RenaissanceRe adds former WeWork COO to board as Hamilton retires

Bermuda-based reinsurer  RenaissanceRe Holdings has nominated a new independent director to its board as Jean Hamilton is set to retire in May 2022.

Shyam Gidumal (pictured) has been nominated to stand for election as an independent director of the company at its Annual General Meeting of shareholders.

Gidumal has over 35 years of experience in operational leadership, digital transformation, and strategy development as a senior executive, board member, private equity investor and advisor. He was most recently the chief operating officer and president of WeWork from 2020 to 2021, and previously a principal at EY, leading the consumer products and retail segment. Over his career he has held several executive roles, including at Worldcom (Asia), Acterna, Armstrong Furniture, and The Boston Consulting Group. He has also been a Member of the Board of Directors of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society since 2014.

Kevin O’Donnell, president and chief executive officer of RenaissanceRe, said: “On behalf of the RenaissanceRe executive team and my fellow directors, we are delighted to announce Shyam’s nomination to our Board. Shyam brings a wealth of operational and advisory experience, and we look forward to his guidance and oversight as we continue to optimize our expanded platform.

“We would also like to thank Jean and recognise her distinguished service on our Board during her 17-year tenure. The executive team and I have benefited greatly from her wise counsel, strategic thinking and diversity of viewpoint. We wish her all of the best in her retirement.”

James Gibbons, non-executive chair of RenaissanceRe, added: “The RenaissanceRe Board is pleased to nominate Shyam for election by our shareholders. Shyam’s proven leadership across varied industries and innovative approach to operational change will support the Board in overseeing RenaissanceRe’s expanded global footprint on behalf of our shareholders.

“The Board also thanks Jean for her outstanding leadership over her tenure as director. We are grateful for the significant contributions she has made to the success of RenaissanceRe, in particular in her capacity as former Chair of the Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, active involvement across many of our committees, and most recently in her proactive role in advancing our Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) strategy.”

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