TORONTO, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Pat Van Bakel
has been appointed to the position of chief operating officer,
Crawford & Company (Canada)
Inc., the organization announced today.
Van Bakel has been with the
Company for more than 20 years and most recently served as senior
vice president, Operations, Insurer Markets. Starting his career as
an adjuster, Van Bakel has moved
through a number of management and special assignments with
increasing responsibilities that have positioned him well to take
on this new role. After several years of handling all lines of
claims, he became manager of Crawford's Mississauga and Oakville branches in 2001, and
moved on to become director of Accident Benefits in 2003.
In 2007, he was named vice president, Claims Operations, which
comprises all Crawford claims
branches across Canada. In
January 2008, he was named senior
vice president of this division. In his new role, he is responsible
for services supplied to the Canadian property and casualty
insurance market, including National Claims Services, Global
Technical Services, Global Marine Services, Catastrophe Services,
and Contractor Connection Services.
A graduate of Wilfred Laurier University with a bachelor degree
in economics, Van Bakel is a member
of many industry organizations and currently chairs and serves on
several institute committees. He is a Chartered Insurance
Professional (CIP) and has received formal management and
leadership training through the Schulich School of Business at
York University, Franklin Covey and the Niagara Institute.
"Pat has been an invaluable member of our team for many years,
and has shown great leadership skills and a strong dedication to
our mission and values," said John
Sharoun, chief executive officer of Crawford & Company
(Canada) Inc. "Crawford will benefit greatly from his
contributions to the Company in this new role."
About Crawford
Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc. (www.crawfordandcompany.ca) is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRDA;
CRDB). Based in Atlanta, Ga.,
Crawford & Company (www.crawfordandcompany.com) is the world's
largest independent provider of claims management solutions to the
risk management and insurance industry as well as self-insured
entities, with an expansive global network serving clients in more
than 70 countries. The Crawford System of Claims Solutions(SM)
offers comprehensive, integrated claims services, business process
outsourcing and consulting services for major product lines
including property and casualty claims management, workers
compensation claims and medical management, and legal settlement
administration. The Company's shares are traded on the NYSE under
the symbols CRDA and CRDB.
SOURCE Crawford & Company