Allianz lands AIG/Swiss Re leader with ‘tremendous reputation’ for key US role

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS), the corporate insurance carrier of Allianz Group, has shuffled its North American distribution team and landed a former AIG/Swiss Re leader with a “tremendous reputation in the marketplace” to support large corporate business expansion.

John Gambale (pictured) has been appointed to the role of regional head of distribution NA, large corporate, based in New York, reporting to Bill Scaldaferri, CEO and president of AGCS North America.

As part of the reorganisation, Rani Christie, formerly regional head of distribution, sales and marketing for NA, will lead the middle market division, also reporting to Scaldaferri, based in Atlanta.

Gambale joins AGCS from AIG, where he has held various leadership roles over the past 23 years. Most recently, as president, Northeast Zone, he was responsible for executing on go-to market strategies in the New York Metro, Mid-Atlantic and New England markets with oversight of more than 200 underwriters across all major property, casualty, financial lines and specialty product areas. Prior to his zonal distribution responsibilities, he held various local and national leadership positions with AIG Financial Lines. Gambale began his corporate insurance career at Swiss Re.

Scaldaferri said: “I am pleased to welcome John to AGCS as this is the next step in our evolution and a refinement of our focus to capture growth opportunities both in the Large Corporate and Middle Market arenas.

“John has a tremendous reputation in the marketplace as a results-oriented professional. At the same time, I am very happy that Rani will focus his talents on growing and optimising our Middle Market division, which is a critical growth segment for the company.”

He added: “We have strong momentum, and by redeploying resources we are driving more meaningful and productive engagement, honing our expertise and articulating our focus toward two very distinct yet crucial market segments.”

AGCS North America contributes about half of the overall AGCS global premium of $9.6 billion (2021). The business is focused on traditional P&C and specialty lines, including aviation, corporate property, entertainment, energy & construction, financial lines, marine and select liability lines. It also offers alternative risk transfer services for the large corporate segment and a dedicated MidCorp capability.

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