Worldwide Broker Network WBN names Francie Starnes as CEO
June 2016
The Worldwide Broker Network (WBN) Board of Directors in June 2016 elected to name Francie Starnes as Chief Executive Officer of the world’s largest fully integrated international network of independent property & casualty insurance brokers and employee benefits consultants, effective in July 2016. Appointed WBN President and Chief Operating Officer a year ago, Starnes succeeds 40-year insurance industry veteran Bruce Basso, who becomes Chairman Emeritus.
Founded in 1989 and based in San Mateo, California, WBN has grown from 9 member firms in Western Europe to more than 100 firms spanning the globe and serving clients through approximately 500 offices on all six continents. For example, WBN has 30 members in the U.S., five in the UK, is represented in Canada by HUB International, in Germany by Suedvers/Profion and in France by Verlingue.
WBN generates an estimated $50 billion in P/C and employee benefits premiums annually. Its website can be found here.
Starnes previously had a 23-year career at American International Group (AIG), where she served in executive positions focusing on International Employee Benefits and new business development, targeting Fortune 500 multinationals. She replaces Bruce Basso, who came out of semi-retirement to lead WBN in 300% growth over the past five years. She is married with four children and is a graduate of Denison University.