Allianz Commercial Appoints Rich Soja Global Head of Marine
Allianz Commercial has announced a key appointment to its global Specialty leadership team with Rich Soja, becoming Global Head of Marine. The appointment takes effect immediately.
Allianz Commercial in a media release yesterday made available to this medium stated that Rich Soja, currently Head of Inland Marine/Regional Head of Marine North America, is appointed as Global Head of Marine reporting to Gordon Browne, Global Head of Specialty.
Soja, according to the statement, will continue to oversee his Regional North America and Inland Marine responsibilities until a successor is confirmed at a later date.
With over 35 years’ experience in Marine insurance, Rich Soja has been with Allianz Commercial in his current leadership role since 2017. Prior to joining Allianz Group, he was in increasingly senior Marine underwriting roles for Chubb, Aspen Insurance, and Tokio Marine.
“Soja’s predecessor, Ulrich Kadow, moved to a new role in Allianz Commercial in December 2023 as Global Head of Product Management and Underwriting Transformation.
“He and his team are focusing on harnessing the potential of technology and digitalization for the benefit of Allianz Commercial, enabling underwriters to assess risks and service clients and brokers as effectively as possible,” the statement added.
The statement quoted Gordon Browne, Global Head of Specialty at Allianz Commercial, while highlighting the importance of the appointment saying : “I am absolutely delighted to have Rich joining the leadership team for this key position. With his extensive knowledge of both our business and the Marine sector, he is perfectly placed to build on the excellent foundations that Ulrich Kadow established with the team and lead our Marine business in the future.”
Allianz Commercial has an extensive global Marine portfolio, covering Hull & Liability risks, Cargo, and (in North America) Inland Marine, and supporting customers from smaller businesses and private vessel owners up to the largest international blue-water fleets and logistics operators.
About Allianz Commercial
Allianz Commercial is the center of expertise and global line of Allianz Group for insuring mid-sized businesses, large enterprises and specialist risks. Among our customers are the world’s largest consumer brands, financial institutions and industry players, the global aviation and shipping industry as well as family-owned and medium enterprises which are the backbone of the economy.
We also cover unique risks such as offshore wind parks, infrastructure projects or Hollywood film productions. Powered by the employees, financial strength and network of the world’s #1 insurance brand, as ranked by Interbrand, we work together to help our customers prepare for what’s ahead: They trust us to provide a wide range of traditional and alternative risk transfer solutions, outstanding risk consulting and Multinational services, as well as seamless claims handling.
The trade name Allianz Commercial brings together the large corporate insurance business of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) and the commercial insurance business of national Allianz Property & Casualty entities serving mid-sized companies. We are present in over 200 countries and territories either through our own teams or the Allianz Group network and partners. In 2023, the integrated business of Allianz Commercial generated more than €18 billion gross premium globally.
