Jewelers Mutual announced Tuesday that Scott Murphy will retire as chief executive officer at the end of the year after serving for 12 years, and Mike Alexander will succeed him. The Neenah, Wisconsin-based company said Alexander, who has been president since 2025, will take over as president and CEO on Jan. 1, 2027. Murphy will continue to serve on the board of directors, a role he assumed in 2015 when he joined the organization.
Alexander joined Jewelers Mutual in 2015 and has been described as instrumental in advancing the company’s digital transformation and leading business growth initiatives. Before his promotion, he worked closely with Murphy to translate long-term strategy into daily operations and helped bring innovations like the JM Care Plan to market. He also guided the integration of Jewellers Loop after its acquisition.
In his new role, Alexander plans to focus on accelerating the company’s expansion into new markets, deepening its digital capabilities, and broadening its portfolio of solutions for jewelers and consumers.
The transition comes as Jewelers Mutual reflects on its growth under Murphy’s leadership. The company stated that during his tenure, it evolved from a specialty insurer into a technology-forward industry leader with an international footprint and a diversified suite of solutions. Robert Reeg, chair of the board, noted that Murphy built a company designed to serve the industry for the next century.
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“Leading Jewelers Mutual has been the greatest honor of my career,” said Murphy. “The jewelry industry is filled with remarkable people who pour their passion, creativity, and craftsmanship into everything they do, and it has been a privilege to serve them. I am proud of what our team has built and even more excited about where Mike will take this company next.”
“Scott had a clear-eyed vision for what Jewelers Mutual could become, not just a better insurer, but a genuine leader to the jewelry industry,” Reeg said.
Mike Alexander expressed his readiness to lead the organization into its next chapter. He stated that Scott built an extraordinary foundation with a clear purpose and a strong culture. He said he is energized to build on that momentum and lead the way forward.
According to the company, Murphy’s leadership supported a culture of innovation and kept customers at the center of operations. He championed the idea that innovation is not confined to a single department but is a mindset that should permeate every aspect of an organization.
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“Innovation is not confined to a single department; it is a mindset that permeates every aspect of an organization,” Murphy said. “When curiosity, collaboration, and customer-centric thinking are embedded into everything we do—and when 10x thinking is expected and encouraged—innovation is likely to result.”
That philosophy resulted in investments in modern technology, machine learning, predictive analytics, and API integration. The company noted it also inspired the development of digital tools that helped jewelers modernize their operations. Employees at every level were encouraged to ask “what if” and act with urgency on the answer.
For jewelers, the shift in leadership means a continued focus on technology and service. As Alexander takes the helm, the company’s strategic priorities and mission remain unchanged, signaling a period of continuity for clients relying on the insurer’s products.
