Swiss Re will adjust its senior leadership structure to strengthen the company’s core capabilities and market presence with a focus on three key areas: Reinsurance, Corporate Solutions and Admin Re®. To elevate the importance of these client facing operations, all three units will now be represented by dedicated Executive Committee members.
Corporate Solutions is the new name for all of Swiss Re’s insurance-related offerings, such as Large Industrial Risks.
Swiss Re also names a new Chief Operating Officer, a new Chief Risk Officer and a Chairman Global Partnerships.
“This change and the executives leading it represent Swiss Re’s strategy to seize and secure the future,” said Stefan Lippe, Chief Executive Officer of Swiss Re. “We are taking advantage of our company’s core strengths to become more nimble and more responsive to the needs of our clients and investors.”
With this, Swiss Re's Board of Directors announces the following personnel changes:
Christian Mumenthaler, currently Head of the Life & Health (L&H) Division, has been appointed Chief Marketing Officer Reinsurance and Member of the Executive Committee, effective 1 January 2011. In the core Reinsurance business, Swiss Re aims to outperform the market based on its acknowledged underwriting capabilities, which in the area of marketing requires superior client focus and an advanced service model. Christian Mumenthaler has an impressive track record and broad business experience. Most recently, he significantly advanced Swiss Re’s capabilities in L&H, and successfully developed a strategy in the area of longevity that will open up excellent new market opportunities. A new Head of Life & Health will be announced in due course. In the meantime Christian Mumenthaler will continue to lead the L&H business.
Agostino Galvagni, currently Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Member of the Executive Committee, will become CEO Corporate Solutions effective 1 October 2010, and remains Member of the Executive Committee. This newly created global position underpins the strategic relevance of Corporate Solutions business to Swiss Re and the need to drive dedicated initiatives with heightened focus and authority. Agostino Galvagni brings with him in-depth business and client servicing experience; prior to his role as COO, he was responsible for the Insurance & Specialty Division within Client Markets.
David Blumer, Chief Investment Officer and Member of the Executive Committee, will, in addition to his current role, assume responsibility for Admin Re®, effective 1 October 2010. In this extended capacity, David Blumer will establish Admin Re® as an integrated global business of Swiss Re, re-invigorating the unit as a recognised and astute force in the Admin Re market. David Blumer has broad experience in Asset Management as well as in establishing efficient and focused global businesses.
Swiss Re’s Board of Directors has further appointed a new Chief Risk Officer, a new Chief Operating Officer as well as a Chairman Global Partnerships.
Raj Singh, current Chief Risk Officer, has decided to leave Swiss Re for personal reasons, effective 28 February 2011. The Board of Directors thanks Raj Singh for his invaluable contribution in further advancing the company's risk management capabilities over the past three years.
David Cole will succeed Raj Singh as Chief Risk Officer, and Member of the Executive Committee. He will join Swiss Re on 1 November 2010 to allow for a smooth transition. David Cole has advanced through the ranks of ABN AMRO since 1999, gaining deep financial sector experience across a range of functions and markets. In January 2006, David Cole was appointed Head of Group Risk Management for ABN AMRO Bank, and subsequently Chief Financial Officer and Chief Risk Officer in 2008.
Thomas Wellauer will become new Chief Operating Officer and Member of the Executive Committee, effective 1 October 2010. In this role, he will oversee such operational functions as HR, IT, Legal, Communications and Logistics. Thomas Wellauer brings a wealth of leadership experience in the financial services sector, having served as CEO of Credit Suisse Financial Services, CEO of Winterthur Insurance and Member of the Supervisory Board at Munich Re. Most recently, Thomas Wellauer served as Head of Corporate Affairs and Member of the Executive Committee at Novartis.
Michel Liès, currently Chief Marketing Officer and Member of the Executive Committee, will, as of 1 January 2011, assume a newly created position as Chairman Global Partnerships, reporting directly to the CEO. Until year-end Michel Liès serves as Chief Marketing Officer Reinsurance, and remains a member of the EC. In his new role, Michel Liès will establish a network of client market advisors within Swiss Re to strengthen relationships in the public sector, government and NGO areas. He will also accelerate the company's growth strategy in emerging markets. Michel Liès will formally be stepping down from the Executive Committee as of 31 December 2010.