HDI Global SE has announced the appointment of Dr. Renate Strasser to its executive board, effective April 1, 2025. Dr. Strasser will assume responsibility for the specialty lines division, succeeding Ralph Beutter, who is set to retire on May 31, 2025. Even after his official departure, Beutter will continue to support HDI Global SE in an advisory capacity and through committee roles.
Dr. Strasser brings a wealth of experience in corporate and specialty insurance to her new role. Her career began in 2004 in the aviation sector at Munich Re, where she became the global head of aviation facultative in 2007. In 2016, she advanced to Zurich as CEO and managing director for a Swiss subsidiary of Munich Re. By 2020, Dr. Strasser had joined the board of management at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty, serving as chief underwriting officer for specialty. Most recently, she took on the role of chief technical officer at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty and Allianz Commercial in 2023.
During the April-to-May 2025 transition period, Beutter and Dr. Strasser will work closely to ensure a seamless transfer of responsibilities.
Beutter retires with a distinguished career in specialty lines, having led the Talanx Group’s specialty business segment through substantial growth, with premium volumes rising from €800 million to approximately €3 billion under his leadership. Appointed to the executive board of HDI Global SE in 2022 as chief underwriting officer for specialty lines, he played a crucial role in integrating the company’s specialty and corporate operations.
Torsten Leue, CEO of Talanx AG and chairman of HDI Global SE’s supervisory board, and Dr. Edgar Puls, CEO of HDI Global SE and the Talanx AG board member overseeing Corporate & Specialty business, both commended Beutter’s impactful career and long-standing contributions to the company.
Effective June 1, 2025, the composition of HDI Global’s executive board will be as follows:
- Dr Edgar Puls (CEO)
- Dr Mukadder Erdönmez (third-party liability, cyber insurance, and motor)
- Dr Christian Hermelingmeier (CFO)
- Dr Dirk Höring (property insurance, engineering insurance, marine insurance, HDI Risk Consulting)
- David Hullin (Regions Europe, Americas, ASEAN, South Africa, and Middle East)
- Dr Barbara Klimaszewski-Blettner (claims management / Region Germany)
- Dr Thomas Kuhnt (COO, IT, and accident & health)
- Dr Renate Strasser (specialty lines)
As with all appointments to the executive board, Strasser’s role is subject to approval by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
