Swiss Re Corporate Solutions appoints Chief Underwriting Officer; introduces Market Unit structure

27 February 2025 — Daniela GHETU

Swiss Re’s commercial insurance arm announced today that Katie McGrath is appointed Chief Underwriting Officer. It also unveiled a new organisational structure to serve corporates and brokers more closely at country level with the introduction of Market Units.

As of 1 June 2025, Katie McGrath, currently CEO North America, is appointed Chief Underwriting Officer of Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, succeeding Kera McDonald who is appointed Swiss Re's Group Chief Underwriting Officer as of the same date.

Katie McGrath joined Swiss Re Corporate Solutions in 2019 as Head Accident & Health North America. In 2022 she was appointed CEO North America. Katie McGrath has more than 25 years of experience across multiple roles in commercial insurance with a proven track record of growing sustainable businesses, combining technical expertise with a client-focused mindset and leading high-performing teams. She will continue to be based in New York, reporting to Ivan Gonzalez, CEO Swiss Re Corporate Solutions.

Ivan Gonzalez said: "Following Kera's well-deserved promotion, I am very pleased that we have such a strong successor in Katie. Disciplined underwriting is key for the long-term success of our business, and I'm confident that with this appointment we are well positioned to continue delivering technical excellence for our clients."

Market Units

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions has established itself as a specialized risk partner for companies around the world. To further empower clients to manage risks with innovative commercial insurance, it is introducing the following Market Units with the respective Heads:
 

  • Asia (Greater China, Japan, Southeast Asia): Robert Hunziker, Singapore
  • Australia & New Zealand: Kevin Bates, Sydney
  • Canada: James Gasco, Toronto
  • France: Bruno Mostermans, Paris
  • Germany (incl. Austria): Tina Baacke, Munich 
  • Ibero-America, Middle East & Africa: Angelo Colombo, Madrid
  • Switzerland, Benelux, Nordics, Italy: Michael Rüsch, Zurich
  • UK & Ireland: Nina Arquint, London
  • United States: Adrian Hall, New York

This new structure is expected to be effective 1 June 2025 with the designated Market Unit Heads reporting to Ivan Gonzalez, who said: "As the commercial insurance space is rapidly evolving, customer proximity is key when it comes to navigating the increasingly complex risk landscape. We firmly believe this new set-up will help us better address market-specific customer needs and further strengthen our partnerships."
 

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