Crawford & Company Honored in Americas Insurance Awards Program

ATLANTA, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Crawford & Company (NYSE: CRDA; CRDB), the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions, and President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey T. Bowman recently were honored in the 2012 Americas Insurance Awards program, a recognition given for leadership and excellence in the insurance industry.

"Our leaders and employees have worked hard to transform Crawford into the company it is today," Bowman said. "I am proud of the innovation and responsiveness we demonstrate to our clients on a worldwide basis and am honored to receive this award on behalf of our entire organization."

The Americas Insurance Awards recognizes examples of innovation, integrity, execution and outstanding leadership throughout the insurance industry in North America and South America. The focus of the awards program in 2012 was "Lessons in Leadership."

"While many insurance organizations rightfully pride themselves as having weathered the financial crisis and recent recessionary economies, only a few firms truly emerged from this economic cauldron as significantly improved, strengthened and far more capable enterprises," said Philip Mondanaro, a spokesperson for the Americas Insurance Awards. Bowman and Josh Fitzhugh of Union Mutual of Vermont offered particularly compelling lessons in leadership, the organization said.

Bowman became CEO of Crawford in 2008, the year the recession and financial crisis began taking a toll on the insurance industry. Under his leadership, Crawford passed the $1 billion mark in revenues for the first time that year, also surpassing it in 2010 and 2011. Included among the Company's other significant achievements are expansion of its global footprint; improvements in information technology, including new claims and risk management information systems and mobile technology; and the design and launch of new claims, medical management and educational services.

Crawford has received numerous awards for its achievements in recent years. The Company has been named to the Information Week 500 three consecutive times, twice in the top 100. It has been recognized as best claims adjuster in the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.

In addition, the legal community has recognized the work of The Garden City Group, a Crawford subsidiary that offers legal settlement administration, two years in a row, and leaders in the United States and Canada have received individual awards for innovation and contributions to the industry. Crawford and its subsidiaries also have received awards for case management programs, mobile claims management software, environmental efforts, wellness programs and support to the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters Society.

The CIOP Institute coordinates and conducts the Americas Insurance Awards program. CIOP is a global insurance leadership development organization that offers several professional certification programs, including the Chartered Insurance Operations Professional (CIOP) designation.

About Crawford

Based in Atlanta, Ga., Crawford & Company (www.crawfordandcompany.com) is the world's largest independent provider of claims management solutions to the risk management and insurance industry as well as self-insured entities, with an expansive global network serving clients in more than 70 countries. The Crawford System of Claims Solutions(SM) offers comprehensive, integrated claims services, business process outsourcing and consulting services for major product lines including property and casualty claims management, workers compensation claims and medical management, and legal settlement administration. The Company's shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbols CRDA and CRDB.

About the CIOP Institute

The CIOP Institute (www.ciopinstitute.com) is the premier global insurance leadership development organization that is built upon a deep belief in the power of knowledge as a shaper of performance, a builder of professionalism, a creator of ideas, and an inciter of innovation and change. While offering unsurpassed thought leadership and a compelling array of educational experiences to the insurance industry, the CIOP Institute administers a number of rigorous and rewarding insurance professional designation programs including the: Chartered Insurance Operations Professional (CIOP) designation, Master Insurance Business Analyst (MIBA) certification, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt designation, and the Emerging Insurance Leaders Development Program. Additionally the CIOP Institute coordinates and conducts the annual Americas Insurance Awards.

SOURCE Crawford & Company