Lloyd’s Brussels, which officially opened just last month, has a new chief executive – the second one since being granted licence approval by the National Bank of Belgium.
It was back in May that the world’s specialist insurance and reinsurance market appointed Vincent Vandendael as CEO of its Brexit subsidiary, on top of his existing remit as Lloyd’s of London chief commercial officer. Three months later, however, it was announced that Vandendael was leaving after nearly six years with the corporation to make the switch to Everest Insurance in 2019.
Now a new Brussels boss has been named effective February. Sonja Rottiers, who brings more than three decades of Belgian financial services industry experience, will also hold the position of Lloyd’s regional director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join Lloyd’s at this exciting time in its history,” said Rottiers, whose credentials include serving as chief finance and data officer as well as executive member of the board of directors at AXA Belgium.
“The European risk landscape is changing, and there is increased demand for the specialist risk solutions that Lloyd’s excels at. I am looking forward to the new opportunities that Lloyd’s Brussels will bring to the market, and to help grow our business in the continent.”
In November Lloyd’s chair Bruce Carnegie-Brown noted that they were already working with partners on 2019 policies and that the Brussels unit was already placing and processing European risks.
Commenting on Rottiers’s appointment, Lloyd’s chief executive John Neal stated: “Her wealth of experience across the financial services industry and in leading companies ensures she is well positioned to drive our business forward in Europe.
“Lloyd’s Brussels marks a major milestone for Lloyd’s. Now that it is already placing and processing European business, Sonja will focus on ensuring that it is also well positioned to grow as a customer-focused European insurance company.”
