People Moves: Definity’s Board Appoints Former Swiss Re Exec Schmid; SCOR Promotes Mumme-Young for Political & Credit Risk; Cathay Pacific’s Howell to Marsh Aviation

This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Definity Financial Corp., SCOR and Marsh.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Definity Appoints Former Swiss Re Exec Schmid to Board of Directors

Definity Financial Corp., the Waterloo, Ontario-based property/casualty insurer, announced the appointment of Edouard Schmid to its board of directors.

Schmid has had a long and established career in the insurance industry, having spent 30 years at Swiss Re. Schmid most recently served as Swiss Re’s group chief underwriting officer and a member of the group executive committee from 2017 to 2020, as well as chairman of the Swiss Re Institute from 2019 to 2020.

Prior to that, Schmid held a range of leadership roles at Swiss Re, including: head of Catastrophe Perils and Retrocession, chief underwriter Property and Specialty Asia, head of Property and Casualty Risk and Actuarial Management, chief risk officer Corporate Solutions, and head Property and Specialty Reinsurance.

Schmid holds a master’s degree in physics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. He is also a director of Britam Holdings and Britam General Insurance in Kenya, as well as New China Life Insurance Co. Ltd.

“Edouard brings significant additional industry and operational expertise to the board of Definity,” said John Bowey, board chair, Definity Financial Corp. “He will add to our board’s strategic leadership capabilities and his deep insurance knowledge will provide valuable insights as we move forward.”

Schmid was designated as a nominee for Definity’s board by Swiss Re Investments Holding Company Ltd., part of the Swiss Re Group, pursuant to its governance agreement with Definity. Swiss Re Investments Holding Company Ltd. holds approximately 9.9% percent of Definity’s common shares.

Definity, previously known as Economical Mutual Insurance Co., is the parent company of Economical Insurance, Family Insurance Solutions Inc, Petline Insurance Company and Sonnet Insurance Co.

***

SCOR Promotes Mumme-Young to Global Line Head of Political and Credit Risk

SCOR Specialty Insurance announced the appointment of Henry Mumme-Young as global line head of Political and Credit Risk, effective immediately.

Mumme-Young joined the Channel Syndicate in 2014 and was most recently senior underwriter and deputy in SCOR’s PCR department. He is a chartered insurer and has held previous roles in political and credit risk at Liberty International and Chubb. Mumme-Young replaces Kade Spears who joined SCOR’s PCR team in 2013 and was most recently global line head.

Stuart McMurdo, CEO of SCOR Specialty Insurance EMEA, commented: “We are delighted that Henry has accepted this new role. The PCR team is excited by the new opportunities ahead while the business itself remains a critical part of our Specialty Insurance strategic plans at SCOR. We thank Kade for his efforts in the development of the PCR portfolio so far and wish him all the best as he pursues new opportunities.”

***

Marsh Names Cathay Pacific’s Howell as Aviation Operational Risk Consulting Leader

Marsh, the insurance broker and risk adviser, announced the appointment of Rick Howell as Aviation Operational Risk Consulting leader, effective Jan. 2, 2022. Based in Hong Kong, Howell will report to Garrett Hanrahan, global head of Aviation & Space, Marsh Specialty.

In this role, Howell will advise Marsh Specialty’s aviation clients globally on best practice in operational risk management, safety audits, and governance, as well as in non-technical areas such as culture, people safety, and mental health.

Howell brings 43 years’ experience in the aviation industry to the business. He will join Marsh Specialty from Cathay Pacific Airways, where he is manager of Operational Safety and Risk Management; a role that encompasses all aspects of aviation safety, security, quality, business resilience, human factors, occupational health and safety, and compliance.

Prior to Cathay Pacific Airways, Howell held senior positions at the Hong Kong Government Flying Service and Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Air Force. He is a member of IATA’s Security Advisory Council and since 2005 has twice served as chair of IATA’s Safety Group. Howell entered the world of aviation through his 12-year service in the Royal Air Force.

Topics Aviation