Swiss Re Appoints Kera McDonald as Group Chief Underwriting Officer
Swiss Re, a leader in the reinsurance industry, has announced the appointment of Kera McDonald as the Group Chief Underwriting Officer and a member of the Group Executive Committee, effective June 1st, 2025, pending regulatory approval. In this new capacity, McDonald will oversee underwriting operations across all business divisions, strategically manage capacity allocation, and set medium-term underwriting goals while approving substantial or intricate transactions.
McDonald brings over 30 years of professional expertise to the role, having joined Swiss Re in 2006 and serving in various specialized and leadership positions. Since July 2019, she has been part of the Corporate Solutions Executive Committee and has held the position of Chief Underwriting Officer for this business unit since 2022.
Andreas Berger, the Group CEO of Swiss Re, remarked, “Underwriting is the essence of our operations, and re-establishing this function highlights our dedication to advancing technical excellence across all sectors. In her role as Chief Underwriting Officer for Corporate Solutions, Kera has significantly improved cost accuracy and enhanced portfolio management discipline and processes. I am delighted to welcome Kera to Swiss Re’s Group Executive Committee in her new capacity.”
Patrick Raaflaub to Retire as Group Chief Risk Officer
In a separate announcement, Patrick Raaflaub, currently the Group Chief Risk Officer at Swiss Re, has decided to retire by the end of September 2025 after a cumulative 25-year career with the company. Swiss Re has indicated that the process to appoint his successor is underway, with a formal announcement expected in the near future.
Raaflaub’s initial tenure at Swiss Re began in 1994, during which he held various leadership roles in Finance and Capital Management. In 2008, he left to lead the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA as CEO, before returning to Swiss Re in 2014 as Group Chief Risk Officer and a member of the Group Executive Committee.
Berger added, “Collaborating with Patrick on the Group Executive Committee has been an honor over the years. As the Group Chief Risk Officer, he has effectively driven an integrated approach to managing both current and emerging risks company-wide. I respect his decision to retire after a long and fulfilling career and appreciate his dedication to remain with the company until his successor is appointed. On behalf of the entire executive team, I extend my best wishes to him for the future.”
