Talanx taps Langenbach from AXA to lead international retail

German insurer Talanx Group, the parent company of Hannover Re and HDI, has hired Wilm Langenbach from AXA to lead its retail international division. He replaces Sven Fokkema, who is leaving the group to pursue new opportunities.

Langenbach will also become a member of Talanx AG’s board of management and chairman of the board of management of HDI International AG with effect from December 1, 2020.

For the past five years, Langenbach was responsible for developing growth markets in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America at AXA Group, initially as COO and later on as CEO and CFO.

Most recently, he was CEO of AXA Mediterranean Holding, CFO of AXA International and New Markets, and strategic development officer for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Before joining AXA Group, he was a senior partner for the German and European insurance sector at McKinsey & Company.

Fokkema joined Talanx in 2011 and served in various key roles. He was appointed to Talanx AG’s board of management and as chairman of HDI International board in 2018.

Herbert Haas, chairman of Talanx AG’s supervisory board, said: “Fokkema did a very good job and made a major contribution to our Group’s successful internationalisation. I would like to wish him every possible success, both personally and professionally, in the future.” Torsten Leue, chairman of Talanx AG’s board, added: “Sven Fokkema and I worked together very well for a long time. He enhanced the international growth of the Talanx Group’s retail business. I would like to thank him for this and to wish him all the best for the future.”

Leue added: “Wilm Langenbach will further enhance the successful organic and inorganic growth of our international retail business. He has a highly impressive operational track record in our core markets in Latin America and Europe in particular. In addition, his entrepreneurial mindset makes him an extremely good cultural fit for the Talanx Group.”