The mastermind of Helvetia's merger with Nationale Suisse and CEO is stepping down. His successor is the head of the business in Switzerland.
Stefan Loacker is stepping down after nine years at the helm of Helvetia, the Swiss insurance company. Loacker will give up his function at the St. Gallen-based company on August 31 because he wants to take up a new challenge, Helvetia said in a statement today.
Loacker's successor is Philipp Gmuer, member of the executive board and in charge of Helvetia in Switzerland.
Business Strategy «helvetia 20.20»
Gmuer, a 53-year-old lawyer, has 20 years of experience in the insurance business and has managed the Swiss unit of Helvetia since 2003. He was crucially involved in developing the business strategy called «helvetia 20.20». The company therefore believes he is the right man to guarantee continuity, according to Pierin Vincenz, the chairman of Helvetia and former manager of Raiffeisen.
Gmuer will take over at a company that has expanded strongly in its recent past: Loacker managed to boost premiums to 8 billion francs from 5 billion francs. The acquisition of Basel-based rival Nationale Suisse in 2014 made Helvetia Switzerland's No. 3 insurer.
