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ACE announces key changes to management team in Germanic region ACE has made two senior management promotions within its Germanic division. Dankwart von Schultzendorff, Country President for the Germanic region, has been promoted to the newly created position of Chairman, Germanic region and Andreas Wania, Chief Operating Officer, Germany has been promoted to the position of Country President, Germany. In his new role Mr Von Schultzendorff will be responsible for maintaining and further developing ACE's relationships with clients and brokers, including the communication of the insurer's capabilities and risk appetite and the development of its customer proposition. He will also act as ACE's principal representative for major industry forums and associations in the region. He will be based in Hamburg.hideAdditionally, Mr Von Schultzendorff will support ACE's multinational segment across continental Europe more widely. He will continue to report to Joseph Clabby, Regional President, Continental Europe. Mr Von Schultzendorff has 23 years of insurance industry experience and has been with ACE in his current role for five years. Mr Wania will be responsible for all aspects of ACE's German operations, including setting strategy and direction, managing financial performance and delivering profitable growth. He will be based in Frankfurt and will retain his current responsibility for ACE's business in Turkey, supported by Country President Ebru Gurtan and her team in Istanbul. The above changes will take effect on 8 April, 2013, and are subject to regulatory approval. Andrew Kendrick, Chairman, ACE European Group, said: "Together, Germany, Switzerland and Austria represent a strategically important market cluster for ACE. Its economic outlook is stronger than most in Europe, powered in significant part by growing trade links with many emerging markets. These promotions reflect our continued commitment to building ACE's profile across continental Europe and further strengthening our relationships with brokers and clients, not least in the multinational segment." Mr Clabby said: "Dankwart's strong track record of managing our Germanic regional operations over the past five years, combined with his wider industry and broking experience make him the right choice for this important new market-facing role of chairman of our Germanic region. Meanwhile, Andreas' oversight of ACE's strategy and development in several markets as well as his recent experience as chief operating officer in Germany equip him perfectly for the role of country president. I look forward to working with them both to drive our business and market relationships to the next level." AGCS names Northcott as Regional Head Financial Lines Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) has appointed Kevin Northcott as the Regional Head of Financial Lines with overall responsibility for South Africa, Canada, Dubai, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Ireland. Based in the insurer's London office, his aim is to drive product development and expand the presence of ACGS in financial lines business, said AGCS. Mr Northcott has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, with 25 years in the Financial Lines sector. Since joining Allianz in 2005 he has held a number of senior roles in Europe and Asia Pacific. In 2009, Mr Northcott became the General Manager of AGCS in Hong Kong and then, in 2010, he took the role of CEO. Prior to joining AGCS, he worked at AIG and ACE. AGCS UK CEO, Carsten Scheffel, said: "I am pleased Kevin has joined us in London. With his breadth of experience, understanding of the market and knowledge he will be an asset to our business. I look forward to introducing him to our business partners. With an excellent team in place we have the skills and expertise to be a market leader in this field." ACE launches life science cover in continental Europe ACE has moved into the continental Europe life science insurance market as it looks to develop its casualty business in the region. ACE will now offer product and professional liability policies for a variety of firms based in Europe including biotechnology companies, highly specialised pharmaceutical companies with revenues of €500m or less and five products or fewer, medical equipment manufacturers and sponsors of human clinical trials worldwide. The insurer will also offer fronting capabilities for large, multinational pharmaceutical risks. Flexible capacity of up to €100m and occurrence and claims-made coverage will be available, depending on the product. As well as purchasing standalone insurance, companies can purchase protection as part of a wider casualty insurance programme with ACE. Country-specific offerings, tailored for each of ACE's key markets in continental Europe, will be rolled out in the coming months. Rosemary Ness, Casualty Manager for Continental and Central and Eastern Europe at ACE, said: "Life sciences provides another example of how ACE can bring its specialist expertise and global experience to bear for the benefits of its clients in continental Europe. This launch further underlines our capability and commitment to helping European businesses manage their specialty casualty needs." Connie Germano, Casualty Manager for Middle Market and Life Science for ACE in continental Europe, added: "The life science industry has unique challenges with complex insurance requirements that can only be met properly through expert knowledge and collaboration. Our team of risk engineers and underwriters, working together across ACE's global network, have the professional on-the-ground experience and specialist insight needed to design effective cover for European clients." KPMG names Phil Smart as UK Head of Insurance KPMG has appointed Phil Smart as UK Head of Insurance. Mr Smart joined KPMG in 1991 where he has been a partner for the past ten years. During this time he has been client lead partner for a number of major international insurance and financial services groups. In his previous role as Head of Solvency II, Mr Smart led KPMG's efforts in assisting clients with all aspects of implementing the new regime. His extensive experience of financial and regulatory reporting in the UK and overseas is reflected in his work leading global audits and transactions. Mr Smart said: "The insurance industry continues to face a range of challenges, including increased regulation, capital constraints and operational inefficiencies, all in the context of high levels of market competition. I look forward to building on KPMG's existing strong track record of delivery and industry expertise in assisting clients in dealing with these issues." Bill Michael, EMA Head of Financial Services at KPMG, added: "Phil brings energy, enthusiasm and tremendous market profile to the role. After a number of recent successes in the marketplace, he is perfectly positioned to further develop our insurance practice."

Corporate round-up

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