Stefan Lippe 1955 – 2020

Swiss Re is deeply saddened by the news that Stefan Lippe, Group CEO from 2009 to 2012, passed away earlier this week. Our heartfelt condolences and thoughts go out to his family at this difficult time.

Stefan Lippe was appointed Group CEO of Swiss Re in Spring 2009. This was a particularly challenging time for the company. In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, he led Swiss Re out of the crisis to reestablish its capital strength and to consolidate trust with its clients around the globe. He accomplished this task with great dedication and success.

Remembering Stefan Lippe, Swiss Re Group CEO Christian Mumenthaler says: "He truly had a sixth sense for risk and was no doubt the best underwriter I ever met!"

Stefan Lippe had an astute sense for assessing risks and potential returns. His innovations to Swiss Re's underwriting processes made a huge difference. The underwriting (UW) steering values developed under his leadership enabled substantially better risk-taking.

Stefan Lippe joined Swiss Re through its subsidiary, Bavarian Re, in Munich in autumn 1983, following his graduation in mathematics and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Mannheim. In every function in which he subsequently served he brought to bear his astute sense for figures and a deep understanding of actuarial science, so crucial for the re/insurance business.

In 1986 he became head of Bavarian Re's underwriting department, non-proportional business. In 1988 he was appointed a deputy member of the Management Board. In 1991 he took on overall responsibility for the activities of the company in German-speaking countries and was also appointed as full member of the Management Board.

In 1993, at the age of 38 years, Stefan Lippe was appointed Chairman of the Executive Board of Bavarian Re. In 1995 he also joined the extended Executive Board of Swiss Re as head of the Bavarian Re Group. In 2001, when he became head of Swiss Re's Property & Casualty Business Unit, Stefan Lippe moved to Switzerland. At that time, he was also elected to the Executive Board of Swiss Re. In September 2008 he was appointed Chief Operating Officer and Deputy CEO. Stefan Lippe retired from Swiss Re in 2012.

Remembering Stefan Lippe, Swiss Re Chairman Walter B. Kielholz said: "Swiss Re is greatly indebted to Stefan Lippe for almost three decades of continued commitment and dedicated service to the company."