Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance acquires 12.5% of W. R. Berkley

Japanese non-life insurer Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (MSI) has acquired 12.5% of the outstanding common shares of W. R. Berkley Corporation, an American insurance holding company. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.

This development follows an agreement signed on 28 March 2025 between MSI and the Berkley family, which authorized MSI to acquire up to 15% of Berkley shares exclusively on the open market or from third parties.

It is worth noting that none of the shares were purchased from the Berkley family, which has retained its full ownership stake.

The agreement further stipulates that once MSI reaches at least 12.5% of W. R. Berkley’s outstanding shares, the Berkley family will propose appointing an MSI representative to the company’s Board of Directors.

With this acquisition, MSI aims to strengthen its position in the U.S. insurance market.