- Darren Smart joins Allianz Commercial from Liberty Specialty Markets.
- New set-up in two stand-alone lines of business – Natural Resources and Construction.
- Max Benz who previously oversaw the combined Energy & Construction portfolio is moving to a new leadership role in Allianz Risk Consulting
Darren Smart
Allianz Commercial confirms a key appointment to its global Specialty leadership team. In March 2024, Darren Smart will join Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE as Allianz Commercial’s Global Head of Construction, reporting to Global Head of Specialty, Gordon Browne. Smart will be based in London, and joins from Liberty Specialty Markets, where he is currently Global Construction Practice Leader. His appointment follows on from the announcement earlier this year, establishing Natural Resources (led by Anthony Vassallo) and Construction as two separate Lines of Business (LoB) going forward. Until Smart joins next year, Gordon Browne will continue to oversee this part of the business, working together with the existing leadership team.
Max Benz who was previously Global LoB Head for the combined Energy & Construction business moves to Allianz Risk Consulting (ARC). In a new senior role within the Advisory Services team, he will focus on how to deliver optimum value and benefit to both underwriting teams and to clients.
Darren is returning to Allianz where he started his underwriting career as an underwriter at Allianz Cornhill (Allianz UK), before working at Trans Re as Assistant Vice President. He joined Liberty Specialty Markets in 2007 as Construction Regional Product Line Manager for EMEA, before later taking on his current Global Construction Practice Leader role in 2016.
Gordon Browne, Global Head of Specialty, notes: “I am delighted to welcome Darren back to Allianz in this global role, leading Construction for Allianz Commercial. His deep expertise and knowledge of the industry, combined with a global focus and approach will bring significant value and enable us to drive forward our growth ambitions for this important part of our business.”
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About Allianz Commercial
Allianz Commercial is the center of expertise and global line of Allianz Group for insuring mid-sized businesses, large enterprises and specialist risks. Among our customers are the world’s largest consumer brands, financial institutions and industry players, the global aviation and shipping industry as well as family-owned and medium enterprises which are the backbone of the economy. We also cover unique risks such as offshore wind parks, infrastructure projects or Hollywood film productions.
Powered by the employees, financial strength, and network of the world’s #1 insurance brand Allianz, we work together to help our customers prepare for what’s ahead: They trust on us for providing a wide range of traditional and alternative risk transfer solutions, outstanding risk consulting and multinational services as well as seamless claims handling.
Allianz Commercial brings together the large corporate insurance business of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) and the commercial insurance business of national Allianz Property & Casualty entities serving mid-sized companies. We are present in over 200 countries and territories either though our own teams or the Allianz Group network and partners. In 2022, the integrated business of Allianz Commercial generated more than €19 billion gross premium globally.
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