The Hanover Insurance Group has announced a planned leadership transition, with President and Chief Executive Officer John “Jack” C. Roche set to retire at the end of 2026 after a 40-year career in the insurance industry.

The company’s Board of Directors has appointed Richard “Dick” W. Lavey, currently Chief Operating Officer and President of Hanover Agency Markets, as CEO-elect. Lavey will work alongside Roche over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition before assuming the chief executive role on January 1, 2027.

Roche, 62, joined The Hanover in 2006 and became President and CEO in 2017. During his tenure, the insurer said it delivered record operating earnings, strong shareholder returns and strengthened its position in the independent agency market. He also serves as vice chair of The Institutes’ Board of Trustees and sits on the board of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA).

Lavey joined The Hanover in 2004 and has held several senior leadership positions during his 22 years with the company. As Chief Operating Officer, he has overseen the transformation of the insurer’s operating model, while in his role as President of Hanover Agency Markets he leads the commercial and personal lines businesses, which together account for approximately 75% of the company’s US$7 billion in consolidated gross written premium.

Earlier in his career at The Hanover, Lavey served as Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Growth Innovation Officer, President of Personal Lines and President of the Northeast region. Before joining the insurer, he held leadership positions at The Hartford and The Travelers Insurance Company.

Board Chair Cynthia L. Egan said Roche had transformed the business during his leadership and that Lavey was well positioned to lead the company’s next phase of growth.

“Dick is an accomplished executive whose deep experience spans the insurance and technology industries. His impressive contributions have been central in the successful expansion of the company’s strategy, shaping The Hanover into a leading partner for independent agents and a top-performing company.”

Roche said the business was in a strong financial position and expressed confidence in his successor.

“Having worked closely with Dick for more than two decades, I have complete confidence in his leadership and his ability to guide our company forward. Together, we will ensure a seamless and successful transition.”

Lavey said he looked forward to building on the company’s momentum.

“I am honored to lead our organization at such a transformative time in our business. I am energized to continue our momentum to accelerate growth, drive performance and deliver lasting value for our stakeholders.”

The planned succession provides leadership continuity for The Hanover, with the company opting for an internal appointment after more than two decades of executive development. The move follows a wider trend across the insurance sector, where insurers are increasingly promoting long-serving executives with operational and technology expertise to lead businesses through continued digital transformation and evolving market conditions.