Gallagher Re taps new Australia CEO from Munich Re; raft of hires from Swiss Re, Allianz & QBE

Global reinsurance broker  Gallagher Re has “significantly” strengthened its Australian operations with a raft of senior hires from Swiss Re, Allianz and QBE, including a new chief executive officer (CEO) from Munich Re.

The specialist broker started 2022 with a number of other senior appointments in Australia, to be led by new CEO Heather Bone (pictured), who will join the business on March 16.

Bone will lead the company’s operations in the country, working closely with Cameron Green, chairman of Gallagher Re, Australia.

Bone has more than 20 years of industry experience, and comes from Munich Re where she has been since 2019, serving as head of strategy, non-life, since 2020.

She will lead a team of new hires including Peter Button, executive director, who joined in February from Allianz; Natalie Ewart, senior account executive, who comes from Comminsure; Alessandro Simi, executive director, from QBE; Andrew Geldart, executive director, from Vero; and Vanessa Hutcheon, senior account executive, from Swiss Re.

Green said: “Led by Heather, the calibre of the individuals joining Gallagher Re in Australia not only reinforces our already very strong position in the region but sends a signal to the market that we have ambitious plans and clear intentions and there’s more to come.

“Heather is an accomplished actuary and experienced leader in the insurance sector, with a proven record of driving business success through building a deep understanding of customer needs, and I have no doubt she will be an invaluable addition to our proposition. This is a very exciting time for our business in Australia.”

Tony Melia, CEO, International, Gallagher Re, added: “Heather is an outstanding addition to an already first-class team and I have every confidence that under her direction the business in Australia will go from strength to strength.”

Did you get value from this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.