Peak Re eyes European expansion after poaching Swiss Re veteran

Peak Re AG, the wholly-owned European subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based global reinsurer  Peak Reinsurance Company, has hired a  Swiss Re veteran as it seeks to expand in the European property & casualty (P&C) market.

Karlheinz Render has been appointed senior vice president Europe, effective August 1. He succeeds Emmanuel Thommen, former senior vice president at Peak Re AG, who is set to retire.

Render will join Peak Re AG from Swiss Re, where he served in various client management and underwriting roles over nearly three decades. Most recently, he led Swiss Re’s large clients division in Germany and was accountable for the inforce and new business development of large German P&C clients. He also served on the leadership team for the Northern, Central and Eastern European P&C markets. Previously, Render held various responsibilities, including client management and underwriting in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, and Latin America.

In his new role, Render will be tasked to develop Peak Re’s market position in Europe in the property & casualty (P&C) markets of the DACH region (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland). Based on his extensive experience in client markets and underwriting in the reinsurance industry, he will be responsible for developing and maintaining client relationships in the region by providing tailored solutions.

Render will report to Matteo Cussigh, chief executive officer of Peak Re AG. He will be based in Zurich.

Cussigh commented, "We are delighted to welcome Mr. Render to join our international client markets team. Expanding Peak Re’s franchise in Europe is a key building block in our global diversification and growth strategy. With his extensive experience in Europe, and Peak Re’s proven international underwriting and analytical capabilities, Mr. Render will contribute to strengthening our client relationships on the ground to support our clients.”

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