The Geneva Association has announced two key leadership appointments, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Darren Pain, currently director of cyber and evolving liability, will step into the role of director of research, succeeding Kai-Uwe Schanz. In addition, Dennis Noordhoek, director of public policy and regulation, will assume the newly created position of director of external stakeholder engagement.
According to a news release, Pain brings extensive expertise to his new role. Pain joined the Geneva Association in January 2021 as director of evolving liability. In 2022, he expanded his responsibilities to lead the cyber research portfolio. Before joining the Geneva Association, Pain worked at the Swiss Re Institute, where he led numerous sigma studies covering life and non-life insurance topics. His prior experience also includes roles at the Bank of England and the European Central Bank, where he held various analyst and management positions.
“I step into the role of director of research fully committed to advancing our current research priorities and programme of activities. There are also exciting opportunities to elevate our research agenda with a sharper focus on risk foresight and the role of re/insurance in managing those future exposures,” said Pain. “Anticipating emerging risks and their implications will be critical as we shape our 2026–27 agenda.”
Noordhoek joined the Geneva Association in 2012. He initially served as research manager for financial stability and regulation and was appointed director of public policy and regulation in April 2020. Noordhoek has authored several influential reports at the intersection of public policy, regulation, and insurance, including a September 2023 report on the regulation of artificial intelligence in insurance. In his new role, he will focus on strengthening relationships with policymakers, regulatory authorities, insurance associations, and multilateral institutions.
“This position offers a unique opportunity to deepen our relationships with policymakers, regulatory and supervisory authorities, insurance associations and multilateral institutions,” said Noordhoek. “By fostering robust dialogue, we aim to ensure that our research and recommendations reach the right stakeholders to achieve meaningful impact.”
Jad Ariss, managing director of the Geneva Association, expressed gratitude to the outgoing director of research, Kai-Uwe Schanz, for his contributions over the past five years. “I want to thank Kai-Uwe Schanz for his valuable contributions these past five years in establishing a solid research framework and team and producing outstanding research himself. I wish him all the best in the next phase of his career,” he stated.
Ariss also congratulated Pain and Noordhoek, emphasising the strategic importance of their new roles: “Darren’s appointment as director of research reflects our commitment to high-quality research that serves the insurance industry and society, while Dennis’ transition to director of external stakeholder engagement signals the ever-increasing importance of our relationships with key partners.”
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