Reinsurance giant Swiss Re has adjusted its leadership for the Asia region, naming Russell Higginbotham as its new CEO Reinsurance Asia, after the previous leader in that role Jayne Plunkett decided to depart the firm.
Higginbotham has worked at Swiss Re for almost 25 years, in positions covering a range of business lines and geographies.
Most recently, Higginbotham took on the role of CEO Reinsurance EMEA and Regional President EMEA from August 2018, prior to which he led Swiss Re’s global Life & Health (L&H) Products Division.
Before that, Higginbotham held the position of CEO of Swiss Re UK & Ireland, CEO of Swiss Re Australia and New Zealand and had also led the reinsurers L&H businesses in Japan and Korea.
Subject to the necessary regulatory approvals Higginbotham will become CEO Reinsurance Asia and Regional President, as of 8th July 2019.
Walter B. Kielholz, Swiss Re Chairman, commented, “Considering Russell Higginbotham’s experience across Asia and a very strong track record in the industry, we are confident that he is the ideal candidate to succeed Jayne Plunkett in leading our Asia business.”
The reinsurance firm said it is pleased to be able to appoint an appropriate candidate from within to provide necessary continuity for its clients. It will appoint a successor to Russell Higginbotham as CEO Reinsurance EMEA and Regional President in due course.
Higginbotham moves into this new CEO of Asia reinsurance role as the incumbent Jayne Plunkett has decided to pursue career opportunities outside of Swiss Re, the company said this morning.
Kielholz continued, “On behalf of the Swiss Re Board of Directors, I would like to personally thank Jayne Plunkett for her contribution, engagement and dedication to Swiss Re for close to 20 years. Under her
leadership, our Asia business continued to grow at a steady pace, and we’ve increased our focus on China.
“During her tenure at Swiss Re Jayne has had a successful career, during which she held various leadership roles with increasing responsibility. Prior to her current role she served as global Head Casualty Reinsurance and Head of Casualty Underwriting for Asia, where she focused on growing and developing our business in response to technological changes.”
