New leaders and structures at HDI Global SE

Centralised teams, accelerated processes and networked expertiseThe department “Cross Services Property, Engineering, Marine” becomes “Technical & Strategic Services – Short Tail”Walter Garhammer, who has been with the Group since 1987, retires at the end of September 2022

Effective 1 October 2022 HDI Global SE brings together its portfolio steering teams in the Property lines. The newly centralised foundation is intended to accelerate the achievement of the strategic objective of underwriting excellence. Dr Carsten Schulte leads the new team, reporting to Claire McDonald, Member of the Executive Board of HDI Global SE with responsibility for the Property, Engineering and Marine insurance lines as well as for HDI Risk Consulting.

Under the overall leadership of Dr Carsten Schulte, who previously worked in Property Portfolio Steering, the new department structure encompasses not only the NatCat and Product & Policy Steering teams but also the newly combined team of Portfolio Steering Property, Engineering, Marine. This unified team is headed by Alexander Klein who previously led Marine Portfolio Steering.

The new team roles aim to support and accelerate execution and delivery of underwriting transformation activities at HDI Global. “We are creating a hub for accelerated knowledge sharing among our teams and the pooling of their expertise,” explains Dr Schulte. “This structure in Portfolio Steering will enable us to learn from and share with one another to an even better extent.“ What is more, other departments now have a single point of focus with whom to work with.

Claire McDonald is looking forward to “an improved and more consistent support for our branches as well as increased speed on our initiatives to optimise our worldwide underwriting performance.” She considers the actual personnel decisions to be an affirmation of the culture at HDI Global: “Carsten has been with the company for seven years, Alexander’s been with us for ten. Within HDI we have a high concentration of employees with terrific ideas and abilities – and it’s great to be able to offer our people these opportunities.”

Walter Garhammer, who previously headed the department, is leaving the Group after 35 years to embark on his well-earned retirement. “I would like to thank Walter most warmly for his excellent contribution to HDI over many years and in many different roles. Thanks to his work over the past few years, Carsten is taking the reins of an intact and dynamic team. We would like to wish Walter and his family all the very best for the future!”

Authored by HDI Global SE