This edition of International Leadership Updates covers notable new roles at Allianz Commercial and Canopius Group.
Allianz Commercial Strengthens Portfolio Solutions Leadership with Nguyen-Huu, Lascar Departure, and New Hire Head
Allianz Commercial has revealed key leadership changes within its Portfolio Solutions division, a segment focused on strategic collaborations with managing general agents (MGAs) and other delegated underwriting authority (DUA) partners.
Effective August 1, 2025, Doan Nguyen-Huu will become Global Head of Portfolio Solutions, succeeding Claudia Valencia Lascar, who will depart from Allianz on September 30.
Additionally, Daniel Head will join Allianz Commercial in the UK as Head of Delegated Authority and Portfolio Solutions for UK Global and International markets starting September 1.
The Portfolio Solutions team oversees the delegated authority segment, in which Allianz Commercial collaborates with third parties to distribute and service specialized insurance products under predefined guidelines.
Nguyen-Huu, currently serving as Head of Specialty for the Regional Unit London, will lead the global Portfolio Solutions function from London. She will report to Vanessa Maxwell, Chief Underwriting Officer at Allianz Commercial. Since joining Allianz in 2013, Nguyen-Huu has held a variety of roles across claims, underwriting, transformation, and leadership in London and Munich. Her most recent position began in January 2024.
Daniel Head comes to Allianz Commercial from RSA, where he was Head of Partnerships. With over 18 years of experience in underwriting and claims at RSA—most recently focusing on delegated authority business—he will also be based in London, reporting to Nguyen-Huu.
With these appointments, Allianz Commercial now has three global leaders aligned to customer segments: Elke Vagenende for clients, Tom Leonard for brokers, and Doan Nguyen-Huu for Portfolio Solutions, each supported by distribution teams at both the global and local levels.
“Portfolio Solutions is a vital and rapidly growing part of our business,” said Maxwell. “Our MGA partnerships enable us to broaden our reach and leverage our underwriting expertise. I’m pleased to see Doan take the lead in this area and to welcome Daniel as we expand further.”
Canopius Names Pinnington as Head of Marine & Energy Treaty, Adds Wright to Team
Canopius Group, a global specialty re/insurer, has promoted Ben Pinnington to Head of Marine & Energy Treaty, effective July 7, 2025. Additionally, Imogen Wright will join the team as Underwriter – Marine & Energy Treaty starting October 13, 2025.
Pinnington began his insurance career in 2018 as an underwriting assistant in the Political Risk division at AmTrust Syndicate 1861. After Canopius acquired the syndicate, he transitioned into treaty reinsurance and has since progressed to Marine & Energy Treaty underwriter in 2021.
Joining him on the team, Wright brings diverse experience across underwriting, broking, and operations. She currently serves as a Vice President at Guy Carpenter and previously worked in marine underwriting at Ascot Group and as a reinsurance broker at Miller Insurance Services LLP.
Canopius expressed appreciation to Claire Wallace for her contributions, as she prepares to leave the company and the Marine & Energy Treaty team.
