HDI International AG, the retail international division of Talanx Group, will have a new management board chairman next month.
Dr Wilm Langenbach has been tapped to succeed Sven Fokkema, who Talanx said is leaving the insurance group “by mutual agreement and on the best of terms” at the end of the year to pursue new professional opportunities. As part of the transition, Fokkema’s replacement will take on the role on December 01.
Making the switch from AXA, the incoming HDI International AG chair will also sit on Talanx AG’s board of management. Langenbach’s predecessor, who joined the group in 2011, has held both posts since 2018.
Commenting on the appointment, Talanx management board chairman Torsten Leue stated: “Wilm Langenbach will further enhance the successful organic and inorganic growth of our international retail business.
“He has a highly impressive operational track record in our core markets in Latin America and Europe in particular. In addition, his entrepreneurial mindset makes him an extremely good cultural fit for the Talanx Group.”
Also “really looking forward” to working with the key hire is Talanx supervisory board chair Herbert Haas, who cited Langenbach’s “great deal” of international experience.
Langenbach most recently served, simultaneously, as chief executive of AXA Mediterranean Holding, chief financial officer of AXA international and new markets, and strategic development officer for the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region.
Meanwhile, Haas and Leue had nothing but nice words for their departing colleague.
“Mr Fokkema did a very good job and made a major contribution to our group’s successful internationalization,” noted Haas. “I would like to wish him every possible success, both personally and professionally, in the future.”
Leue wished Fokkema all the best as well, while expressing gratitude for the latter’s role in advancing the international growth of Talanx’s retail business.
