Descartes expands in Central Europe with senior promotion and Germany hire

Descartes Underwriting has expanded its footprint in Central Europe with a senior promotion and a new hire aimed at accelerating growth in Germany and Austria.

The corporate parametric (re)insurance specialist has broadened the remit of commercial director Juan Maria Marqués Domenech to include Central Europe alongside Iberia.

At the same time, it has appointed Felix Dalheimer as business developer for Germany and Austria.

Dalheimer joins from Chubb, where he served as an underwriter for German risks.

He previously held catastrophe analysis roles at R+V Re in Wiesbaden, focusing on natural catastrophe risk and financial impact modelling.

He will report to Marqués Domenech, who sits within the EMEA organisation led by Blanca Berruguete, head of EMEA distribution and client management.

The appointments are designed to deepen Descartes’ broker and client relationships in what it described as some of Europe’s most sophisticated insurance markets.

Marqués Domenech said: “I am thrilled to be joining forces with Felix to enhance Descartes’ presence in Germany and Austria and to support our partner brokers and clients.”

He added: “Felix brings a deep understanding of the local markets and a strong technical background that aligns with Descartes’ data-driven approach. Together with his genuine enthusiasm for our mission to mitigate the impacts of climate risks, these strengths position him perfectly to deliver valuable solutions across the region.”

Dalheimer said the move reflects growing demand for more advanced climate risk solutions.

“I am excited to take on this new challenge. Despite rapid advances in climate analytics, most underwriting and insurance products have struggled to keep up,” he said.

“Descartes is at the forefront of developing innovative structures grounded in a rigorous, scientific understanding of risk – they are streets ahead,” Dahleimer added.