Allianz Trade in Asia Pacific has announced the appointment of Chris Markesteijn as Regional Head of Surety and Guarantees. The appointment will be effective from the 1st of August and will be based out of Singapore.
Markesteijn will report directly to the Regional CEO of Allianz Trade in Asia Pacific, Paul Flanagan, and also report to Global Head of Surety, Sean McGroarty. He is replacing Christopher Shortell who is assuming the role of Surety Services Director at Allianz Trade in Americas.
Commenting on Markesteijn’s appointment, Flanagan said: “We are excited to have Chris joining us and bringing along nearly a decade of experience in the surety and guarantees field with Allianz Trade. Asia Pacific is a diverse region in terms of customer needs and business arrangements. I am confident that Chris has the abilities and the tools to lead this line of business, which has been growing at a rapid pace in recent years, to new heights.”
Prior to this, Markesteijn was the Head of Multinationals Global Surety since early 2022 and was responsible for expanding the surety business with multinational accounts. He joined Allianz Trade in 2014, holding a range of positions in the surety and guarantees field in the Netherlands and was the Senior Risk Manager of the Group Surety Team between 2020 and 2022.
Prior to Allianz Trade, Markesteijn worked for several banks and financial companies and has proven to be a veteran in his field with 18-year experience in the financial industry.
McGroarty added: “APAC is an important part of our global surety platform and capabilities. Chris brings a strong commercial focus and diversified skill set as our new regional leader.”
Markesteijn commented, “I am very honoured to be appointed as Regional Head of Surety and Guarantees APAC and I am very grateful for the years I spent in the Dutch and Global Surety teams in which we showed a strong sustainable growth path. Together with our experienced surety teams in APAC, I look forward to continue that sustainable growth journey in this amazing part of the world, while leveraging on our local expertise and the global footprint that Allianz Trade is offering.”
Flanagan thanked Shortell for his time, commenting, “I also wish to congratulate Christopher Shortell for his 30-year career spent in Asia. I wish him and his family nothing but the best and I trust he will continue his success with our Americas team.”
