Leadership shake up at PartnerRe as CEO steps down
Reinsurance industry veteran Jacques Bonneau is set to retire from PartnerRe at the beginning of April, prompting a management reshuffle within the company.
Philippe Meyenhofer will succeed Bonneau as chief executive officer and take his place on the board of directors, effective April 1.
As part of the reshuffle, Jon Colello, CEO, P&C Americas, will assume the additional role of president of PartnerRe, with executive responsibility for all non-life underwriting, reporting to Meyenhofer. During the interim period, Bonneau will delegate most of his duties to Meyenhofer and Colello to ensure a smooth transition.
Furthermore, Christian Mitterer will assume the executive responsibility for specialty lines as CEO, effective immediately. Ingrid Gjonaj will join the executive leadership team as CEO, P&C EMEA.
Meyenhofer joined PartnerRe in 2010 and has held positions of increasing leadership since that time, most recently as a member of the executive leadership team and CEO, specialty lines. He was appointed to head of specialty casualty PartnerRe Global in 2013, to head of Europe P&C in 2016, and gained the additional responsibility of deputy CEO P&C in 2018. In 2020, he was named CEO of PartnerRe’s specialty lines. Meyenhofer will continue to be based in the Company’s Zurich office.
Colello is a member of PartnerRe’s executive leadership team and has had executive responsibility for leading PartnerRe’s property & casualty business in the US, Canada and Latin America, and for the company’s health business in the US since joining the company in 2019. He will continue to be based in Stamford.
Mitterer is a member of the executive leadership team and has served in various senior roles since joining PartnerRe in 2012, most recently as CEO P&C EMEA. Gjonaj started with PartnerRe in 2006, and during this time, she has held senior positions in legal, and underwriting in specialty casualty, P&C and currently serves as head of region, Western and Southern Europe.
Thierry Derez, chairman of the PartnerRe board of directors, said: “The fact that we are in the position to appoint PartnerRe’s next CEO and President from within the Company speaks to the strength and depth of talent in the organization. Together, Philippe and Jon bring a wealth of industry experience, proven business and leadership skills, and strong track record in underwriting combined with a deep knowledge of PartnerRe' clients, brokers and employees.”
He added: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to Jacques for his stewardship as CEO and President over the past three and a half years. Under his leadership, the Company’s business, strategic positioning, financial results, and operational excellence have been strengthened in important ways. Jacques also led the successful transition to Covéa ownership. Jacques has been a very dedicated and strong leader and we wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Bonneau commented: “I am proud of what we have achieved and the progress we’ve made in our various Business and Support Units and operations with the improvement in our executional performance and delivery for our numerous stakeholders. I am confident PartnerRe is well positioned for future success and Philippe, Jon and the Executive Leadership Team provide continuity with their in-depth knowledge and insight of PartnerRe’s people and business.”
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