Allianz names new chief agent for Canada

Allianz has named a new chief agent for its Global Corporate and Specialty business in Canada, effective Aug. 1, as the company aims to grow its gross written premiums in Canada to $340 million this year. 

Kevin Leong will take over the position from Thomas Paap, relocating from Singapore to Toronto. Paap will assume the position of Global Practice Leader, Heavy Industries and Manufacturing within the company’s property line of business.

Leong, CEO of AGCS AG’s Singapore branch, has 17 years of insurance experience. He began his career as an apprentice with Allianz in Hamburg, Germany, and then moved to various underwriting and management positions, the company noted.

Leong relocated to Singapore seven years ago as an engineering underwriting manager and subsequently led regional market management for Asia Pacific and the Middle East, before being appointed CEO at AGCS AG’s Singapore branch.

He has been instrumental in growing the company’s business in Asia Pacific over the past six years and was in charge of driving regional growth into new markets such as India and China, the company noted. Leong speaks fluent German, English, Cantonese and Russian.

Paap has more than 35 years of insurance experience with Allianz and an extensive property insurance background, having worked in various positions in Germany, the United States and Canada, the company said. He will continue to be based in Canada but will eventually relocate to Munich, Allianz said.

Under Paap, Allianz grew its business in Canada from US$261 million in gross written premiums in 2010 to US$304 million in GWP in 2012, Allianz noted.

Leong and Paap will work alongside each other for the month of August to ensure a smooth transition for clients and brokers in Canada, the company said.

The executive changescome as Allianz has set an overall plan to grow the company’s Canadian business, with a target of US$340 million in gross written premiums for 2013. 

The company’s business in Canada has expanded over recent years, and now includes eight lines of business, including aviation, engineering, energy, financial lines, liability, marine and property. It also added package and multiline in 2012, offering insurance to smaller and medium sized businesses.

Allianz also recently opened an office in Vancouver, giving the company a presence on both the east and west coasts of Canada.

“We would like to thank Thomas Paap for his outstanding work, leading the growth of AGCS in Canada and are very pleased to welcome a highly motivated new chief agent with Kevin Leong,”  Hugh Burgess, CEO of AGCS Americas commented in a statement.

“I am very confident that he will build on the solid foundation that Thomas has laid out and continue to grow our book in this key North American market.

Our ambitious growth target for 2013 is US$340 million in GWP for Canada and we are optimistic to be able to achieve it. At AGCS our business is a global one and we are excited to be able to learn from Kevin’s experiences in Asia.”