Trade credit insurer Euler Hermes Group has announced that Wilfried Verstraete, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of management, will be stepping down from his operational duties.
Clarisse Kopff will succeed him as CEO and Chairperson of the Board of Management as of 1 January 2021.
Kopff is currently Chief Financial Officer of Allianz France and began her career in debt origination at Lehman Brothers in London.
Verstraete will continue to serve Euler Hermes Group as an advisor to the new CEO through 2021 and will also retain board positions in Euler Hermes SA, Euler Hermes North America, Solunion and Euler Hermes Reinsurance AG.
“I am very grateful for the prolific and eventful years I have spent with the teams at Allianz France,” said Kopff.
“I joined the company at a key moment when the industry had to reinvent itself amidst a low interest environment. This challenge prompted us to invent new financial models, as well as accelerate our own digital transformation.
“I am honored to accept this position as Euler Hermes Group CEO. I thank Wilfried Verstraete for his trust.”
Commenting on his decision to step down from the company, Verstraete said, “It has been a real privilege to serve my teams and our clients as the CEO of Euler Hermes.
“I am proud to have witnessed the high potential of our teams unleashed, which resulted in expanding our market leadership and raising the bar of unparalleled customer service.
“Clarisse proved her talent and competence throughout her 16 years at Euler Hermes, where she was instrumental in creating a truly integrated Group reinforced by its strong financial performance.
“I am confident that with her visionary leadership, backed by her experience at Allianz France, Clarisse will take Euler Hermes to the next level and continue setting the standard for customer experience in trade finance.”
