Jeff Smith is the CEO of Ryan Specialty Renewables, Ryan Specialty’s global renewable energy and energy transition underwriting platform. In this role, he leads the strategic direction, underwriting operations, and growth of a unified business that brings together PERse North America and PERse International under a single global platform serving clients, brokers, and capital providers worldwide. Ryan Specialty Renewables combines specialized underwriting expertise, risk engineering, claims capabilities, and market relationships to deliver innovative insurance solutions across the renewable energy sector.
With more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy insurance industry, Jeff has established a reputation as one of the sector’s leading underwriting and business executives. A co-founder of PERse in 2011, he played a pivotal role in building one of the industry’s premier renewable energy insurance platforms, developing long-standing relationships with brokers, clients, capital providers, and insurers across North America, London, and Europe.
Prior to founding PERse, Jeff served as Vice President and Underwriting Officer for a leading global underwriting manager specializing in renewable energy, where he successfully managed and expanded a profitable North American portfolio. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions with one of the first U.S. insurance agencies dedicated exclusively to wind energy risks.
Jeff’s leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that exceptional businesses are built by exceptional people. Throughout his career, he has focused on attracting top talent, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration, and empowering teams to make decisions that deliver value for clients and trading partners. He believes sustainable success comes from combining disciplined underwriting, strong market relationships, and operational excellence with a clear strategic vision. His approach has been instrumental in building high-performing organizations capable of adapting to changing market conditions while maintaining a relentless focus on client service and enduring marketing relationships.
Under Jeff’s leadership, Ryan Specialty Renewables is focused on delivering integrated, global insurance solutions for renewable energy and energy transition risks while creating a platform that brings together the best underwriting talent, technical expertise, and market capabilities from around the world.
Location: California
Ryan Specialty Renewables is a part of Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers (RSUM). Ryan Specialty Renewables’ operations are conducted through multiple legal entities, the choice of which depends on where the entities are authorized to operate. In the US, Ryan Specialty Renewables is a series of RSG Underwriting Managers, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company based in Illinois (in California: RSG Insurance Services, LLC (License #0E50879)). In Canada, Ryan Specialty Renewables is a tradename of Ryan Specialty Canada Limited. In the UK and Europe, Ryan Specialty Renewables is a trading name of Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers International Limited (RSUMIL) and Ryan Specialty Europe GmbH. RSUMIL is incorporated in England and Wales with Registered Office at 6th Floor, 25 Fenchurch Avenue, London EC3M 5AD. RSUMIL is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, under FRN 582862. Ryan Specialty Europe GmbH (HRB 181011) is licenced by the Hamburg Trade Chamber (Handelskammer Hamburg) with Registered Office at Hohe Bleichen 8, 20354, Hamburg, Germany; Spanish Branch Office at Avenida del Doctor Arce 14, 28002, Madrid (Branch Number CIF W-0025091J); Swedish Branch Office at Brahegatan 2, 114 37 Stockholm, Sweden (Company Number 516413-9775); and UK Branch Office at 6th Floor, 25 Fenchurch Avenue, London EC3M 5AD (FRN: 1004180, Registered Company Number: FC040776). In the UAE, Ryan Specialty Renewables’ operations are conducted by Ryan Specialty (DIFC) Limited, a company registered in the Dubai International Financial Centre with Registered Office at GV-00-10-08-OF-08, Floor 8, Gate Village Building 10, DIFC, Dubai, UAE (license number 12011; DFSA reference number F012153). For further information on how Ryan Specialty Renewables operates across jurisdictions, please see the organization’s International Operating Model, available on the website at Ryan Specialty International Operating Model Regulatory Information – Ryan Specialty. The legal entities identified herein are subsidiaries of Ryan Specialty, LLC. Ryan Specialty Renewables works directly with brokers, agents and insurance carriers, and as such does not solicit insurance from the public. Some products may only be available in certain jurisdictions, and some products may only be available from surplus lines insurers. RSUM (including RSG Underwriting Managers, LLC, RSUMIL, and Ryan Specialty Europe GmbH) has received a PA-1 Performance Assessment from AM Best, effective June 2, 2026. For the latest Performance Assessment, access ambest.com. ©2026 Ryan Specialty, LLC