Swiss Re has announced the appointment of Russell Higginbotham as chief executive officer of reinsurance in Asia and regional president, succeeding the outgoing Jayne Plunkett.
Higginbotham is an experienced leader who possesses deep familiarity with the Asia-Pacific region. He has been with Swiss Re for close to 25 years in various roles. Before his current role as CEO reinsurance EMEA and regional president, he led Swiss Re’s global life & health (L&H) products division. Prior to that, he served as CEO of Swiss Re UK & Ireland, CEO of Swiss Re Australia and New Zealand, and led the company’s L&H businesses in Japan and Korea.
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“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,” said Walter Kielholz, chairman of Swiss Re.
Higginbotham’s appointment is effective July 08 and subject to necessary regulatory approvals. Swiss Re said that his successor as CEO of reinsurance EMEA and regional president will be announced in due course.
Kielholz also recognized Plunkett for her almost two decades of work at Swiss Re.
“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,” said Kielholz. “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 of casualty reinsurance and head of casualty underwriting for Asia, where she focused on growing and developing our business in response to technological changes.”
