Everest brings Munich Re veteran to bolster reinsurance leadership

Bermuda-based  Everest Re Group hired a senior reinsurance executive from Munich Re in a newly-created role that it says is designed to strengthen the company's market position and accelerate progress toward its strategic plan objectives.

Reinsurance industry leader Jill Beggs is joining Everest as senior vice president and head of North America Reinsurance. Beggs will oversee the strategic direction of Everest’s reinsurance business in the US, Canada, and Bermuda, and will report directly to Jim Williamson, Everest Group COO and head of reinsurance.

Beggs has around 30 years of reinsurance underwriting expertise. She joins Everest from Munich Re where, over the last 20 years, she held various key roles leading US treaty and facultative programmes across multiple lines of business. She is also credited with spearheading the company’s innovation incubator and E&S insurance start-up.

Beggs spent the first 10 years of her career at Everest in treaty property underwriting in the US and Latin America.

Juan Andrade (pictured), Everest's president and chief executive officer, said: “ Everest’s leading global market position is fueled by exceptional talent. Adding Jill’s tremendous reinsurance experience to our seasoned team helps us to further capitalize on it.

“ Everest is building a well-diversified, world-class organisation set apart by our people, value proposition and entrepreneurial culture. We will continue to invest in the strength of our reinsurance and insurance franchises, positioning Everest to support future growth and create even greater value for our colleagues, customers and our shareholders.”

Beggs commented: “I’m thrilled to be returning to my roots with the incredible opportunity to build on the strength of Everest’s reinsurance franchise. Everest has always been known for exceptional quality and long-standing relationships with its brokers and cedents. I plan to optimize this position and further solidify Everest as an industry leader.”

In addition to Beggs appointment, the company has announced that Everest Insurance leader Connie Germano will be transitioning to its reinsurance division as senior vice president, treaty casualty & Surety. She succeeds Dennis Alba, who will retire in 2022 after a 40-year career in the industry.

Germano brings 35 years of casualty underwriting experience to the role and will report directly to Beggs. Most recently, Germano was president of specialty casualty at Everest Insurance. Prior to that, she held senior casualty underwriting roles with ACE in the US and Zurich, Switzerland.

“Jill is a widely-recognized industry talent who brings an extraordinary depth of experience leading teams through growth and transformation,” said Jim Williamson, group COO and Everest head of reinsurance. “This newly created position, combined with our recent promotions and appointments, is directly tied to our long-term strategy of solidifying our position as a leading global reinsurer. As we continue to position the business for the future, we are expanding advancement opportunities for our people that will ultimately better serve the market.”

Williamson added: “I want to thank Dennis for his significant contributions to Everest, and welcome Connie, who is a proven, capable leader, and highly respected by our clients and colleagues. Connie’s underwriting depth and experience gives us a strategic advantage as we continue to invest in one of our most successful and thriving businesses.”

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