Top Swiss Re Americas leader bows out after 17-years amid rejig

After nearly two decades at the forefront of  Swiss Re, its CEO of reinsurance Americas is set to exit the business at the end of September, following Swiss Re’s strategic restructuring in favour of a leaner organisational blueprint.

Jonathan Isherwood (pictured), CEO Reinsurance Americas, is leaving after 17 years at Swiss Re.

His departure follows changes announced in February aimed at streamlining the group’s organisational structure.

“The strategic decision to align across business units and the resulting shift away from a regional focus removed the need for the regional presidents’ roles,” Swiss Re said in a statement to Intelligent Insurer.

Isherwood joined the company in 2006 after Swiss Re’s acquisition of GE Insurance Solutions, where he worked since 2000 building GE’s risk management team and thereafter leading the global property division.

Isherwood joined Swiss Re as head of product integration. By 2007, he took the reins of the claims, accounting & liability management division, and in 2013 assumed the role of head global reinsurance.

He was appointed CEO Reinsurance Americas in April 2020, and regional president Americas and member of the group executive committee as of August 2020. In April 2023, he was appointed transformation lead Americas.

Swiss Re credited Isherwood for managing the transition in the Americas region.

Group chief executive officer Christian Mumenthaler said: “Under Jonathan’s leadership, we have expanded our strong market position in the Americas. On behalf of the Group Executive Committee, I thank him for his great dedication and outstanding commitment to Swiss Re and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

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