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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 9, 2026
| | | | | |
Commission File Number | 1-15202 |
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Delaware | | 22-1867895 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | | |
| 475 Steamboat Road | Greenwich | Connecticut | 06830 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | | | (Zip Code) |
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
| | | | | | | | |
| None | |
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report. |
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Title of Each Class | | Trading Symbol | | Name of Each Exchange
on Which Registered |
| Common Stock, par value $.20 per share | | WRB | | New York Stock Exchange |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| 5.700% Subordinated Debentures due 2058 | | WRB-PE | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 5.100% Subordinated Debentures due 2059 | | WRB-PF | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 4.250% Subordinated Debentures due 2060 | | WRB-PG | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 4.125% Subordinated Debentures due 2061 | | WRB-PH | | New York Stock Exchange |
| | | | |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐
W. R. Berkley Corporation 2
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
W. R. Berkley Corporation 3
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On June 9, 2026, W. R. Berkley Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the passing of the Company’s founder and Executive Chairman, William R. Berkley. The press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
In connection therewith, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed W. Robert Berkley, Jr., the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, as Chairman.
W. R. Berkley Corporation 4
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit 99.1 Press Release, issued June 9, 2026.
Exhibit 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
W. R. Berkley Corporation 5
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION
| | | | | | | | |
| By: | /s/ Richard M. Baio |
| Name: | Richard M. Baio |
| Title: | Executive Vice President - |
| | Chief Financial Officer |
| | |
Date: June 10, 2026
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | NEWS
RELEASE |
W. R. Berkley Corporation 475 Steamboat Road Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 (203) 629-3000 | |
| |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Karen A. Horvath
Vice President - External
Financial Communications
(203) 629-3000
W. R. BERKLEY CORPORATION ANNOUNCES THE PASSING OF ITS FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, WILLIAM R. BERKLEY
Greenwich, CT, June 9, 2026 -- W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) announced with deep sadness the passing of its founder and Executive Chairman, William R. Berkley, today at the age of 80.
Mr. Berkley founded the Company in 1967 and, over the course of nearly six decades, built it into a Fortune 500 company that is one of the world’s leading commercial insurance organizations. His vision, discipline, and unwavering commitment to an entrepreneurial culture focused on underwriting excellence and long-term results shaped the Company’s success and leaves an enduring imprint on both the Company and the insurance industry. He was a product of the American dream and had a strong desire to instill and support that dream in others.
W. Robert Berkley, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, said: “My father was more than an extraordinary leader and entrepreneur, whose vision and values shaped the Company. He was a father, best friend, and mentor to me and numerous colleagues, and his influence on us, our Company, and the broader industry and the countless lives he touched and enhanced is immeasurable.
“Beyond his business achievements, my father was deeply devoted to giving back to improve the lives of others. He particularly focused on education and healthcare. He generously supported educational institutions at all levels, reflecting his belief in expanding opportunity and fostering intellectual curiosity, and his conviction that opportunity and knowledge are fundamental to individual growth and societal progress.
“He was equally committed to advancing healthcare, supporting hospitals, research institutions, and community-based programs. He helped promote improvements in patient care and medical research, reflecting his compassion and commitment to benefiting others.
“While we are deeply saddened by his passing, we remain committed to carrying forward his values, culture, and long-term perspective. His philanthropic contributions will endure for generations through the many organizations and individuals he touched.”
The Board of Directors has appointed W. Robert Berkley, Jr. as Chairman, effective immediately.
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 two segments of the property casualty insurance business: Insurance and Reinsurance & Monoline Excess. For further information about W. R. Berkley Corporation, please visit www.berkley.com.
