PetExpert founders to step back as Trupanion takes over leadership

PetExpert co-founders Derek Cummins and Jan Moravec will leave day-to-day executive roles at the end of 2026 after eight years building the pet insurance business in Czechia and Slovakia. Trupanion’s international team will take over leadership to keep service continuity for veterinary partners and customers.

Why it matters: - PetExpert’s leadership change comes as the company has become a major pet insurance player in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. - The transition is designed to preserve direct-pay veterinary relationships that help pet owners avoid paying the full bill upfront. - Trupanion’s takeover of leadership signals continuity for clinics and customers as PetExpert enters its next phase.

What happened: - Co-founders Derek Cummins and Jan Moravec will transition from their day-to-day executive roles at the end of 2026. - Trupanion’s international team will assume leadership responsibility alongside local PetExpert colleagues. - PetExpert was founded in 2018 and became part of Trupanion in 2022. - The company says the transition will be seamless for veterinary partners and customers.

The details: - PetExpert built a digital, direct-pay model that settles eligible veterinary costs directly with clinics. - The approach reduces paperwork for veterinarians and pet owners. - PetExpert now works with approximately 85% of veterinary clinics across the Czech Republic and Slovakia. - Derek Cummins said PetExpert aimed to challenge traditional pet insurance and create a better model for veterinarians and pet owners. - Jan Moravec said the goal from the start was to use technology to simplify pet insurance and improve access to care without requiring full upfront payment. - Margi Tooth, CEO of Trupanion, said the founders built strong relationships with veterinary teams and made direct payment central to the PetExpert experience. - Both founders will stay connected to PetExpert through selected community and charitable initiatives.

Between the lines: - The leadership handoff suggests Trupanion wants to retain the local trust PetExpert built while integrating the business into a larger international structure. - Direct payment remains the defining feature of PetExpert’s brand and the clearest differentiator in a market built around easier access to veterinary care.

What's next: - Trupanion’s international team and local staff will lead PetExpert forward after the founders step back. - The company expects continuity in service, clinic relationships and customer support through the transition. - Cummins and Moravec will continue to support the business through community and charitable work.