AXA's Duverne succeeds Catlin as Insurance Development Forum chair

The Insurance Development Forum (IDF), a partnership of the World Bank Group, the United Nations Development Programme, and global insurers, has appointed Denis Duverne as chair of its steering committee, succeeding  Stephen Catlin.

The IDF has been formed with the aim of enhancing the world’s understanding of risk management and insurance and cutting the protection gap.

Catlin stressed that while progress has been slow in some ways, the body will now take great leaps forward in terms of its structure and ability to act.

“It was a tough task getting so many diverse bodies to act and do things quickly – it felt like I was climbing Everest in a bikini at times," Catlin said. "But we got there and I am proud of what we have achieved so far. I passionately believe in this project but I believe for it to be truly successful it needs a chair who is actively working in the industry and who has the drive to take it to the next level.”

He added that the next 12 months will be a year of action for the IDF, now many of its structural issues have been resolved. “The IDF is a bit like an iceberg, 90 percent of the work going on is unseen. Personally, I have learned a huge amount about the way in which public bodies operate and I can still put that to use as I will remain on steering groups. But it is time for someone else to take the reins.”

Duverne has served as non-executive chairman of the board of directors of AXA since 2016. He was previously deputy chief executive officer from 2010, and chief financial officer of the group from 2003, which he joined in 1995. Duverne has been a member of the IDF steering committee since 2016.

Catlin, the founder and former CEO of Catlin Group, has led the IDF as chair since its creation in 2016. Industry veteran Stephen Catlin told Intelligent Insurer that he feels he is leaving the Insurance Development Forum (IDF) poised to move in the right direction and make a difference to the world.

In addition, IDF has also appointed Ekhosuehi Iyahen as its first secretary general. Iyahen has held senior positions at the African Risk Capacity (ARC) and the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF).

As the IDF’s first secretary general, Iyahen will be responsible for establishing and building out IDF's Secretariat in London, hosted by the International Insurance Society. She will also support the design, development and implementation of the IDF’s operational activities.

“From just a concept a few years ago, the IDF has mobilized an extensive network of experts and influencers in
the insurance and development space and has made great strides in strengthening public-private dialogue," said Catlin. "I’d like to thank the IDF founders and participants for all their hard work to get it to where it is today.”

Catlin added: “The appointment of Ms. Iyahen as Secretary General comes at an important moment in the IDF’s development, complementing its current thought-leadership, partnerships and industry-shaping activities with a more operational focus,” said Stephen Catlin, Chair of the IDF Steering Committee.

Rowan Douglas, chair of the IDF operating committee and head of capital, science and policy practice at Willis Towers Watson, commented: “When Stephen became IDF Chair in 2016 it was a promising initiative, but he transformed it into a comprehensive Steering Group of industry leaders and has taken it to an entirely different level. I don’t know anyone else who could have taken this on and achieved it so successfully and we are enormously grateful for his drive and commitment. I extend my warmest thanks to Stephen and welcome the incoming chair, Denis Duverne to build on these rich foundations.”