Allianz is strengthening its presence in the Benelux region by integrating Allianz Belgium (including Luxembourg) and Allianz Netherlands. Robert Franssen, currently CEO of Allianz Belgium, will lead the integration.
“Benelux is one of our core European regions and as a whole the fourth largest insurance market in Europe,” explains Dieter Wemmer, Member the Board of Management of Allianz SE in charge of Allianz Belgium and Allianz Netherlands. “Yet, to successfully tackle the challenges of such mature markets, we need to build up critical size.” Robert Franssen adds: “The integration of Allianz Belgium and Allianz Netherlands will allow us to jointly invest in state-of-the-art IT systems, modern processes and technical expertise. Sharing our local best practices will enable us to further improve our services to our customers, brokers and business partners and will put us ahead of competition to foster growth. For 2013, our key priority is to ensure a smooth transition for all of our stakeholders. Therefore, we have decided for a gradual integration, guaranteeing the continuity of our services while in parallel defining a future-proof and winning market and operating model.”
As a first step, the composition of the boards of management of Allianz Belgium and Allianz Netherlands will be modified. Robert Franssen will become chairman of both boards. He will also lead the overall integration project and regional coordination team. This team is completed by Sjoerd Laarberg who becomes General Manager of Allianz Netherlands, Wilfried Neven as General Manager of Allianz Belgium, Eric Schneijdenberg as COO and Jean-Pascal Vialaron as CFO.
Ron van het Hof, currently CEO of Allianz Netherlands, will assume a new responsibility, which will be announced in due course.
All changes to the boards of Allianz Belgium and Allianz Netherlands are still subject to the necessary internal and regulatory approvals.
