Swiss Re appoints Higginbotham as new CEO of Asia reinsurance as Plunkett decides to leave

Swiss Re has appointed Russell Higginbotham as new CEO of Asia reinsurance and regional president, succeeding Jayne Plunkett, who has decided to pursue opportunities outside the company.

Higginbotham has been with Swiss Re for nearly 25 years in various roles. Before his current role as CEO Reinsurance EMEA and regional president, he led Swiss Re's global Life & Health (L&H) products division. Prior to that, he served as CEO of Swiss Re UK & Ireland, CEO of Swiss Re Australia and New Zealand and led the company's L&H businesses in Japan and Korea.

Swiss Re said Higginbotham's successor as CEO reinsurance EMEA and regional president will be announced in due course.

Walter Kielholz, Swiss Re chairman, said: "Considering Russell Higginbotham's experience across Asia and a very strong track record in the industry, we are confident that he is the ideal candidate to succeed Jayne Plunkett in leading our Asia business."

Kielholz added: "On behalf of the Swiss Re Board of Directors, I would like to personally thank Jayne Plunkett for her contribution, engagement and dedication to Swiss Re for close to 20 years. Under her leadership, our Asia business continued to grow at a steady pace, and we've increased our focus on China.

"During her tenure at Swiss Re Jayne has had a successful career, during which she held various leadership roles with increasing responsibility. Prior to her current role she served as global Head Casualty Reinsurance and Head of Casualty Underwriting for Asia, where she focused on growing and developing our business in response to technological changes."

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