HDI hires Allianz talent as it creates new specialty unit

German industrial lines insurer HDI Global has hired a senior long-serving Allianz executive to fill the position of UK and Ireland managing director.

Claire McDonald will assume the new role from March 2019. She was most recently global head of operations at Allianz Global & Corporate Specialty, having worked for over 31 years within the Allianz group of companies.

The appointment follows the formation of HDI Global Specialty, a new specialty lines insurer created from the merging of the specialty lines activities of Hannover Re and HDI Global.

McDonald replaces the company's former UK and Ireland managing director Richard Taylor, who is joining HDI Global Specialty as a member of the executive board of management responsible as chief marketing officer and UK managing director.

Meanwhile, Alan Waters has been appointed as interim UK and Ireland managing director. Waters has worked for HDI as director of corporate risks for over eight years and is a member of the UK and Ireland executive committee.

“We are delighted to have attracted a leader of Claire’s calibre,” said Jens Wohlthat, HDI executive board member. “She combines strong insurance industry knowledge with proven operational skills and expertise that will be important to us as we focus on delivering our strategic growth and business opportunity targets in the region,” Wohlthat added.

“Richard has served the company as our UK and Ireland managing director for over 10 years. I would like to thank him for his dedication and very successful work and we wish him every success in his new role within HDI Global Specialty SE.”

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