Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) has revealed a number of changes to its board, which will take effect from 1 July 2018.

Carsten Scheffel, who retires from his role as chief regions and markets officer next June, will be replaced by incumbent COO Sinéad Browne.

In her new board-level role, Browne will oversee the carrier's London regional unit, which includes the UK, Ireland, Nordics, Russia, Dubai and Australia. She will also be responsible for the Asia and South America regions.

Meanwhile, Bettina Dietsche, currently head of group operations at Allianz SE, will be joining AGCS in April 2018 to succeed Browne as COO, subject to regulatory and supervisory board approval.

During his career, Scheffel has held leadership roles in key parts of the global business in a career with Allianz spanning 40 years. He has also led both AGCS North America and London regional operations.

Scheffel originally joined Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company in Canada in 1978 and in the years since, held progressively more senior roles, including chief agent in Canada and president and CEO of AGCS Americas. He joined the AGCS board of management in 2015 and added Asia to his regional responsibilities in 2017.

In addition, AGCS announced that chief claims officer Alexander Mack will retire from his position at the end of June 2018 with Philipp Cremer taking on the non-board level role of global head of claims, reporting to AGCS CEO Chris Fischer Hirs.

Mack joined AGCS in 2007 as global head of long-tail claims, and was later appointed global head of claims across all lines in May 2013. Prior to that, he held a number of senior leadership roles at Gerling Insurance Company.

Cremer joined Allianz in 1996 as a corporate counsel. In 1999 he established a central liability claims department for the precursor to AGCS Germany. Since that time, he has held a number of roles at AGCS, including deputy CEO for AGCS Spain.

Commenting on the board changes, Fischer Hirs remarked: “With her extensive knowledge of AGCS, I know Sinéad will have an immediate impact in her new market-facing Board role. Bettina brings a wealth of experience from across Allianz Group and beyond, and we welcome her to AGCS.

On a final note, by having direct responsibility for Claims at CEO level, we will continue to keep Claims at the heart of what we do. Our customers demand a superior claims experience, and I’m looking forward to working together with Philipp, our claims team and customers to constantly improve all aspects of our claims services.”