Swiss Re appoints UK & Ireland CEO

clock • 1 min read

Frank O'Neill has been appointed the CEO of Swiss Re UK & Ireland starting from 1 February 2016.

He has been the CEO of Swiss Re's Middle East and Africa business for the past three years and has led businesses in Asia, the US and Switzerland during an 18 year career at Swiss Re.

He replaces Russell Higginbotham, who was appointed head of life & health reinsurance products in October 2015.

O'Neill joined Swiss Re as a Life & Health underwriter in 1998 in London and after working in a strategy role in Zurich was appointed Head of L&H South-East Asia in 2006.

He then moved to become global client executive in the US in 2008, followed by his current role as CEO for Middle East & Africa in January 2013.

Jean-Jacques Henchoz, CEO Reinsurance EMEA at Swiss Re, said, "We are delighted that Frank will be leading our UK & Ireland business. It is a market that is undergoing tremendous change and new opportunities are emerging all the time for industry participants.

"As our largest European market we want the UK to continue to be led by a high-calibre leader to carry on the great work done over the last five years by Russell Higginbotham.

"Frank brings a wealth of diverse global experience and an excellent track-record in growing our business across both emerging and developed markets."

More on Insurer

Zurich pays out £392m across individual protection claims in 2025

Zurich pays out £392m across individual protection claims in 2025

97.4% of claims paid

Jaskeet Briah
clock 05 June 2026 • 2 min read
Aviva expands ChatGPT app to life insurance quotes

Aviva expands ChatGPT app to life insurance quotes

Application completed on Aviva’s website

Jaskeet Briah
clock 02 June 2026 • 1 min read
Scottish Widows pays out £219m in 2025

Scottish Widows pays out £219m in 2025

Nearly 11,000 claimants

Cameron Roberts
clock 26 May 2026 • 2 min read

Highlights

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

"It takes longer than ever to get underwriting terms"

John Brazier
clock 12 October 2023 • 5 min read
Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

According to latest ReMark report

John Brazier
clock 11 October 2023 • 2 min read
ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

Women within executive teams have grown to 32%

Jaskeet Briah
clock 10 October 2023 • 3 min read