New leadership structure at the reinsurance broker will see Volker Wahl become executive chairman as Jan-Oliver Thofern prepares to retire at the start of 2027

Aon has appointed Phillip Esser as CEO of Reinsurance Solutions in Germany as part of a new leadership and governance structure, effective 1 October 2026.

Phillip Esser

Based in Hamburg, Esser (pictured) will lead the next phase of development for Aon’s German reinsurance business.

Aon cited his responsibility for client growth and coordination across the firm’s treaty, facultative, analytics and advisory capabilities.

Volker Wahl will become executive chairman of Aon Reinsurance Solutions in Germany.

Wahl brings 36 years of reinsurance experience, including almost 25 years at Aon, and will work with Esser and the German management team on client relationships, talent development and growth.

The changes form part of a planned succession ahead of Jan-Oliver Thofern’s retirement from Aon on 1 January 2027.

Thofern, who has spent more than 30 years with the firm, will remain with the business through the end of 2026 as advisor to Esser.

Aon is also establishing a new Board of Reinsurance for Germany.

The board will comprise Esser, Tomas Novotny, Alexander Partmann, Arno Achterberg, Andreas Froehlich, Stephan Schuetzeck and Wahl.

Tomas Novotny, chairman international and CEO of EMEA, Reinsurance Solutions at Aon, said: “This transition reflects the strength of our internal talent and demonstrates the depth of leadership we have built within our business.

“Phillip brings deep market expertise, strong client relationships and proven leadership capabilities which will help guide the business through its next phase. Meanwhile Volker will add valuable strategic oversight and senior market experience.”

He added: “With the new Board of Reinsurance for Germany, this leadership model gives us the depth, continuity and governance needed to support clients over the long term.”

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