Allianz Commercial Board appointments to drive market and trading focus

With effect from January 1, 2026, Allianz Commercial announces a new Board structure and appointments designed to boost growth in its target markets and to further drive market-facing activities for clients and brokers.

Jeremy Sharpe, currently Global Head of Distribution, joins the Board of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE (‘AGCS SE’ as the legal entity of Allianz with Board responsibility for Allianz Commercial) as Chief Distribution Officer. He will take global responsibility for client and broker management, sales, marketing and distribution strategy, and Allianz’s well-established Multinational insurance activities. This follows other recent appointments in the Allianz Distribution team including Elke Vagenende as Chief Client Officer (Global), Tom Leonard as Global Head of Broker Management, and Patrick Thiels as Chief Client Officer (EMEA).

Allianz Commercial’s activities in Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), the United Kingdom, and in Asia Pacific will be divided across three Board members, each taking responsibility as ‘President, Commercial’ for one group of markets. Christian Sandric, currently Regional Managing Director for Asia, joins the Board as President, Commercial, Asia Pacific, based in Singapore.

Presidents for the UK and for EMEA will be appointed in due course. In the interim, these markets will be overseen by Thomas Lillelund, Allianz Commercial CEO, and coordinated directly by Jeremy Sharpe and Thomas Sepp, Chief Claims Officer, with Jeremy Sharpe covering all market-facing activity. These new Board responsibilities will replace the previous role of Chief Regions Officer, International, which is currently held by Dr. Dirk Vogler who is moving to a new senior position in Allianz Group that will be confirmed later this year.

Shanil Williams continues to take Board responsibility for Allianz Commercial in the Americas, as President, Commercial, Americas.

Thomas Lillelund, CEO Allianz Commercial, comments: “These appointments reinforce our commitment to deliver ‘one face to market’ and the best possible service for customers in all markets. Board-level attention for each of these markets and for Distribution will ensure we are close and highly responsive to our customers, be they large multinationals or national businesses, brokers, or agents.“

All appointments are subject to the usual regulatory approvals, where relevant.