Swiss Re’s top leader to exit after 22 years, Canada CEO takes spotlight

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has revealed a new head of UK, Ireland, South Africa, and EMEA wholesale to replace Melanie Slack, who is leaving Swiss Re after leading the commercial insurance arm for years.

Adrian Hall (pictured), currently CEO of Canada and chief agent at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, has been appointed to take on a greater role as of September 2023 and move from Toronto to London.

Hall will succeed Slack as head of UK, Ireland, South Africa, and EMEA wholesale. Following a handover period, Slack is planning to leave the company for retirement after 22 years of service.

Slack joined Swiss Re in 2001 as the life & health technical chief underwriter for Europe, Asia and Latin America. After holding a variety of senior management roles within Swiss Re Group, she was appointed head UK, Ireland and South Africa at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions in 2021.

Hall began his career in the insurance industry nearly 30 years ago in London. He has held several senior leadership positions in the Middle East, Latin America, and Canada, and joined Swiss Re Corporate Solutions in 2017 as the head of Canada, where he provided leadership in all aspects of the Canadian business, including underwriting, claims, product development, operations, distribution management, and marketing.

In his new role, Hall will lead Swiss Re Corporate Solutions’ sub-regional teams in London, Dublin, and Johannesburg, focusing on enhancing the company’s services for brokers and clients. He will also pay special attention to the international programmes business and innovative risk transfer space, and support the roll-out of Risk Data and Services, a strategic initiative launched last year helping clients take back control of their risks.

Nina Arquint, CEO EMEA at Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, said: "We are immensely grateful for all the contributions that Melanie has made over the last 22 years with Swiss Re Group. I always admired her professionalism, integrity and positivity. We wish Melanie all the best for her retirement. I'm very pleased that we were able to find her successor within our own ranks. With his strong leadership experience and outstanding industry knowledge, I'm convinced that Adrian is ideally positioned to drive Swiss Re Corporate Solutions' continued growth in the UK, Ireland, South Africa and the EMEA Wholesale markets."

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