World Insurance Associates announced John Newell will join the company as chief executive officer, succeeding founder Rich Eknoian, who established the insurance brokerage in 2011. Eknoian will transition to executive chairman while remaining involved in strategic growth initiatives.

The Iselin, N.J.-based company has grown to more than $700 million in revenue since its founding 15 years ago. The firm operates from more than 230 offices across the U.S. and U.K., providing insurance brokerage and financial services.

Newell brings over two decades of experience in the insurance brokerage industry. He most recently served as chief commercial officer at Newfront, a technology-enabled specialty brokerage platform, where he led business units across insurance, benefits and retirement services. Prior to that role, he spent his career at Marsh in various leadership positions, including head of the Central U.S. region, where he oversaw a business with more than $500 million in revenue and approximately 2,000 employees across 19 offices.

The leadership transition follows a multi-year succession plan developed by Eknoian and World's board. World has partnerships with Charlesbank Capital Partners, established in 2020, and Goldman Sachs Asset Management (NYSE: GS), formed in 2023. Both firms will continue supporting the company's strategic initiatives.

"John is a worthy successor as World's new CEO and has spent his career leading and growing client-centric brokerage businesses," said Anthony Arnold, partner at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, according to the company statement.

Charlesbank Capital Partners, founded in 1998, manages approximately $21 billion in assets. Goldman Sachs has approximately $3.7 trillion in assets under supervision globally as of March 31, 2026.