NEW YORK, July 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. (Nasdaq:AFSI) (the "Company" or "AmTrust") today announced that J. Daniel Hickey, a senior insurance industry executive, has joined AmTrust as Executive Vice President, Business Strategy and Business Development. Mr. Hickey will oversee the Company's business strategy planning function, developing and implementing a global strategic framework for AmTrust that reflects macro market trends and local market insights. He will also be responsible for AmTrust's business development, identifying and managing key partner relationships, as well as organic business opportunities available to AmTrust throughout its global business platform. Mr. Hickey has built a strong career in the insurance industry, in progressively senior roles. He previously served at PartnerRe, a global reinsurer, as Executive Vice President and Head of the Standard Lines business unit where he had executive leadership, strategic planning and underwriting responsibilities for the unit. Prior to PartnerRe, Mr. Hickey was at General Reinsurance Corporation, a provider of reinsurance solutions to the Life/Health and Property/Casualty insurance industries, most recently in the role of President - North America Treaty Reinsurance. "I have known Dan for many years and he is widely respected in our industry as a thoughtful, strategic leader, with the ability to deliver exceptional results," said Barry Zyskind, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "As a member of our senior management team, Dan will identify and support the organic growth opportunities available to AmTrust as a multinational property and casualty insurer. We believe Dan's deep expertise and network in the insurance industry will be highly beneficial to AmTrust now that we have the size and scale to leverage our existing base of business." Mr. Hickey said, "I am excited to join the AmTrust team at this important juncture in its evolution as a global P&C provider. I have always greatly admired AmTrust's technology and commitment to innovation, and its impressive record in identifying niche opportunities that leverage its core competencies and deliver strong returns. I look forward to contributing to AmTrust's continued success." Mr. Hickey is based at AmTrust's New York City headquarters and reports directly to Mr. Zyskind, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AmTrust.