Baloise CEO resigns after cancer battle, leaving Swiss insurer after 18 years

Baloise chief executive officer is to step down “at his own request” less than six months after he  returned to retake the reins at the Swiss insurer following cancer diagnosis and treatments. He will be leaving the company after 18 years of service, passing the baton to the long-serving CEO of its Swiss business.

Gert De Winter has decided to step down as group CEO and leave the group at the end of June. The board of directors of Bâloise Holding have appointed Michael Müller (Pictured) to replace him with effect from July 1.

Müller joined Baloise in 1997 and served in various financial roles in the group and in the Corporate Division Switzerland. In 2011, he then took over at the helm of the Swiss business as CEO, steering it through the challenges of the past twelve years. Müller is vice president of the Swiss Insurance Association (SIA) and a member of the executive committee of the Swiss Employers Confederation (SAV).

The decision on the new group CEO is subject to the approval of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). The process to find a successor to head up the Corporate Division Switzerland is expected to begin at the end of January.

De Winter had returned to retake the CEO reins at the Swiss insurer in the summer of 2022 after more than six months of cancer treatments. He had told Switzerland’s Handelszeitung that he had undergone six cycles of chemo and one major surgery for oesophageal cancer, during which time he lost 20 kilos, but was now “cancer-free and the prognosis is positive”.

“The decision to leave Baloise was not an easy one but, in the wake of events in my personal life over the past twelve months, I am certain that now is the right time to realign the priorities in my life,” De Winter said of his decision to step down.

“I would like to thank all my colleagues for the close and purposeful working relationship that we have established over the years. Our Baloise culture is unique, and I am confident that it will remain the key to the Company’s success going forward.”

The chairman of the board of directors Thomas von said: “Gert has been a huge asset to Baloise, and I would like to express my thanks to him on behalf of the entire Board of Directors. The insurance industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation and, since taking on his role, Gert has made sure that Baloise is fully prepared for these changes.”

Von Planta added: “We are delighted to have found an outstanding successor in Michael for the position of Group CEO, and he stood out from the field of internal and external candidates. Michael has got to know the insurance business from the ground up, and the fact that a former Baloise management trainee is now taking charge of the Company is testament to our long-term focus on developing the next generation of employees in preparation for the future. Michael represents continuity but will also provide impetus to take the Company forward in his new role. I wish Michael every success and I look forward to working with him, the Board of Directors, and all employees to write the next chapter in Baloise’s 160-year success story.”

Müller commented: “I am delighted and honoured to be appointed to the role of Group CEO. Gert is handing over a strong organisation, and I am highly motivated to lead our Baloise into the future with the rest of the team. I will build on the strengths of previous years in order to ensure Baloise remains a highly attractive, reliable and responsible company for our employees, customers and shareholders.”

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