Swiss Re Corporate Solutions taps new leader for Australia and New Zealand

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions taps new leader for Australia and New Zealand | Insurance Business New Zealand

Insurance News

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions taps new leader for Australia and New Zealand

Industry veteran expected to drive growth and innovation in key growth areas

Insurance News

By
Roxanne Libatique

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has named Kevin Bates as the new country head for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), effective Nov. 4.

Bates (pictured), based in Sydney, takes over from Christine Bell, who is retiring.

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions country head for Australia and New Zealand

In his new role, Bates will oversee the local implementation of Swiss Re’s strategy, focusing on strengthening client relationships and delivering specialised solutions.

Commenting on the leadership change, Jonathan Rake, regional CEO APAC of Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, highlighted that the company sees Australia and New Zealand as key growth areas.

“Australia & New Zealand has been a strategic sub-region for us where we have seen consistent growth over the last three years,” he said.

He also highlighted Bates’ extensive industry experience.

“With more than two decades of experience in insurance, risk management, corporate finance, and leading diverse teams, Kevin brings with him a strategic mindset and mature leadership style which makes him an exceptional candidate for the role. I am confident that Kevin will strengthen our ANZ business and bring a fresh perspective to the broader APAC leadership team with his deep knowledge and expertise,” Rake said.

Supported by the financial strength of the Swiss Re Group, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions offers a variety of commercial insurance solutions in the Australian and New Zealand markets. These include property, liability, financial lines, and construction insurance, as well as alternative risk transfer solutions like parametric insurance.

Announced last month, Leopoldo Camara has been appointed head of property and casualty (P&C) reinsurance for Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe (NCEE) and country president for Germany, effective Aug. 1, subject to regulatory approval. He will also manage client relations as head of globals for NCEE, based in Munich.

Camara, who has been with Swiss Re since 2005, has held various roles in group finance, group risk management, and life/health business management. In 2016, he joined the globals division, overseeing key accounts for German and Spanish clients. His prior experience includes positions at Gerling-Konzern, the Mexican insurance regulator, Zurich Insurance, and Converium in Switzerland.

Beat Strebel, previously interim head for P&C reinsurance NCEE, will transition to Beijing to become Swiss Re’s CEO of reinsurance for China and the country president for China.