Talanx completes ‘generational shift’ at board level

Talanx, the German re/insurer, has renewed its board in what it has called a “generational shift”.

Christian Hinsch, the board member responsible for the company’s industrial lines division, will be stepping down on 9 May 2019 after the Talanx annual general meeting. Hinsch then he plans to retire from the board of HDI, Talanx’s principal shareholder, on 19 June 2019.

Edgar Puls has been chosen to succeed Hinsch on both boards and will also become the chief executive officer of HDI Global.

David Hullin will take over responsibility for the areas managed by Puls on the board of HDI Global SE.

Previous changes saw Torsten Leue succeed Herbert Haas last year as chief executive.

While Ulrich Wallin, who is responsible for reinsurance business, is stepping down at the end of the Annual General Meeting of Hannover Rück on 8 May 2019, as previously announced. Wallin will be succeeded by Jean-Jacques Henchoz.

Herbert Haas, chairman of the Talanx board, said: ."The supervisory board is deeply indebted to Dr Hinsch for his outstanding work in the Talanx Group and in the area of Industrial Lines. The growth, increasing internationalisation and very good reputation of the HDI Group - including in the industrial sector - are closely linked to Dr Hinsch's name.

“In Dr Puls a candidate who will further strengthen and expand the Industrial Lines division emerged from within our own ranks after an intensive selection process. The supervisory board wishes Dr Puls every success in his new assignment."

Torsten Leue, CEO of Talanx AG and chairman of the board of HDI Global SE, added: "I would like to thank Dr Hinsch for our very good, trusting and constructive cooperation. We have benefited enormously from his exceptional expertise in industrial insurance and from his loyalty. He has made a decisive contribution to the success of Talanx. At the same time, I am looking forward to the ongoing cooperation with Dr Puls and Mr Hullin. In his role as CEO, Dr Puls will continue the systematic drive to boost the profitability and international profile of HDI Global SE and enhance its corporate culture. Mr Hullin, in his new position, will similarly press ahead with the rehabilitation of the fire insurance portfolio, which is already well on track. I wish them both every success in their new tasks."

From 9 May 2019 the Talanx board members will be Torsten Leue, CEO,, Sven Fokkema, retail international, Jean-Jacques Henchoz, reinsurance, Dr Edgar Puls, industrial lines, Dr Immo Querner, CFO, and Dr Jan Wicke, retail Germany.

The HDI Global SE board will consist of Dr Edgar Puls, CEO, Frank Harting, corporate division, industry division, marketing, David Hullin, property, engineering, marine, multi-risk, division Europe, Clemens Jungsthöfel, finance and controlling, Dr Thomas Kuhnt, projects, organisation, IT and group accident, Dr Stefan Sigulla, motor, liability, financial lines, and Jens Wohlthat, global division, specialty business.