The HBC Group is strengthening its governance structure and has recruited two internationally experienced industry experts to its Board. Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen, a renowned broker strategist, and Dr. Christoph Wetzel, an experienced insurance executive, will join the Group as Non-Executive Directors. Both appointments underscore HBC’s commitment to combining professional excellence from all sectors—brokers, underwriters, and insurers—in its strategic leadership.
Following successful expansion into the Nordic market and targeted reinforcement in the areas of occupational pension and company health insurance, the HBC Group is now focusing on additional momentum through external Board expertise.
Wir freuen uns sehr, mit Marguerite und Christoph zwei ausgewiesene Experten für unser Board gewonnen zu haben.
Carsten Kratz, Chairman HBC-Gruppe & Partner und Head of DACH bei Bridgepoint
“Their extensive experience in managing complex organizations and their deep understanding of the insurance industry’s transformation will help us drive the Group’s growth sustainably and with high quality. It is an important signal to our partners and clients that we are establishing the Group’s strategic guidance at such a high-caliber and international level,” adds Carsten Kratz.
Gert Schlossmacher, CEO of the HBC Group, emphasizes the operational value: “The solid expertise from the insurer side combined with international broker experience is exactly the complement we need for our next phase of development. Marguerite and Christoph bring perspectives that will consolidate our position as a specialized quality leader.”
Background on the New Board Members
Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen has an impressive career in the global insurance industry, most recently as Chairman of the Executive Board of Aon Holdings. She is an internationally sought-after expert in risk management and corporate governance. In addition to her role as representative of the Netherlands in the G20 Empower initiatives, she holds various supervisory board mandates, including at Siemens Netherlands.
“HBC has built an impressive platform in a short time. I look forward to contributing my experience from the international brokerage business to support the Group in its further scaling and networking within European markets,” says Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen.
Dr. Christoph Wetzel has extensive leadership experience in the insurance industry. He was, among other roles, a long-standing member of the Executive Board at Talanx/HDI and Basler Deutschland, where he was responsible for property/casualty business for private and corporate clients and served as COO. Furthermore, he is Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DARAG Deutschland. His focus is on operational excellence and the digital transformation of business models.
“The combination of specialized entrepreneurship and a strong group structure makes HBC an exciting player in the market. I look forward to accompanying this journey as a Board member and, in particular, to constructively helping shape the development of a broker platform and the dialogue with risk carriers,” comments Dr. Christoph Wetzel.