Swiss Re appoints new CUO, Patrick Raaflaub to retire

Raaflaub will retire by the end of September 2025.

Swiss Re has announced the appointment of Kera McDonald as Group Chief Underwriting Officer, effective 1 June. 

McDonald, currently Chief Underwriting Officer for Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, will join the group executive committee and lead underwriting strategy across all business units.  

McDonald, who has been with Swiss Re since 2006, has over 30 years of experience in the industry. 

In her new role, she will oversee underwriting excellence, guide capacity allocation, set mid-term underwriting goals, and approve large or complex transactions. 

Meanwhile, Group Chief Risk Officer Patrick Raaflaub will retire by the end of September 2025 after 25 years with the company. 

Raaflaub first joined Swiss Re in 1994 and later served as CEO of FINMA before returning in 2014 as Group Chief Risk Officer. 

The company has begun the search for his successor. Berger acknowledged Raaflaub’s leadership in risk management and his contributions to Swiss Re’s integrated risk approach.