Peak Re poaches Swiss Re exec to build business in German-speaking Europe

Peak Reinsurance Company has hired a senior vice president in Europe as it looks to expand its presence in the region.

Karlheinz Render will join Peak Re on August 1, 2021 to build on the foundations established by Peak Re in the property and casualty (P&C) markets of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. He will be responsible for developing and maintaining client relationships in the region and succeeds Emmanuel Thommen, who held the role previously and is retiring.

Render was formerly at Swiss Re where he served in various client management and underwriting roles over nearly three decades, most recently leading Swiss Re’s large clients division in Germany, with a special focus on inforce and new business development for large German P&C clients. He also served on the leadership team for the Northern, Central and Eastern European P&C markets, and has held various responsibilities, including client management and underwriting in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, and Latin America.

In his new role Render will report to Matteo Cussigh, chief executive officer of Peak Re in Europe, and will be based in Zurich.