WORCESTER, Mass., July 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., (NYSE: THG), a leading property and casualty insurance company, announced today that John "Jack" C. Roche, president and chief executive officer, has informed the company's Board of Directors he plans to retire on December 31, 2026, following a distinguished 40-year career in the insurance industry. Richard "Dick" W. Lavey, chief operating officer and president of Hanover Agency Markets, has been appointed by the board as CEO-elect and will work closely with Roche to ensure a successful transition.
"The Board of Directors is deeply grateful to Jack for his outstanding leadership and the significant impact he's made to The Hanover," said Cynthia L. Egan, chair of the board at The Hanover. "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, 62, joined The Hanover in 2006 and was appointed president and chief executive officer in 2017. Under his leadership, the company achieved record operating earnings, outstanding stock price appreciation and strengthened its position as a premier property and casualty company in the independent agency channel. In addition to his responsibilities at The Hanover, Roche serves the insurance industry as vice chair of the board of trustees for The Institutes, a member of the board of directors for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, and as a member of the board of overseers of St. John's University Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science.
"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."
"Dick is an accomplished executive whose deep experience spans the insurance and technology industries," said Egan. "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."