acquire DUAL North America’s Crisis Management program and its underwriting team. Hayden Smith, CEO of United Risk, announced the transaction, which is expected to close early in 2026.
Following completion, the Crisis Management unit will be renamed First Product Protection and will operate as an independent division within United Risk. The acquisition expands United Risk’s offerings to include Product Recall and Contaminated Products coverage.
The program targets several classes of business, including food and beverage, transportation such as aviation, aerospace, rail, and auto, as well as consumer and industrial electronics and appliances. Additional target markets include communications equipment, sporting and recreational equipment, clothing apparel, footwear, toys, and furniture.
Leadership and Operational Continuity
Mark LeBlanc and Robley Moor, who founded the Crisis Management program, are expected to assume leadership roles within First Product Protection. Smith stated that program leadership, underwriting staff, and claims personnel will join United Risk, which will allow for uninterrupted operations for brokers and insureds.
Jamie Sahara, chairman of United Risk, said the acquisition reflects the organization’s focus on quality and diversification. He noted that First Product Protection complements United Risk’s existing program management capabilities and lines of business while strengthening relationships with fronts, reinsurers, brokers, and Lloyd’s.
Strategic Focus for DUAL North America
John Johnson, CEO of DUAL North America, described the transaction as part of DUAL’s broader strategy to concentrate on core growth areas. These areas include commercial property, casualty, financial lines, and emerging specialty markets. Johnson said the Crisis Management team has built a strong business over several years and expressed confidence in its continued performance under United Risk.
Johnson also noted that United Risk has served as a partner to DUAL and characterized the transaction as a strong strategic fit for the business.
Executive Backgrounds
LeBlanc will be based at United Risk’s headquarters at 50 Rockefeller Plaza in New York. He has 25 years of experience in product contamination, product recall, security risk management, and crisis management. His previous roles include Managing Principal and Global Head of Crisis Management at DUAL Group, Senior Vice President and Head of Crisis Management at Swiss Re, and Vice President of Crisis Management at Crum & Forster. He has also held underwriting and brokerage roles at CV Starr, Hiscox, Marsh, and AIG.
Moor will be based in United Risk’s London office and brings more than 25 years of specialty underwriting and insurance leadership experience. His background includes leadership roles at DUAL UK and DUAL North America, as well as underwriting positions at Swiss Re America and Swiss Re Corporate Solutions. He previously served as Head of North American Casualty with responsibility for product leadership in the United States and Canada. Moor is a graduate of St. Lawrence University and The London School of Economics.
Transaction Details
First Product Protection will be headquartered in New York at United Risk’s offices at 50 Rockefeller Center. Howden Capital Markets & Advisory acted as the exclusive financial advisor to DUAL North America on the transaction.
United Risk Global operates as an international property and casualty underwriting and distribution platform. The organization is independently owned and operated by its practice partners and is affiliated with Applied Underwriters operationally and through a shared brand identity.
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