The latest wave of HIG capital insurance hires underscores a calculated push into a fast-evolving investment frontier, as the firm positions itself to capture growing opportunities tied to insurance-linked capital.

New Leadership to Drive Insurance Strategy

H.I.G. Capital, which manages roughly $74 billion in assets, announced the appointment of two senior executives to strengthen its insurance-focused investment capabilities.

Clark Jeffries has been named managing director and global head of insurance, while Gary Droscoski joins as managing director within the firm’s Capital Formation Group.

The hires come as H.I.G. expands across private credit, private equity, and real assets—sectors increasingly intertwined with insurance balance sheets.

A Growing Opportunity in Insurance Markets

The firm is building strategies tailored to insurers, including direct investments in insurance companies and capital-efficient structures designed to align with long-term liabilities.

Co-president Brian Schwartz described the move as a response to rising complexity in the middle market, where demand for specialized investment expertise is accelerating.

“We see significant opportunity to expand our investment capabilities,” Schwartz said, pointing to the alignment between insurance capital and long-duration, asset-based strategies—an area where the firm already has deep roots.

Like a river carving new channels, insurance capital is flowing toward more sophisticated investment vehicles, and H.I.G. is moving swiftly to meet it.

Jeffries to Lead Strategic Investments

In his new role, Jeffries will oversee sourcing deals, executing transactions, and managing ongoing investments tied to the insurance sector. He will also spearhead the creation of investment products specifically designed for insurance clients.

Bringing nearly two decades of experience, Jeffries previously served as chief investment officer at Somerset Reinsurance Limited and held a managing director role in the Financial Institutions Group at Bank of America.

Droscoski to Strengthen Investor Engagement

Droscoski, with more than 25 years in institutional sales and business development, will focus on deepening relationships with insurance investors.

Before joining H.I.G., he held senior positions at PGIM Private Alternatives. His earlier roles include leadership positions at New York Life Investments and serving as North America managing director and head of business development at GAM Investments.

Positioning for Long-Term Growth

The HIG capital insurance hires reflect a broader industry shift, where insurers are no longer just policy underwriters but increasingly influential players in global capital markets.

As H.I.G. scales its capabilities, the firm is betting that aligning with insurance capital will unlock durable, long-term growth—turning complexity into opportunity in a sector where precision and timing are everything.