Sean P. Downes has been the CEO of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. since February 2013. He has led the company through important periods, focusing on growth and financial performance. From his time as Chief Operating Officer, Downes has a deep...

Sean P. Downes has been the CEO of Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc. since February 2013. He has led the company through important periods, focusing on growth and financial performance. From his time as Chief Operating Officer, Downes has a deep understanding of the insurance sector. His unique strategy and leadership helped drive the company's valuation, especially noted in the fluctuations of his stock holdings, which peaked around $42.8 million but saw significant adjustments over time. Notably, in 2019, Downes had a total compensation of over $5.4 million, including a substantial cash bonus reflecting his performance. His tenure saw him receive various stock grants, including performance-based shares, indicating a strong incentive structure aligned with company performance. He also had a history of significant stock options granted, showing trust from the board. Through his role, he has positioned Universal Insurance to achieve notable financial goals, focusing on earning potential while also navigating through challenging market conditions. This mix of effective strategy, performance-based compensation, and adaptive leadership defines Downes' impact on the company in the insurance landscape.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Universal Insurance Holdings CEOs

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Sean P. Downes

CEO of Universal Insurance Holdings

Field of Expertise

Finance & Banking - Insurance

Sector of Economy

Financial Services

CEO of Universal Insurance Holdings for

9 years 2 months (Mar 2016 - Present)

Previous Experience

Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Director at Universal Insurance Holdings, Inc.

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Sean P. Downes

Holdings

See how much did Sean P. Downes make over time.

Sean P. Downes’ stock holdings have shown significant fluctuation during his tenure at Universal Insurance Holdings. In 2019, his holdings peaked with an impressive total valued at approximately $42.8 million, reflecting strong confidence in the firm’s performance and future potential....

Sean P. Downes’ stock holdings have shown significant fluctuation during his tenure at Universal Insurance Holdings. In 2019, his holdings peaked with an impressive total valued at approximately $42.8 million, reflecting strong confidence in the firm’s performance and future potential. However, by early 2020, this amount began to decline, dropping to around $26 million by June of the same year. Over the next few years, Downes’ holdings saw further decreases, hitting around $17 million in early 2023. This trend illustrates the volatility of the insurance market and the challenges of maintaining stock value amidst changing economic conditions. Despite these fluctuations, his substantial ownership stake demonstrates his vested interest in the company’s success and aligns with the goal of driving Universal to greater heights. Such movements in his assets highlight an ongoing narrative of growth potential and resilience in the competitive insurance landscape.

Mar 17, 2025

U

shares

UVE @ $21.87

Total Stock Sold

$30.15M

UVE

$30.15M

1,501,236 UVE shares

What if they kept their stock?

If Sean P. Downes didn't sell their stock, today they would have:
Extra UVE1,501,236 shares worth $29.69M.
This is -1.51% and $453.85K less than what they got when they sold the stock.

Charitable Transactions

UVE

701,444 shares

UVE

Recent Charitable Transactions

UVE

40,529 shares

UVE

Dec 29, 2023

Charity

UVE

50,000 shares

UVE

Dec 31, 2021

Charity

UVE

10,000 shares

UVE

Dec 31, 2020

Charity

UVE

27,530 shares

UVE

Dec 31, 2019

Charity

UVE

98,073 shares

UVE

Dec 31, 2018

Charity

UVE

50,000 shares

UVE

Dec 31, 2017

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Sean P. Downes.

UVE

$449.43K

UVE at $22.47/share

Sep 19, 2024

Sale

UVE

$425.10K

UVE at $21.26/share

Aug 29, 2024

Sale

UVE

$400.09K

UVE at $20.00/share

Jul 31, 2024

Sale

UVE

$366.28K

UVE at $18.31/share

Jun 14, 2024

Sale

UVE

$394.43K

UVE at $19.72/share

May 2, 2024

Sale

UVE

$390.62K

UVE at $19.53/share

Mar 7, 2024

Sale

UVE

40,529 shares

UVE

Dec 29, 2023

Charity

UVE

$332.04K

UVE at $16.60/share

Dec 22, 2023

Sale

UVE

$322.59K

UVE at $16.13/share

Nov 3, 2023

Sale

UVE

$292.00K

UVE at $14.60/share

Aug 4, 2023

Sale

Compensation History

See how much did Sean P. Downes make over time.

Sean P. Downes' total compensation has varied significantly throughout his time as CEO of Universal Insurance Holdings. In 2021, Downes received a total compensation package of approximately $1.07 million, with a substantial portion coming from his base salary of $1 million. His compensation structure is built on performance incentives, aligning his interests with those of shareholders. However, in previous years, particularly in 2019, he took home over $5.4 million which included a hefty cash bonus. This shift in compensation highlights how his earnings are directly tied to the company's performance. The absence of annual cash bonuses in 2020 and 2021, due to capital preservation needs, shows a strategic response to challenging market conditions. His innovative approach not only seeks to attract and retain talent but also positions him to benefit alongside the company's financial success, emphasizing a clear commitment to aligning executive pay with performance metrics.

Year

2021

Total Compensation

$1.60M

Salary

$1.00M

Board Justification

The compensation program is designed to attract, retain and reward high-performing executives while aligning their interests with those of shareholders through performance-based incentives.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

Due to the need to continue strengthening reserves, the Compensation Committee did not award any 2021 cash bonuses to Messrs. Donaghy and Downes.

Other

$72.14K

Board Justification

Other compensation includes company-paid medical, dental, disability and other insurance premiums, an annual automobile allowance, and life insurance premiums.

Restricted Stock

$527.31K(35.32K RSU)

Board Justification

35,315 shares of stock vested in 2021, reflecting the performance and time-based vesting conditions as per the equity compensation plan.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics determining the compensation include the Company's financial and operational performance objectives.

Other Universal Insurance Holdings CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Universal Insurance Holdings

Bradley I. Meier

Founder and Ex-CEO of Universal Insurance Holdings

December 2008 - February 2013