Global reinsurer Swiss Re’s Board of Directors plans to nominate Jean-Jacques Henchoz, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of large reinsurer Hannover Re, for election as a new, Non-Executive and Independent member of the Board.
The appointment is expected to last for a one-year term. Simultaneously, Larry Zimpleman, who has served on the Swiss Re Board of Directors since 2018 and is currently a member of the Risk and Audit Committees, has decided not to stand for re-election.
Henchoz served as Hannover Re CEO between 2019 and 2025, and previously worked at Swiss Re from 1998 to 2018, latterly as CEO Reinsurance EMEA, Regional President EMEA and as a member of the Group Executive Committee.
Currently, he is Chairman of the Board at BMS Group in London, a board member at Brit Group in London (until April 30th, 2026), and serves on the Supervisory and Foundation Boards of IMD in Lausanne.
Jacques de Vaucleroy, Chairman, Swiss Re, commented, “We are delighted to propose Jean-Jacques Henchoz for election to our Board as he brings outstanding reinsurance expertise, strategic thinking and proven leadership skills.
“And we would like to thank Larry Zimpleman for his outstanding dedication and valuable contributions over the past eight years and wish him all the best.”
Additionally, the reinsurer has appointed Henock Teklu as the Group Chief Transformation Officer & Chief of Staff, effective April 1st, 2026.
Teklu will serve as a member of the Group Executive Committee, based in New York. In his new role, Teklu will help orchestrate and oversee Swiss Re’s enterprise-wide transformation agenda.
The reinsurer explains that he has deep expertise anchoring from a two-decade long stint in leadership experience across investment banking, insurance and asset management. He joins Swiss Re from BlackRock Investment Management in New York.
In its 2025 results, the reinsurance giant reported a 47% hike in group net income to $4.8 billion in 2025.
