Allianz Commercial confirms a key appointment to its global Specialty leadership team taking effect immediately. 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 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.

Gordon Browne, Global Head of Specialty at Allianz Commercial, highlights the importance of the appointment: “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.