Cliff Falkenhagen is to succeed Wolfgang Jöbkes, who is retiring after more than 46 years with the DEVK Group, as Chief Underwriter Officer (CUO) of DEVK RE, the reinsurance subsidiary of the German insurer.
Since 1987, Jöbkes has successfully headed DEVK’s ceded reinsurance department. Following the creation of DEVK Rückversicherungs- und Beteiligungs-AG in 2001, he took on the responsibility of developing the incoming reinsurance business.
His long and impactful career culminated in his present leadership position as CUO and General Representative.
Member of the Executive Board, Dr. Fabian Pütz, commented: “Wolfgang Jöbkes has developed incoming reinsurance from a niche business into a profitable growth engine and has contributed significantly to the success story of DEVK RE with premiums written exceeding EUR 1 billion premium from non-DEVK business in the 2025 financial year.”
Falkenhagen is to take over his new role as CUO on January 1, 2026, with Jöbkes retiring at the end of February 2026. This will ensure a two-month transition period.
The executive has been with DEVK Group for 20 years, having started in 2005 as an integrated degree student and assistant underwriter. He advanced to team manager for incoming reinsurance, significantly contributing to the reinsurance business in Europe and North America.
Appointed Executive Vice President in early 2023, he currently oversees three underwriting divisions (DACH, UK & CEE, North America) plus analytics and controlling.
“Cliff Falkenhagen knowns our business and the team inside out and has already played a decisive role in shaping DEVK RE’s underwriting organization in recent years,” says Dr. Fabian Pütz. “I look forward to working with him and the entire team to lead DEVK RE from a position of strength into an even more successful future.”
