Allianz Commercial makes global leadership appointments

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) has appointed Jeremy Sharpe to lead its Global Distribution unit, taking over this role from Patrick Thiels. Thiels will now lead AGCS’s Mediterranean & Africa region, succeeding the current Regional Managing Director, Corinne Cipière who moves to take on a Board of Management role at Allianz France from January 1, 2021.

Jeremy Sharpe is currently Head of Broker Engagement – International for AIG, based in London, and will be responsible for leading AGCS’ market-facing sales and distribution activities globally. He has 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry, in client-, broker- and insurer-side leadership roles, and prior to AIG, he was at HSBC Group where he was Global Head of Insurable Risk Management. He has also worked in the international broking sector for HSBC Insurance Brokers, Glenrand and C.E. Heath. He will join AGCS from March 1, 2021, and will be based in London. Until then, Patrick Thiels will hold dual responsibility for the Mediterranean & Africa region and Global Distribution.

Earlier this year, AGCS’ new CEO, Joachim Mueller, stated a clear ambition to regain market leadership in the industrial insurers’ target sectors through a comprehensive strategic program, “NEW AGCS”. This has been supported by a new regional set-up, a number of leadership appointments and a significant investment in the company’s core functions, including an enhanced sales and distribution function which has been established by current Global Head of Distribution, Patrick Thiels.

Thiels now moves to become Regional Managing Director for the recently expanded Mediterranean & Africa region, covering France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy and the whole of Africa, including AGCS’ South African unit. He will be based in Antwerp and Paris. This region is of strategic importance to AGCS, contributing over €800 million in gross written premiums. He is a veteran of this market, having joined AGCS in 2013 as Regional CEO Mediterranean when he was responsible for establishing this regional unit in its former setup. Previously, he led the Belgian and Luxembourg business for HDI Gerling.

Corinne Cipière moves to Allianz Group’s French national insurance company, Allianz France, where she has been appointed to the Board of Management as Chief Customer Officer. Before joining Allianz in 2016 she has held various management roles management roles at Royal Sun Alliance France and broker Marsh.

Henning Haagen, AGCS SE Board Member and Chief Regions & Markets Officer, comments: “I’m delighted to have attracted Jeremy to AGCS: he combines many years’ experience in the corporate insurance world with deep knowledge of client and broker relationships, and of sales and distribution, and will build on the strong foundation Patrick has established in setting up this global function for AGCS. I congratulate Corinne on her move to the Board of Allianz France and wish her well in that role, while welcoming Patrick in his new leadership position, where he is very strongly qualified to take charge of this important part of our global business.”

Where relevant, these appointments are subject to regulatory approval.