Insights for reinsurers: Navigating complex and challenging conditions in a volatile world

An event exploring how re/insurers can navigate uncertainty, build resilience, deliver growth and drive profit amid complex and challenging market conditions.

An event exploring how re/insurers can navigate uncertainty, build resilience, deliver growth and drive profit amid complex and challenging market conditions. 

More than 200 senior leaders from reinsurers, brokers, and cedants across Europe will converge in Zurich on June 19 & 20 for the highly anticipated Re/insurance Outlook Europe 2024 conference. 

Following the success of the inaugural Re/insurance event in Zurich in 2023, this premier event serves as a pivotal platform for industry stakeholders responsible for setting and managing strategy and risk appetite to address the dynamic shifts and challenges facing the re/insurance landscape.

In the wake of increasingly complex market conditions and evolving risks such as emerging climate trends, geopolitical uncertainties, and economic fluctuations, building upon the transformative trends witnessed in 2023, Re/insurance Outlook Europe 2024 promises insightful discussions and expert analyses on the future trajectory of the industry. Over the course of two days, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with more than 40 CEOs, CUOs, and Chief Actuaries from Europe’s leading reinsurers, offering unparalleled insights into the strategic imperatives and emerging trends shaping the re/insurance landscape.

The conference agenda has been crafted to address a spectrum of pressing topics, including fortifying resilience amid geopolitical challenges; managing systemic risks; navigating volatility in the reinsurance market; and leveraging digital transformation for sustainable practice. Additionally, sessions will delve into issues such as cyber risk management; talent acquisition; social inflation; climate change adaptation; and ESG integration; reflecting the multifaceted nature of challenges and opportunities confronting the industry.

At Re/insurance Outlook Europe 2024, senior leaders from companies including Gallagher Re, Zurich, Toa Re, Alpine Re, Partner Re, Helvetia, Korean Re,  AXA XL, Munich Re, MS Reinsurance, Arch, HDI Global SE, BCG, Axis, Swiss Re, Schroders Capital ILS, Ageas Re, EY, Synpulse, CyberCube, Zuhlke Group, and many more,  will examine the unique risks and opportunities reinsurance leaders must grapple with when making strategic decisions around underwriting and portfolio management.

Here is a snapshot of what some of the industry-leading executives who will be speaking at the event said:

“To stay relevant in today’s rapidly evolving market, re/insurers must embrace continuous innovation at their core, including around skills, technology, product response to extraneous changes such as climate, and finding adjusted positioning in the deployment of capital.” Annik Penders, Managing Director and Senior Partner, Insurance Practice Leader EMESA, Boston Consulting Group.

“Our clients, and societies as a whole, suffer more and more visibly from the effects of climate change. We need to work on all fronts: partner with our clients to incentivise increased resilience from original policyholders. We need to work with all involved stakeholders to find solutions that close the protection gap, distributing the risk on many different shoulders. 

“I am not talking about ‘growth markets’ only here—I explicitly include many European countries. We can think of Italy or Germany as countries with a huge protection gap.” Joachim Racz, Chief Executive Officer, Ageas Re.

“Managing uncertainty and volatility in reinsurance is one of the biggest challenges that we, as a business and as an industry, continue to face. Heightened catastrophe losses linked to climate change and increased geopolitical uncertainty led to significant price corrections and adjustments in reinsurance terms and conditions throughout 2023, and this trend looks to be continuing through 2024.” Philip Hough, Global Head of Property Reinsurance and Head of EMEA/LATAM, Aspen Insurance.

“As a manager of insurance-linked securities (ILS) funds, one of our biggest challenges remains educating investors on the intricacies of the re/insurance market and helping them to understand the dynamics of the reinsurance renewal cycle. Investors frequently miss out on opportunities due to their lack of understanding of the drivers behind the demand and supply of capital to the industry. 

“A further challenge is managing expectations on what is a realistic return on capital over the cycle.” Dirk Lohmann, Vice-Chairman, Schroders Capital ILS.

Helen Raff, Director, Event Portfolio, Intelligent Insurer, added: “We are thrilled to convene industry leaders at Re/insurance Outlook Europe 2024 to explore innovative strategies and collaborative solutions for navigating the increasingly complex dynamics of the re/insurance landscape. 

“Amid evolving risks and uncertainties, this conference serves as a catalyst for fostering dialogue, driving innovation, and charting a sustainable path forward for the industry.” 

The event will deliver a powerful combination of in-depth case studies and lively panel debates designed to deliver the strategic insight that insurance executives need to instigate and deliver innovation in this fast-evolving and complex space.

The speakers and panelists are all experienced leaders in the reinsurance space with specific knowledge and hands-on expertise working on the frontline of what is a rapidly changing landscape across Europe.

Run by Intelligent Insurer, the leading digital hub for senior re/insurance executives and brokers, the event features leading industry figures as speakers including: 

Tom Wakefield, Chief Executive Officer, Gallagher Re

Penny Seach, Group Chief Underwriting Officer, Zurich Insurance

Kornelia Papp, Group Head of Conversational AI, Zurich Insurance

Simon Dejung, CUO, Global Cyber and Technology, Axis Re

Jazmin Seijas Nogareda, CFO and Head of HR, Korean Re

Fabian Pütz, Chief Executive Officer, Echo Re

Philippe Regazzoni, Chief Executive Officer, Toa Re

Cristina Ferrari, Chief Underwriting Officer, VIG Re

Lauren Kent, President International Insurance, Axis Re

André Liebkopf, Head of Property and Aviation—Reinsurance, International, AXA XL

Steve Arora, Chief Executive Officer, Alpine Reinsurance 

Pascal Millaire, Chief Executive Officer, CyberCube 

Reto Koller, Chief Executive Officer–Active Reinsurance, Helvetia Swiss Insurance Company

Tony Buckle, Partner, UWX

Konrad Niggli, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner, Synpulse

Benedikt Schmid, Chief Information and Data Officer, MS Reinsurance

Charles Mathias, Deputy Chairman and Group Executive Director, Fidelis MGU

Sofia Kyriakopoulou, Head Data & Analytics Reinsurance - Group Digital & Technology, Swiss Re

Clemens Frey, Member of the Executive Committee, International Association of Actuaries

Massimo Renia, International CEO, Howden Re

David Flandro, Head of Industry Analysis and Advisory, Howden Re

Krista Bonneau, Chief Reinsurance & Exposure Officer, Arch Insurance

Dawn Dinkins, Chief Operating Officer and Global Head of Claims, Reinsurance, AXA XL

and more

Delegates will benefit from:

Exclusive networking opportunities await you, connecting directly with C-level executives who are actively shaping strategy within the industry.

This event is uniquely crafted – it's not your typical Monte Carlo or Baden-Baden gathering, nor is it a bustling trade show with thousands of attendees. Re/insurance Outlook Europe offers an intimate environment for very senior executives to forge meaningful connections, exchange ideas, and strengthen relationships, all while immersing themselves in valuable industry content.

Situated at the heart of Europe's largest reinsurance hub in Zurich, this event offers the perfect setting and timing. Benefit from a regionally focused gathering that brings together the crème de la crème of the reinsurance world.

Explore an agenda covering the biggest challenges in reinsurance, thoroughly researched with the industry’s most senior players.

The ground-breaking event is the latest in an ongoing series of events run by Intelligent Insurer with the aim of equipping industry players with the networks, insights and knowledge needed to progress their careers and drive the wider evolution of the re/insurance industry.

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