Swiss Re appoints Higginbotham as new EMEA reinsurance CEO

Swiss Re has appointed Russell Higginbotham as CEO reinsurance EMEA effective Sept. 1, 2018, replacing Jean-Jacques Henchoz.

Higginbotham is also becoming regional president EMEA and a member of the group executive committee. He worked for Swiss Re for 24 years in roles across multiple business areas and geographies. Most recently, he led Swiss Re's global life & health (L&H) products division. Previously, Russell Higginbotham 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.

"Russell Higginbotham has a very strong track record within Swiss Re, making him the ideal candidate to continue leading the growth of our business in EMEA,” said Swiss Re chairman Walter Kielholz. “Over the last few years, he has played a significant role in strengthening our L&H Products segment and improving its contribution to the group."

Henchoz has taken an opportunity outside of Swiss Re and will become the new Hannover Re CEO following Ulrich Wallin’s retirement in May 2019.

"On behalf of the Swiss Re board of directors, I would like to thank Jean-Jacques Henchoz for his contribution to Swiss Re throughout the past 20 years,” Kielholz said. “Before becoming CEO reinsurance EMEA and regional president EMEA, he held a number of leadership roles across the company with increasing impact over the years."

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