Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty Africa has embarked on a major expansion drive to boost the company’s massive growth plans across Africa.
Four new heads of business have joined the company since the beginning of this year and will be based in the Johannesburg office. These new roles reinforce the company’s commitment to growth sectors and increase its footprint within the region. The appointments are:
– Wolfram Schultz has joined with the role of Head of Liability. He joins from Guy Carpenter in Germany where he was Managing Director responsible for placing worldwide liability reinsurance treaty strategies for German, Swiss, Austrian and central European clients, including AGCS.
– Alexandra Grant is appointed Head of Financial Lines, where she brings experience within both the UK and European financial lines sector. Ms Grant was previously Corporate Manager Financial Lines at insurer AIG UK. Her financial lines experience includes industries such as pharmaceuticals, mining, manufacturing, retail, construction and private equity.
– Seelan Naidoo has started with the company as Head of Engineering & Property. Mr Naidoo previously worked for AIG South Africa as Energy and Engineered Risk Profit Centre Manager – South Africa. Mr Naidoo career has extended across liability, property and energy sectors of the South African insurance market.
– Geoffrey Tanton has joined the company as Head of Package & Multi-Line. He was previously Group Underwriting Manager of Omnicover (Pty) Ltd, responsible for both personal and commercial lines having worked for the majority of his career in commercial lines underwriting roles.
– Mark Govender has been appointed Head of Marine. He joins from Chartis Insurance SA where he was Marine Underwriting Manger with responsibility for developing portfolio strategies and policy wordings.
Background
AGCS is not just focussing on SA but is keen to expand throughout the continent, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. The Sub-Saharan economic area is forecast to grow by more than 5% over this year. The growth trend is expected to continue given the region’s economic potential, requirements for infrastructure development and particularly its richness in natural resources.
Delphine Maidou CEO of Africa Pty Ltd comments: “As part of AGCS’s global growth strategy, South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa are important markets. I am pleased to welcome the new additions to the team. We are clearly stating to the market that AGCS is committed to building strong roots for the future. AGCS Africa is looking to grow significantly and being able to bring in further expertise will help us achieve this. Our plan is to use our established team in Johannesburg as the hub for sub-Saharan Africa in general. We will continue to focus on working with local brokers and having an active team of people on the ground in countries where the business is generated. As we continue to grow I look forward to strengthening the team further.”
