Crawford & Company has appointed W. Bruce Swain Jr. (pictured) as its president and chief executive officer on a permanent basis, ending his interim tenure in the role that began on Jan 1, 2026.

The Atlanta-based claims management firm said its board of directors approved the appointment with immediate effect.

Swain has been with Crawford for more than three decades, including 19 years as chief financial officer.

Non-executive chair Jesse Crawford Jr. said in a statement that Swain had demonstrated “a clear understanding of the business and a strong connection with the leadership team” since stepping into the interim role.

“The board has full confidence in Bruce’s ability to lead Crawford forward, and we are pleased to appoint him president and chief executive officer on a permanent basis,” Crawford Jr. said.

Swain said he was “honoured to continue leading Crawford as president and chief executive officer” and pledged to work with the company’s global leadership team as it focuses on serving clients and executing its strategy.

The company also said Jesse Crawford Sr., a board member since 1986 and former chair, will not stand for re-election at the 2026 Annual Shareholder Meeting scheduled for 14 May. The board plans to appoint him an honorary board member and confer on him the title of emeritus officer at the conclusion of the meeting.

Crawford Sr. is the son of founder Jim Crawford and represents the second generation of the family’s leadership. The company said he spent 40 years helping shape Crawford’s global footprint.

Crawford Jr. described his father as “a mentor to many, a stabilising force through turbulent times, and a constant advocate for our colleagues around the world.”

Swain said Crawford Sr. had “long embodied the values on which the company was built – service, integrity, and a deep commitment to doing what’s right for our clients, colleagues, and shareholders.”

Swain’s permanent appointment follows organisational changes announced in late 2025, including a restructuring of operations into US and international divisions effective 1 Jan. 2026.

For the full year 2025, revenue before reimbursements fell 2% to US$1.266 billion from US$1.293 billion in 2024, with net income declining to US$19.6 million from US$26.6 million a year earlier. North America loss adjusting and platform solutions both faced revenue pressure due to fewer severe storms and lower claims volumes, though International Operations delivered record full-year revenues of US$438.2m and Broadspire reached a new annual revenue high of US$401.9m.