Industrial insurer HDI Global SE has appointed Dr. Stefan Pasternak, currently Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Munich Re subsidiary, Great Lakes Insurance SE, to succeed Dr. Christian Hermelingmeier as its new CFO.
Hermelingmeier moves internally within the Talanx Group as CFO of Hannover Re, effective April 1st, 2025.
Pasternak brings with him an international career spanning 25 years within the Munich Re Group, 17 of which in leadership positions. He is a proven reinsurance and primary insurance expert who has previously served as CFO at ERGO Grubu in Turkey, ERGO DAUM in South Korea, and has also worked in London and Milan.
Hermelingmeier has been CFO at corporate & specialty insurer HDI Global SE since September 2020. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of HDI Reinsurance Ireland SE.
During Hermelingmeier’s tenure, the foreign business share has increased from 50% to 75% of the total business volume of currently around €11 billion premiums, and the corporation’s net income has surged by around 300% to more than €300 million.
Torsten Leue, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of HDI Global SE and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Talanx AG, commented, “Dr Christian Hermelingmeier has proven his competence and leadership quality impressively on the board of HDI Global.
“I would like to thank him for his highly successful work and wish him every success for his upcoming challenge within the Talanx Group. I wish Dr Stefan Pasternak the best of luck for his task – he is a great fit for HDI Global due to his leadership and expertise.”
Dr. Edgar Puls, member of the Board of Management of Talanx AG, responsible for the Corporate & Specialty Division and CEO of HDI Global SE, added, “I am happy for Christian and sincerely thank him for the excellent cooperation. With commitment, team spirit and dedication, he has significantly supported the very successful development of HDI Global SE.
“Dr Stefan Pasternak will drive the continued success of HDI Global with his competence and international experience. In addition to his professional expertise, he is an excellent fit for our Executive Board team – he lives our values Together, Ownership and Performance.”
Hermelingmeier concluded, “I would like to thank my colleagues and the Supervisory Board for the great cooperation and trust in the past years. Working at HDI Global has been very fulfilling. At the same time, I am looking forward to the next major challenge.”
This personnel change is subject to approval by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
From April 1st, 2025 the members of the HDI Global Executive Board will be Dr. Edgar Puls, CEO; Ralph Beutter, Board Member until May 31st, 2025; Dr. Mukadder Erdönmez, Third-party Liability, Cyber Insurance and Motor; Dr, Dirk Höring, Property Insurance, Engineering Insurance, Marine Insurance, HDI Risk Consulting; David Hullin, Regions Europe, Americas, Asean, South Africa and Middle East, Dr. Barbara Klimaszewski-Blettner, Claims Management / Region Germany; Dr. Thomas Kuhnt, COO, IT and Accident & Health; Dr. Stefan Pasternak, CFO; and Dr. Renate Strasser, Specialty Lines.
