Swiss insurer Helvetia’s hunt for new CEO ends at Dutch NN Group

Swiss insurer  Helvetia has found a new chief executive officer (CEO) it had been searching since October of last year. The new boss, currently the CEO of international insurance at Dutch NN Group, will take up the role in October 2023.

Fabian Rupprecht (pictured) will join Helvetia as chairman of the executive management and group CEO on October 1, replacing Philipp Gmür, who at the end of 2022 announced his departure after 30 years with the company, 13 of them as CEO of the Swiss domestic market and seven as group CEO.

Gmür said he will be stepping down in mid-2023, declaring it is time for him to “start a new chapter”.

Rupprecht is currently CEO of international insurance and a member of the management board at the Dutch NN Group since 2018. Throughout his 28-year career in the insurance industry, Rupprecht has worked in both life and non-life insurance, having held various international management positions at the AXA Group, including that of CEO of the Middle East and Africa Region, and CFO for Emerging Markets and the Mediterranean Region.

Helvetia chair Thomas Schmuckli described Rupprecht as an “outstanding management figure” with extensive insurance experience in its key markets. He said: “Rupprecht has successfully led and further developed the international division of NN Group. His past experience means he is also familiar with the Spain and Switzerland markets, which are important for Helvetia.”

“The Board of Directors is looking forward to working together with Fabian Rupprecht and all employees in continuing to successfully shape the future of the company. We would like to wish Fabian Rupprecht much success and satisfaction in his new role,” Schmuckli added.

Schmuckli thanked Gmür for his “great contribution and the dedication he has shown to successfully developing Helvetia over the past three decades.”

The decision on the successor as Group CEO of Helvetia is subject to the approval of the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).

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