Allianz Group’s specialist carrier for corporate insurance business, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS), has appointed Jeremy Sharpe to lead its Global Distribution unit, succeeding Patrick Thiels.
Thiels will now lead its Mediterranean & Africa region, succeeding the current Regional Managing Director, Corinne Cipière who has been appointed to a Board of Management role at Allianz France from January 1st.
Sharpe is currently Head of Broker Engagement, International for AIG, and is based in London. He will be responsible for leading AGCS’s market-facing sales and distribution activities globally.
Sharpe has three decades of experience in the insurance industry, working in client, broker and insurer-side leadership roles. Prior to AIG, he was at HSBC Group where he was Global Head of Insurable Risk Management.
He has also worked in the international broking sector for HSBC Insurance Brokers, Glenrand and C.E. Heath. He will join AGCS from March 1st and will be based in London.
Until then, Patrick Thiels will hold dual responsibility for the Mediterranean & Africa region and Global Distribution.
Thiels will now be based in Antwerp and Paris, having been appointed Regional Managing Director for the recently expanded Mediterranean & Africa region. This covers France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy and the whole of Africa, including Allianz’ South African unit.
He joined AGCS in 2013 as Regional CEO Mediterranean when he was responsible for establishing this regional unit in its former setup. Previously, he led the Belgian and Luxembourg business for HDI Gerling.
Corinne Cipière moves to Allianz Group’s French national insurance company, Allianz France, where she has been appointed to the Board of Management as Chief Customer Officer. Before joining Allianz in 2016 she has held various management roles management roles at Royal Sun Alliance France and broker Marsh.
Henning Haagen, Allianz SE Board Member and Chief Regions & Markets Officer, commented: “I’m delighted to have attracted Jeremy to AGCS: he combines many years’ experience in the corporate insurance world with deep knowledge of client and broker relationships, and of sales and distribution, and will build on the strong foundation Patrick has established in setting up this global function for AGCS.
“I congratulate Corinne on her move to the Board of Allianz France and wish her well in that role, while welcoming Patrick in his new leadership position, where he is very strongly qualified to take charge of this important part of our global business.”
