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Allianz Global Assistance has a new man at the helm. The Canadian travel insurance and assistance provider has appointed Chris Van Kooten (pictured) as chief executive officer (CEO), effective immediately.
Van Kooten joins Allianz Global Assistance from Guy Carpenter Canada, where he held the position of managing director. In this role, he took charge of strategic relationship management, new business prospecting, designing comprehensive reinsurance programs, developing new products and advising on insurance technology solutions.
In the past, the insurance veteran also held actuarial roles with increasing responsibility at both The Co-operators General Insurance Company and Economical Insurance, leading to his appointment as chief underwriting officer with Economical.
“We’re extremely pleased to have Chris join our Canadian executive team as CEO,” said Mike Nelson, CEO of global travel insurance & Americas for Allianz Partners. “He’s a driven and dynamic leader with proven success at building a ‘customer-first’ culture within his teams. I’m confident his extensive leadership and industry experience will position him well to deliver long-term, sustainable growth and profitability for Allianz Global Assistance and its valued partners.”
In his new role as CEO for Allianz Global Assistance, Van Kooten has been tasked with scaling the firm’s service capabilities for some of Canada’s top brands, while ensuring top quality end-to-end experience for customers. Furthermore, Van Kooten is set to pursue sustainable growth for Allianz Global Assistance and its long-standing partners across all of its strategic distribution channels, including its financial services, travel, insurance broker and group benefits lines of business.
“I’m delighted to join the Allianz Global Assistance Canada team,” Van Kooten commented. “Brandishing strong roots in Canada and unparalleled global capabilities, the company has a track record of impressive growth. I intend to lead our company in accelerating this momentum while empowering our associates to make a positive impact on the lives of Canadian travellers in their time of need.”
