Skyward Specialty Announces CFO Retirement, Names Successor

What Happened
Skyward Specialty Insurance Group filed an 8-K announcing that Chief Financial Officer Mark Haushill notified the company on August 17, 2026 that he will retire effective March 31, 2027. The company and Haushill entered a Senior Advisor Letter Agreement dated August 19, 2026 under which he will serve as Senior Advisor from March 31, 2027 through December 31, 2027. On August 20, 2026 the company named Taryn McHarg — currently Deputy CFO of Skyward and CFO of Apollo — as Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer effective upon Haushill’s retirement.

Key Details

• Haushill notified the company on August 17, 2026; Advisor Agreement dated August 19, 2026.
• Advisory Period: March 31, 2027 – December 31, 2027; annualized base pay during that period: $250,000. He will not be eligible for annual bonus (Short Term Incentive Plan) or new equity awards during the Advisory Period but remains eligible for continued vesting of outstanding equity awards.
• McHarg (age 48) joined Skyward in January 2026 after Skyward’s acquisition of Apollo; prior roles include CFO positions at Apollo and Bupa divisions.
• McHarg’s existing compensation: approx. $540,000 base salary (£400,000) and a target bonus opportunity of 20%–60% of base; she received a $1,750,000 restricted stock unit award tied to the Apollo acquisition (50% vests on the 3rd anniversary, 50% on the 4th). The company will review her compensation in its normal 2027 compensation cycle.

Why It Matters
This is a planned, orderly CFO transition with the outgoing CFO staying on as a paid advisor through year-end 2027, which should help continuity in financial leadership and reporting. Investors should note the compensation and equity arrangements disclosed (advisor salary, continued vesting, McHarg’s base pay/bonus range and RSU award) and that the company will file the Advisor Agreement and McHarg’s employment agreement as exhibits in upcoming Form 10-Q filings. There were no reported disagreements between Haushill and the company regarding his decision to retire.