Baloise optimises its business in Germany Donnerstag, 13. Dezember 2012 - 18:06

Under Frank Grund's leadership in Germany, Baloise has established a sound basis for achieving further profitable growth in this strategic core market, thanks to the successful separation of the Deutscher Ring companies and the subsequent integration of DR Leben and DR Sach into Basler Versicherungen. From the 21 December 2012, the entire business in Germany will operate under the "Basler Versicherungen" brand name. This achievement is due, not least, to the enormous efforts and commitment of Frank Grund, who successfully integrated the Securitas Versicherungsgesellschaft companies in 2003.

Baloise plans to pursue the further targeted development of the business by focusing growth more strongly on profitable segments and increasing the efficiency of operational processes. In the transport insurance, technical insurance and unit-linked life insurance segments, Baloise is among the leading providers in Germany. It aims to consolidate this position in a targeted way through efficiency gains linked to investment in its infrastructure.

For Martin Strobel it is clear that: "After the separation and extensive organisational integration, we are now in a position to take the next step towards optimising the business in our key German market. Basler Versicherungen in Germany will reduce costs and increase levels of efficiency. We will meet the demands of this challenging market through targeted growth." Under the leadership of the new CEO in Germany, Jan De Meulder, the team will draw up the necessary action plans and approve them with the committees.

After nine years of heading Basler Versicherungen and, since 2008, Deutscher Ring Leben and Deutscher Ring Sach, Frank Grund plans to pursue new professional opportunities. Baloise extends its thanks to him for his extraordinary efforts and commitment and wishes him all the best in his future career.

Jan de Meulder, the new CEO of Basler Versicherungen in Germany, will remain a member of the Baloise Group's Corporate Executive Committee. However, he will hand over the leadership of the Corporate Division International to Martin Strobel, who will also take over the Chair of the Supervisory Board of Basler Versicherungen. Thomas Sieber, Head of Corporate Center and member of the Corporate Executive Committee, will be the new Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board.

Clemens Fuchs (currently Head of Non-Life Insurance) will be leaving Basler Germany's Board of Directors at the end of 2012. Baloise thanks him for his achievements and wishes him every success in his future endeavours.

Alexander Tourneau is changing his role from CFO to Head of Non-Life Insurance. Jürg Schiltknecht (currently Regional Manager) will be the new CFO and will take up his seat on the Board of Directors, alongside Markus Jost (the new Head of Life Insurance and previously CEO of Baloise Life, Liechtenstein), as of January 2013. Resolutions on these appointments still need to be passed by the supervisory board members and approved by the supervisory authorities. Christoph Wetzel, COO, and Axel Obermayer, Head of Sales, remain members of the Board of Directors in their current roles.