French reinsurer SCOR has appointed Claire McDonald as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SCOR Business Solutions (SBS), the firm’s large corporate risks insurance unit which was previously known as SCOR Specialty Insurance.
Effective September 1st, 2024, McDonald joins from HDI Global SE, and takes over from Romain Launay, who is leaving SCOR to pursue new professional opportunities.
In her new role, McDonald assumes responsibility for affirming SBS’s position as a technical specialty commercial insurer, and will have a focus on building a balanced and resilient portfolio, in line with the targets set out in SCOR’s three-year strategic plan Forward 2026.
She will also serve as a member of the Executive Committee, and be based in London, reporting to Jean-Paul Conoscente, CEO of SCOR P&C.
“With more than 20 years of underwriting and senior leadership experience, Claire is an excellent addition to the P&C team. Her deep expertise, acquired in all areas of specialty insurance throughout her career, will bring us even closer to our clients,” said Conoscente.
“I look forward to working alongside her, as we continue to leverage on favorable market conditions. I would like to thank Romain Launay who has helped double the size of our specialty insurance business during his time at SCOR P&C, and I wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” he added.
McDonald brings a wealth of experience to SCOR, having joined Allianz in 1987 as an underwriter focused on Commercial Lines, Property and Energy, before specialising in Onshore Energy. Over the years, she held numerous roles within Allianz, including as Head of Energy EMEA at Allianz Global Risks/Allianz Global Corporate & Commercial, Chief Underwriting Officer for Energy globally for Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE, and as Head of Operations at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty in London and Paris.
She stayed with Allianz until 2019, when she joined HDI Global SE as Managing Director for the UK and Ireland. In 2022, McDonald was appointed as a member of the Executive Board as CUO responsible for Property, Engineering, Marine and Risk Consulting.
“I am delighted to welcome Claire to the Executive Committee. In addition to her extensive track record, her recognized leadership qualities together with her innovative and forward-thinking mindset will be a valuable asset for SCOR. I extend my gratitude to Romain Launay, who is leaving SCOR after twelve years. During that time, he climbed the ladder to support the company’s development at the highest level and contributed significantly to the Group’s success. I wish him every success in the next stage of his career,” said Thierry Léger, CEO of SCOR.
