Roche to retire after nearly two decades at The Hanover
The Hanover Insurance Group’s President and Chief Executive Officer, John “Jack” C. Roche, has announced that he will retire on December 31, 2026, after a 40-year insurance career. The company’s board has appointed Chief Operating Officer Richard “Dick” W. Lavey as CEO-elect to lead the transition.
Roche, 62, first joined The Hanover in 2006, becoming president and chief executive officer in 2017. According to the company, his tenure included record operating earnings, strong stock price appreciation, and a strengthened position in the independent agency distribution channel.
“The Board of Directors is deeply grateful to Jack for his outstanding leadership and the significant impact he’s made to The Hanover,” said Board Chair Cynthia L. Egan. “He has driven progress in every dimension of the company, not the least of which is working closely with the board and with Dick to ensure that we have an exceptional CEO to elevate the company to its next level.”
Roche said the company is well positioned for the future.
“I will retire at the end of the year with tremendous pride in all our organization has accomplished,” Roche said. “The company is in a strong financial position and has the exceptional talent needed to drive our business forward. 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.”
In addition to leading The Hanover, Roche serves as vice chair of the board of trustees for The Institutes, is a member of the board of directors of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and serves on the board of overseers of St. John’s University Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science.
Lavey named CEO-elect
Lavey, 59, joined The Hanover in 2004 and has held a series of executive leadership positions during his 22 years with the company. He currently serves as chief operating officer, overseeing the strategic transformation of the company’s operating model and the partnership between its business and technology functions.
As president of Hanover Agency Markets, Lavey oversees the company’s core commercial and personal lines businesses, which together account for 75% of The Hanover’s $7 billion in consolidated gross premiums written.
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 company’s Northeast region.
Egan said Lavey’s experience positions him to lead the insurer’s next phase of growth.
“Dick is an accomplished executive whose deep experience spans the insurance and technology industries,” Egan said. “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. From repositioning the firm’s personal and core commercial lines growth and profitability to his critical leadership in driving technology advancements, Dick has the insight, strategic vision and passion to lead the company through the next chapter of its remarkable journey.”
Before joining The Hanover, Lavey held leadership positions in sales, distribution, marketing and strategy with insurance and technology companies, including The Hartford and The Travelers Insurance Company. He most recently served as chairman of the board of the National Council on Compensation Insurance.
“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,” Lavey said.
Transition to continue through year-end
The Hanover said management will discuss the leadership transition during its earnings call on July 29, 2026. The company also plans to provide an update on its strategy and future outlook during its investor day on September 17, 2026.
