GFIA Announces Recaredo Arias as New President

Early this week the Global Federation of Insurance Associations (GFIA) announced that they had appointed Recaredo Arias, Director General of the Mexican Association of Insurance Companies, has now become the federation’s brand new president. His switch from Vice President to President was the result of the GFIA’s annual general assembly vote.Arias will be replacing Dirk Kempthorne, who has left after also leaving his President and Chief Executive positions at the American Council of Life Insurers. Arias’s previous Vice president role has been taken by Don Forgeron, President and CEO of the Insurance Bureau of Canada.However since the vote this has not been the only internal change. Rob Whelan, Executive Director and CEO of the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA), has stepped down as Membership Executive. Tim Grafton, Chief Executive of the Insurance Council of New Zealand, will replace Rob Whelan as Membership Executive of GFIA. Michaela Koller will remain the Director of Insurance Europe, as her mandate is not up for reappointment.Bachir Baddou, Moroccan Insurance Association General Manager, and Regional Representative for GFIA, has been renewed for the next two years. Toyonari Sasaki, Vice Chairman of the Life Insurance Association of Japan, and treasurer for GFIA, has also been renewed for another two years.After being appointed the new President of the GFIA, Recaredo Arias said thanks to the members of the annual assembly vote.“I am honoured to take over the role of President and serve the institution of insurance, at such a crucial time for the global insurance industry. I wish to give my heartfelt thanks to Dirk for his brilliant contribution as an advocate for our industry.I look forward to playing a pivotal role in ensuring that the voice of insurers continues to be heard at the highest levels of international debate.”