• Move reflects the importance of European Regulation for all aspects of insurance in Ireland & its position as a hub for international insurance
• Kevin Thompson CEO of Insurance Ireland “There is a compelling strategic rationale to this development as it adds to our capabilities and extends our influence in Europe at a critical time. The Irish insurance industry needs to be close to European regulation and this move will allow us to punch above our weight”

Issued 2nd April 2018. Insurance Ireland has announced the opening of a new Brussels office and the hiring of Florian Wimber as its Head of European Affairs and International Insurance.

Kevin Thompson, CEO of Insurance Ireland stated, “Following our very successful merger, and in the context of Brexit, there is a compelling strategic rationale to this development as it adds to our capabilities and extends our influence in Europe at a critical time. The Irish insurance industry needs to be close to European regulation and this move will allow us to punch above our weight for all our members.” 

Kevin continued, “Given the importance of European regulation to all aspects of insurance in Ireland, establishing a permanent presence there has long been a strategic objective for Insurance Ireland. Our new Head of European Affairs and International Insurance has extensive experience of insurance in Brussels in particular around Solvency II. With major developments such as the Solvency II review, the ongoing review of the European Supervisory Authorities and the development of a Pan European Pensions Product (PEPP), the importance of the industry voice at every stage of the process is only growing. The office in Brussels will also allow Insurance Ireland to further develop our relationships with the European Commission, the European Parliament and EIOPA.”

Kevin concluded, “This move is part of an innovative strategy to develop the Irish insurance sector, its considerable contribution to the economy and its position as an international hub for insurance. The Irish cross border sector writes business into more than 110 countries with over 25 million customers. Total industry employment in Ireland is approximately 28,000 both directly and indirectly with one in four jobs in financial services being in insurance, so supporting and growing the sector internationally is vital to its future success.”

Ends.

Notes for Editors:

Insurance Ireland is the Voice of Insurance in Ireland and represents the Irish general insurance, health insurance, life assurance, reinsurance and captive management sectors. Insurance Ireland represents 130 companies providing insurance domestically in Ireland and internationally from Ireland. Insurance Ireland’s members pay out more than €13 billion in claims and benefits to Irish customers annually and contribute €2 billion in tax to the Irish exchequer.

Florian has joined Insurance Ireland as Head of European Affairs and International Insurance. Florian returns to Europe having spent 15 months advising the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Kingdom of Cambodia on insurance and social protection policy. He began his career at the German Insurance Association, GDV, where he held various positions both in Brussels and Berlin including, most recently, as Deputy Head of the European Office. During his time at GDV, Florian coordinated the association’s policies on Solvency II and financial services regulation at European level. Florian holds a Masters in Economics from the University of Cologne and Trinity College Dublin.

Media contact:

John Byrne

Head of Communications, Insurance Ireland

Tel: (+353) 01 644 7781 / 087 938 3852

Nuala Buttner

Q4 Public Relations

Tel: 01 475 1444 / 085 174 4275