IDF names Swiss Re’s Menzinger Chair, OpCo, succeeding Rowan Douglas
The Insurance Development Forum (IDF) has named Ivo Menzinger of Swiss Re as the new Chair of its Operating Committee (OpCo), succeeding Rowan Douglas CBE, CEO of Climate Risk & Resilience at Howden who had been instrumental in the creation of the IDF and chaired the OpCo since its launch.
Ivo Menzinger is the Managing Director of Public Sector Business at global reinsurance giant Swiss Re.
He has significant experience in the public-private partnership (PPP) space, particularly in the areas of disaster risk management and insurance.
Menzinger has been the Deputy Chair of the IDF OpCo, as well as Founder and Co-Chair of the IDF Sovereign and Humanitarian Working Group for nearly a decade.
The IDF is now entering its 10th year and Rowan Douglas (one of the original co-founders of Artemis) played an instrumental role in the creation and development of the IDF between 2012 and 2015, as well as in steering its operations ever since.
He has tirelessly worked to promote the integration of insurance into global climate risk and resilience conversations at the highest levels, leveraging his deep contacts across the industry and political, multi-lateral and donor funded organisation communities.
Douglas joined international insurance group Howden as CEO, Climate Risk & Resilience in 2023.
The IDF stated, “For over a decade Rowan has played a pivotal role in establishing the IDF as a respected international institution delivering resilience to climate and disaster risks.”
Michel Liès, Chair of the IDF Steering Committee, said on the leadership change, “Rowan has been instrumental in transforming the IDF from a bold vision into a global force for resilience. His strategic leadership has enabled the IDF to operationalise initiatives that deliver real impact. We thank him for his enormous contributions over the last decade and count on his engagement with the IDF in future.
“As we look ahead and embark on the IDF’s next phase, Ivo’s expertise will be key to catalysing additional momentum, uniting stakeholders, and scaling solutions to match the urgency of the moment.”
Menzinger will be tasked with focusing on “catalysing the momentum needed to scale climate and disaster resilience solutions, addressing the urgent need for collaboration across sectors to provoke meaningful change for vulnerable communities and with a focus on accelerating implementation efforts,” the IDF further stated.
Ivo Menzinger, the new Chair of the IDF Operating Committee, said, “It is a privilege to step into this role at such a pivotal time for the IDF and the communities it serves. As we navigate an era of escalating climate and disaster risks, our focus must be on implementation underpinned by ambition. By strengthening partnerships and fostering innovation, we can scale practical solutions that protect lives and livelihoods. The urgency of this work cannot be overstated. I look forward to driving momentum that turns collaboration into measurable impact, ensuring the IDF continues to provoke meaningful change in building a more resilient future.”
Rowan Douglas CBE, CEO of Climate Risk & Resilience at Howden, commented, “It has been a great pleasure to help turn the IDF vision into a thriving reality over the last decade and see the influence and impact of this unique public-private partnership. We have achieved countless breakthroughs – technical, organisational and financial – that many people thought to be impossible. Most importantly we have transformed the wider recognition of insurance as an essential part of resilient development.
“I thank everyone in the IDF community – past and present – from across industry, Governments, international institutions, NGOs and my family who have supported me in leading the IDF OpCo on this extraordinary journey together. As we enter our second decade the IDF’s mission has never been more important.
“So, I’m delighted to be handing over to Ivo with his unique skills and experience, someone who I’ve enjoyed working with in the IDF since 2014. I wish him every success in taking the IDF to the next level and look forward to supporting him and the IDF in its exciting future.”
