Profile
“I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
Kenneth J. Berger embarked on his academic pursuits in the early 1980s with a marine geology degree, later deepening his expertise with graduate work studying Caribbean coral reefs. At the time, the conventional wisdom was that a graduate degree guaranteed a great job in the oil and gas business. Economic shifts upended conventional thinking and led him to answer an AIG ad in the Chicago Tribune for an environmental underwriter. Berger became a key team member in developing groundbreaking contractor pollution and environmental professional insurance to meet the needs of a growing environmental services industry.
By 1990, his skills took him to Corroon & Black’s newly formed environmental practice group in Nashville, TN. A couple of years later, he was fortunate to be recruited by Zurich Insurance leaders launching a specialty insurance business in NY. Under his leadership for over 16 years, Zurich Environmental became a top underwriter of environmental risks. Berger’s tenure at Berkley has been equally transformative; he elevated Berkley Environmental from a start-up to an industry leader over the last 14 years.
Berger’s visionary approach emphasized coordination and constant communication between all functions, especially claims, underwriting, and risk engineering, resulting in superior customer experiences and profitable growth. A true pioneer, Berger introduced the concept of integrating specialty environmental products with traditional casualty lines, capturing thousands of customers and loyal producers. Among his many innovations, one standout was establishing a dedicated sales team exclusively for the environmental sector, addressing the need for external relationship-building.
Berger approached a variety of risks, such as climate change, remediation costs, and financial responsibility, with a science-based view, seeking the best technical talent to pursue new solutions. Many worked, some didn’t; recognizing the difference is a key skill he promotes with all his insurance professionals. Berger’s commitment to team building and nurturing talent remains a core principle to meet the needs of customers and succeed in a challenging business environment.
101 Hudson Street, Suite 2550, Jersey City, NJ 07302
800 259 2560
kberger@berkleyenvironmental.com
linkedin.com/in/ken-berger-64211613
berkleyenvironmental.com
Kenneth J. Berger
President
Berkley Environmental
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“To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need”
Ken Dixon,
Dixon Insurance Services
1986–1990
1990–1992
1992–2009
2009–present
2023
Underwriter at AIG
1986–
1990
Vice President at Willis Towers Watson
1990–
1992
Executive Vice President at Zurich Insurance Group
1992–
2009
President at Berkley Environmental
2009–
present
Secured $900 million in investments to fuel PCF Insurance’s ongoing expansion
2023
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
How does he distinguish himself among fellow brokers?
“I believe all brokers are working very hard in a difficult market,” he says. “However, I have demonstrated continued growth, advocacy and performance on my client’s behalf, which is now recognised [for 10 consecutive years] in the Elite Broker awards.”
In 1990, Dixon got started with FAI, working in claims and as a team leader. From the late 1990s up until 2003, he worked at FAI and Suncorp in underwriting and as an area manager at VACC, CGU (South East Queensland). From 2003 to 2012, he got into broking and eventually started Dixon Insurance in 2013. Since then, he’s accumulated numerous acccolades, including Elite Broker, Diversity and Equity, and Fast Broker awards.
During the pandemic, Dixon challenged insurers over the Quarantine Act application to insurance wordings. His argument was that the Quarantine Act does not apply as an exclusion, as the Biosecurity Act was invoked by the Morrison Government, and this was not a subsequent amendment to the Quarantine Act. The test case in the Appeals court was won for Dixon’s client with a unanimous five-judge verdict.
He remains focused on transport, manufacturing, motor trade, engineering and large farm clients.
What are his plans for the future?
On a business level, “more of the same. I will continue to empower and encourage my staff to perform at their best as I have done for the last decade. I will continue to advocate for my clients, embracing new technology and being open to business and industry changes.”
On a personal level, Dixon invests significant time, effort and funds, along with his GT3, to support many charities through his passion for motorsport. From participating in and sponsoring the Thunderbolt Run (which provides tens of thousands of dollars in support for Beyond Blue and Prostate Cancer), to organising and running the Track Knights for Amira charity night where 28 Exotic Supercars raised funds through passenger laps in wet conditions, Dixon states “this is our time to give back to the community and those in need. My friendships and association with those seeking to do the same, allows us to contribute to those less fortunate and raise funds and awareness”.
He adds: “To be able to give back to the community is rewarding and fulfilling. I am honoured to be in a position where I can raise funds for those less fortunate and in need.”
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