The global insurance industry is mourning the loss of Thomas A. Lawson (pictured), a long-serving leader at FM whose career with the mutual insurer spanned more than four decades.

Lawson, who served as president and chief executive officer from 2015 to 2021 and later as chairman until April 2024, played a central role in shaping the modern direction of the Rhode Island-based commercial property insurer.

In a statement announcing his passing, FM described Lawson as an “iconic and revered leader” within both the organization and the broader Rhode Island business and philanthropic community.

Four decades at FM

Lawson’s tenure at FM extended more than 40 years, during which he held a range of leadership roles before becoming CEO in 2015. His time at the helm coincided with a period of strategic change for the insurer, including investments in research, technology and global risk engineering capabilities.

Colleagues said his leadership helped guide the company through several pivotal moments for both the business and the wider insurance market.

During the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lawson was seen as a steady presence as insurers navigated operational disruption, shifting risk exposures and heightened uncertainty across global markets.

He was also closely associated with the modernization and expansion of the company’s research infrastructure, including development at the FM Research Campus in West Glocester, Rhode Island. The site plays a central role in the insurer’s engineering-based approach to property risk, conducting scientific testing on fire, climate and industrial hazards to support underwriting and loss-prevention efforts.

A legacy of leadership and advocacy

Paying tribute, current FM chairman and CEO Malcolm Roberts highlighted Lawson’s influence on the company’s evolution and culture.

“Tom’s passion for FM, tireless advocacy for our clients and deep commitment to the community leave a legacy that will last for many years,” Roberts said.

“His impact on FM and many contributions to the organization cannot be overstated, as he was instrumental in creating the company we are today. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

Within the insurance sector, Lawson was widely respected for promoting FM’s distinctive model, which combines commercial property insurance with engineering-led risk prevention. The approach has long differentiated the company in the global market, particularly among large industrial and commercial clients seeking risk-management expertise alongside insurance capacity.

Remembered in Rhode Island and beyond

Beyond the insurance industry, Lawson was also known for his involvement in the Rhode Island business community and philanthropic initiatives.

His leadership at FM coincided with continued investment in the region, particularly through the expansion of the company’s research campus, which has become a major center for property risk science.

While tributes continue from colleagues and industry peers, FM said Lawson’s legacy will endure through the organization he helped shape and the many people he mentored during his decades-long career.