Allianz Commercial, part of global insurer Allianz, has announced a new Board structure and appointments aimed at accelerating growth in its target markets and further strengthening market-facing activities for clients and brokers, effective 1st January 2026.
In this role, he will assume global responsibility for client and broker management, sales, marketing, distribution strategy, and Allianz’s established multinational insurance activities.
Sharpe brings 30 years of industry experience across insurer distribution, broking, bancassurance, and risk management. Before joining Allianz, he spent seven years at AIG, most recently as Head of Broker Engagement – International, and 13 years at HSBC.
His appointment follows other recent additions to the Allianz Distribution team, including Elke Vagenende as Chief Client Officer (Global), Tom Leonard as Global Head of Broker Management, and Patrick Thiels as Chief Client Officer (EMEA).
Allianz Commercial’s operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), the United Kingdom, and Asia Pacific will be divided among three Board members, each taking responsibility as ‘President, Commercial’ for their respective regions.
Christian Sandric, currently Regional Managing Director for Asia, joins the Board as President, Commercial, Asia Pacific, based in Singapore.
Sandric has spent the past two years with Allianz and previously worked at AIG for over 20 years in senior leadership roles, most recently as President and CEO of AIG Singapore.
Allianz Commercial noted that Presidents for the UK and EMEA will be appointed in due course. In the interim, these markets will be overseen by Thomas Lillelund, Allianz Commercial CEO, and coordinated by Sharpe and Thomas Sepp, Chief Claims Officer, with Sharpe covering market-facing activities.
The new Board responsibilities will replace the role of Chief Regions Officer, International, currently held by Dr. Dirk Vogler, who will move to a new senior position within Allianz Group to be announced later this year.
Shanil Williams will continue to hold Board responsibility for Allianz Commercial in the Americas as President, Commercial, Americas.
Lillelund commented, “These appointments reinforce our commitment to deliver ‘one face to market’ and the best possible service for customers in all markets. Board-level attention for each of these markets and for Distribution will ensure we are close and highly responsive to our customers, be they large multinationals or national businesses, brokers, or managing general agents.”
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