The board of directors of global reinsurer Swiss Re plans to nominate Jean-Jacques Henchoz, the former chief executive (CEO) of major reinsurer Hannover Re, as a new non-executive independent member of the board.
The appointment is expected to be for a one-year term. Meanwhile, Larry Zimpleman, a Swiss Re board member since 2018 and currently a member of the risk and audit committee, decided not to run for re-election.
Henchoz, who served as CEO of Hannover Re from 2019 to 2025, previously worked at Swiss Re from 1998 to 2018 and later served as CEO of EMEA Re, President of EMEA and a member of the Group Executive Committee.
Currently, he is Chairman of the Board of Directors of BMS Group in London, a member of the Board of Directors of Brit Group in London (until April 30, 2026), and serves on the Supervisory Board and Foundation Board of IMD Lausanne.
Jacques de Vaucleroy, Chairman of Swiss Re, said: “We are pleased to nominate Jean-Jacques Henchoz to our Board of Directors as he brings outstanding reinsurance expertise, strategic thinking and proven leadership capabilities.
“We would like to thank Larry Zimpleman for his outstanding dedication and valuable contributions over the past eight years and wish him all the best.”
In addition, the reinsurer has appointed Henock Teklu as group chief transformation officer and chief of staff, effective from April 1, 2026.
Teklu will serve as a member of the New York-based group’s executive committee. In his new role, Teklu will help coordinate and oversee Swiss Re’s enterprise-wide transformation agenda.
The reinsurer explained that he has deep expertise with two decades of leadership experience in investment banking, insurance and asset management. He joins Swiss Re from BlackRock Investment Management in New York.
In its 2025 results, the reinsurance giant reported that group net profit would rise 47% in 2025 to $4.8 billion.
