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Henry Topham managing director UK retail business, Allianz
Henry Topham managing director UK retail business, Allianz

Press release -

Allianz appoints new Managing Director for UK Retail business

Allianz Holdings has today announced the appointment of Henry Topham as the new managing director of its UK Retail business, following the recent news that Heather Smith will be leaving the business to take up a new opportunity. Henry will start on 1 October 2023 and report to Serge Raffard, managing director of Allianz Personal Lines.

Henry has been with Allianz since December 2016 and is currently the managing director of Britannia Rescue and Flow. In his time at the company, he has successfully led the development and execution of the company’s strategy for both its breakdown business and also digital-only insurance product, Flow. Prior to joining Allianz, Henry worked at a number of other companies including Aviva and Direct Line Group.

Commenting on his appointment, Serge Raffard, said: “Henry is a fantastic addition to my leadership team. Over the last few years, he has successfully managed two of our core business products and has made a significant contribution to the overall performance of our Retail business in the UK. With a career that spans over 30 years and strong business acumen, I know he’ll ensure our retail business continues to be a success in the UK with a particular focus on developing our main strengths as a motor and home insurer.

“I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank Heather for everything she has done for our business in the seven years she has been with the company. We wish her all the best for the future.”

Henry Topham added: “I’m delighted to be offered this opportunity to lead our Retail business. We have such a strong business here in the UK and as one of the leading motor and home insurers, supporting millions of customers, I want to ensure we can continue to go from strength to strength. I’m convinced that by maintaining a robust approach to our pricing and underwriting, while at the same time making sure we carry on putting customers at the heart of everything we do by delivering the best products and services, we will remain successful in what is quite possibly one of the most competitive insurance markets globally.”

Henry’s appointment is subject to regulatory approval.

ENDS

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About Allianz Holdings plc

Allianz Holdings plc is the non-regulated holding company which owns the principal insurance operations of Allianz SE in Great Britain including Allianz Insurance

About Allianz

The Allianz Group is one of the world's leading insurers and asset managers with more than 122 million* private and corporate customers in more than 70 countries. Allianz customers benefit from a broad range of personal and corporate insurance services, ranging from property, life and health insurance to assistance services to credit insurance and global business insurance. Allianz is one of the world’s largest investors, managing around 717 billion euros** on behalf of its insurance customers. Furthermore, our asset managers PIMCO and Allianz Global Investors manage about 1.7 trillion euros** of third-party assets. Thanks to our systematic integration of ecological and social criteria in our business processes and investment decisions, we are among the leaders in the insurance industry in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. In 2022, over 159,000 employees achieved total revenues of 152.7 billion euros and an operating profit of 14.2 billion euros for the group***.
*Including non-consolidated entities with Allianz customers.
**As of March 31, 2023
***As reported – not adjusted to reflect the application of IFRS 9 and IFRS 17.


Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This document includes forward-looking statements, such as prospects or expectations, that are based on management's current views and assumptions and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results, performance figures, or events may differ significantly from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Deviations may arise due to changes in factors including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the general economic and competitive situation in the Allianz Group's core business and core markets, (ii) the performance of financial markets (in particular market volatility, liquidity, and credit events), (iii) the frequency and severity of insured loss events, including those resulting from natural catastrophes, and the development of loss expenses, (iv) mortality and morbidity levels and trends, (v) persistency levels, (vi) particularly in the banking business, the extent of credit defaults, (vii) interest rate levels, (viii) currency exchange rates, most notably the EUR/USD exchange rate, (ix) changes in laws and regulations, including tax regulations, (x) the impact of acquisitions including and related integration issues and reorganization measures, and (xi) the general competitive conditions that, in each individual case, apply at a local, regional, national, and/or global level. Many of these changes can be exacerbated by terrorist activities.

No duty to update

The Allianz Group assumes no obligation to update any information or forward-looking statement contained herein, save for any information we are required to disclose by law.

Contacts

Paul Platt

Press contact Head of External Communications 07385 340347
Sian Baker

Sian Baker

Press contact External Communications Manager 07891 570995
Sara Robinson

Sara Robinson

Press contact External Communications Manager 07918 470463

David Gwyer

Press contact External Communications Manager 07384 533714