Allianz Commercial and Canopius Group have announced a series of important leadership changes that will shape their businesses in the coming months.
Starting in August 2025, Doan Nguyen-Huu will take the helm as the global head of Portfolio Solutions at Allianz Commercial. She will succeed Claudia Valencia Lascar, who plans to leave the company at the end of September. Nguyen-Huu brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been with Allianz since 2013. She has worked in various claims and underwriting roles across London and Munich and currently leads the Specialty Regional Unit in London. In her new position, she will focus on strengthening alliances with managing general agents (MGAs) and other partners who handle specialist insurance products for Allianz.
Joining Nguyen-Huu is Daniel Head, who will start as head of Delegated Authority and Portfolio Solutions for the UK Global and International markets from September 1. Head comes from RSA, where he spent over 18 years in underwriting and claims, with a decade dedicated to managing delegated authority business. Based in London, he will report directly to Nguyen-Huu.
Allianz now has three global leaders focused on key areas: Elke Vagenende for clients, Tom Leonard for brokers, and Nguyen-Huu for Portfolio Solutions. Vanessa Maxwell, Allianz Commercial’s chief underwriting officer, stressed the importance of the Portfolio Solutions segment in helping Allianz reach more customers through strong partnerships.
Meanwhile, Canopius Group has promoted Ben Pinnington to head of Marine & Energy Treaty, effective July 7, 2025. Pinnington began his career in 2018 as an underwriting assistant in the Political Risk team at AmTrust Syndicate 1861. After Canopius acquired this syndicate, he moved into treaty reinsurance and steadily worked his way up to an underwriter role for Marine & Energy Treaty in 2021. His promotion marks another step forward in his growing career.
Canopius also added Imogen Wright to the Marine & Energy Treaty team starting October 13, 2025. Wright brings a broad range of experience from her time at Guy Carpenter, where she was a vice president, and earlier roles at Ascot Group and Miller Insurance Services LLP. Her background in broking, underwriting, and operations is expected to strengthen the team’s capabilities.
The group also took a moment to thank Claire Wallace for her contributions to their Marine & Energy Treaty portfolio, as she prepares to leave the company.
These moves underline both Allianz and Canopius’s commitment to building strong teams and expanding their reach in specialized insurance markets. The new leaders bring experience and fresh energy as both companies look ahead to growing their business through trusted partnerships.