QBE nabs new Europe insurance director from Zurich to drive growth

QBE Insurance Group has tapped a senior Zurich executive to lead the expansion of its offerings in Continental Europe, where the company has ambitious plans for growth.

Beatriz Valenti (pictured) has been appointed as director of insurance for QBE Europe. Based in Barcelona, she will report to Cécile Fresneau, managing director – insurance.

Valenti takes over the role from Andrea Brock who has been acting as interim Europe executive director and will soon resume her previous position as general manager of QBE’s German operation.

Valenti joins QBE from Zurich, where she has held numerous roles for the past 20 years, her most recent as head of commercial Spain/CEO Global Corporate Spain. Prior to that, she performed roles across underwriting and client management, including head of relationship corporate customers (Global Corporate EMEA), head of Middle Market Proposition (EMEA) and the head of financial lines and international business (Global Corporate Spain). Valenti also has broking experience, having spent some time at Marsh in Spain and Marsh & McLennan UK.

Fresneau said: “I am delighted to welcome Beatriz to the team at a time when we have ambitious and exciting plans for Europe. Beatriz’s track record, experience and leadership style make her an excellent addition to our team, and I very much look forward to working with her.”

Beatriz commented: “I am really looking forward to joining QBE, this is a tremendous opportunity to build on QBE’s excellent foundations in Continental Europe and I am really looking forward to joining the team and getting stuck in. QBE has ambitious plans for Europe, some of which we have already started to see take shape, and I look forward to putting all my energy, passion and effort into delivering QBE's growth agenda and working alongside some great people.”

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