Generali Switzerland Splits Life and Non-Life Units, Updates Leadership

Generali Switzerland has restructured its Insurance division by separating its Life and Non-Life operations as of July 1, 2025, to enhance focus and improve profitability. Ralph Schmid continues as Chief Insurance Officer for Life, dedicated solely to advancing the life insurance segment after contributing to foundational initiatives in the Non-Life sector. Yvan Berthou will join as Chief Insurance Officer for Non-Life from January 2026, bringing over 20 years of international experience in pricing, underwriting, and retail performance, notably from Zurich Insurance Group, to drive growth and profitability in the Non-Life division.\n\nThe company is also strengthening its Finance leadership with Eliana Sarli appointed as Chief Financial Officer starting March 2026, following a transition period as Chief of Staff Finance and Deputy CFO. Sarli brings extensive expertise in finance, risk management, actuarial functions, and capital management, including M&A and shareholder remuneration strategies. Incumbent CFO Alessio Sarti will transition to a new role within Generali Group headquarters, where he has previously led significant projects such as IFRS 9/17 implementations.\n\nOperational leadership changes include Michel Foong assuming the Chief Technology & Operations Officer role in March 2026. Foong has over two decades of experience managing IT transformations, cloud migrations, core system implementations, and AI projects at major firms like Swiss Re and UBS. He succeeds Andreas Schlögl, who is departing after 12 years of service, including oversight of transformation and technology divisions.\n\nCommunications leadership will also see a transition with Deborah Bass taking over as Head of Communications & Public Affairs from January 2026. Bass has a robust background in communications and marketing, with prior experience managing integration communications during the UBS-Credit Suisse merger and current responsibilities at UBS in communications and business management.\n\nGenerali Switzerland's CEO Rémi Vrignaud emphasized the strategic intent behind these changes to ensure future readiness, profitability, and competitiveness as a partner of choice in the Swiss insurance market. The new leadership appointments received board approval on December 3, 2025, pending confirmation by regulatory authorities including FINMA. This reorganization reflects Generali’s commitment to strengthening its market position through focused leadership in core insurance segments, finance, technology, and communications.