Allianz shakes up global industry solutions leadership in new AGCS strategy

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS),the corporate insurance carrier of Allianz Group, has shuffled the leadership of its industry solutions practice on a global level, as it looks to enhance its distribution strategy and evolve client relationship management and service levels.

Effective January 1, 2023, current regional head of distribution Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) at AGCS, Martin Zschech (Pictured) will be appointed to the newly created role of global head of industry solutions & client management.

Additionally, Zschech will take on the role of global industry solutions director for financial services from Paul Schiavone who is leaving AGCS to pursue other opportunities outside the company. Before taking on the regional distribution leadership role, Zschech oversaw the CEE Financial Lines underwriting team from 2014 to 2019.

Zschech will report to Jeremy Sharpe, global head of distribution, and in his new role will increase the focus on driving AGCS’ industry-led distribution approach of the Global Industry Solutions (GIS) to the next level across the business and also lead the client management strategy to ensure an optimal service level for clients, the insurer said in a statement.

GIS is a key part of the new AGCS strategy. Zschech will lead the GIS team that acts as single point of contact for clients to drive solutions across all lines of business and other Allianz entities, working closely with underwriting and key account management.

With the creation of the new global leadership role, existing global industry solutions directors (GISD) Blanca Berruguete (construction), Jody Yee (technology, media & telecom), plus Nishma Tate in global client management, will all report into  Zschech. An additional GISD for energy and renewables will join the team in the coming months.

Further to this appointment, on January 1, 2023, Stephan Geis, currently regional head of financial lines CEE at AGCS will succeed Zschech as regional head of distribution for CEE. At that time, Alexandra Braun, currently chief underwriter commercial Germany for financial lines in CEE, will take on the role of regional head of financial lines CEE from Stephan Geis.

Henning Haagen, chief regions and market officer and board member of AGCS, said: “Clients and brokers are our priority, and we are grateful that we’ve seen very strong results in our annual customer satisfaction survey this year. In his new role, Martin will ensure that we continue to further develop our industry-focused distribution strategy and evolve our client relationship management and service levels in a globally consistent approach. With his underwriting background and customer insight, Martin will be an effective advocate for all customer topics in our organisation.”

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