In a strategic leadership shift within the Talanx Group, Dr. Christian Hermelingmeier, current chief financial officer (CFO) of HDI Global SE, will transition to Hannover Re as CFO, effective April 1, 2025.
Dr. Hermelingmeier will be succeeded at HDI Global SE by Dr. Stefan Pasternak, who brings extensive experience from his role as CFO of Great Lakes Insurance SE, a Munich Re subsidiary specializing in complex risk management.
Dr. Pasternak has 25 years of international experience within the Munich Re Group, with 17 of them in leadership roles. He has held CFO positions at ERGO Grubu in Turkey and ERGO DAUM in South Korea and has worked in London and Milan.
Dr. Hermelingmeier, CFO at HDI Global SE since 2020, is chairman of the board of directors of HDI Reinsurance Ireland SE.
Torsten Leue, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of HDI Global SE and CEO of Talanx AG, praised Dr. Hermelingmeier’s accomplishments, noting his “impressive competence and leadership.” Leue expressed confidence in Dr. Pasternak as an “excellent fit” for the role, highlighting his expertise and leadership as aligned with HDI Global’s strategic direction.
Dr. Edgar Puls, Talanx AG Board Member responsible for the Corporate & Specialty Division and CEO of HDI Global SE, extended his gratitude to Dr. Hermelingmeier for his contributions, remarking on his commitment and collaborative spirit in advancing the company’s growth.
Puls also welcomed Dr. Pasternak, noting that his “professional expertise and alignment with HDI’s values of Together, Ownership, and Performance” would be instrumental in furthering the company’s success.
In his statement, Dr. Hermelingmeier expressed appreciation for the cooperation and trust he has experienced at HDI Global SE, stating that his time with the company was “very fulfilling” and that he looks forward to new challenges at Hannover Re.
The transition is contingent upon approval by Germany’s Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin).
From April 1, 2025, the members of the HDI Global Executive Board will be as follows:
- Dr Edgar Puls (CEO)
- Ralph Beutter (Board Member until May 31, 2025)
- Dr Mukadder Erdönmez (Third-party Liability, Cyber Insurance and Motor)
- Dr Dirk Höring (Property Insurance, Engineering Insurance, Marine Insurance, HDI Risk Consulting)
- David Hullin (Regions Europe, Americas, ASEAN, South Africa and Middle East)
- Dr Barbara Klimaszewski-Blettner (Claims Management, Region Germany)
- Dr Thomas Kuhnt (COO, IT and Accident & Health)
- Dr Stefan Pasternak (CFO)
- Dr Renate Strasser (Specialty Lines)
This shift signals HDI Global SE’s commitment to leveraging deep expertise and international experience as it continues to grow and adapt to an increasingly complex global insurance landscape.