HDI Global strengthens ESG Risk Solutions with senior hires

Corporate & Specialty insurer HDI Global has appointed three experienced executives to its ESG Risk Solutions division, effective immediately.

HDI Global said that these strategic hires will enable it to roll out its pioneering ESG product on an international scale and that the move propels it to the forefront as the first insurer to offer comprehensive, individual bespoke ESG third and first party coverages to clients and brokers worldwide.

Chris Strong (pictured right) has been appointed as HDI Global’s new head of ESG Risk Solutions. Based in Manchester, he will report to Mark Appleton, head of liability underwriting global. Thordis Jensen (pictured centre), based in Cologne, has been appointed as head of ESG Risk Solutions International. And Ludovic Ruiller (pictured left), based in Paris, will serve as head of ESG Solutions Europe. Both Jensen and Ruiller will report to Strong.

“Sustainability and ESG risks in insurance solutions are no longer a niche concern — they are a boardroom imperative for corporations,” says Dr Mukadder Erdönmez, member of the HDI Global SE Executive Board, responsible for third-party liability, cyber insurance and motor. “At HDI Global, we act as our clients’ preferred Partner in Transformation, evolving beyond protection to become a catalyst for change. I am therefore more than happy to welcome Thordis, Chris and Ludovic. They will build a strong leadership team, enabling us to globally roll out our market-leading Social and Governance extensions to our Environmental coverage.”

Strong has more than 20 years’ experience in environmental liability – both in underwriting and in broking. He joins from WTW, where he most recently held the position of Environmental Practice Leader. In his new role at HDI, Strong is responsible for the global management of the newly established line of business “ESG Risk Solutions” and oversees the worldwide portfolio. “I’m really excited to be joining this brand new HDI team and can’t wait to help grow our presence as a global leader in ESG risk solutions. We’ll be working on innovative ESG products alongside the traditional environmental risk policies our clients rely on,” said Strong.

Jensen assumes responsibility for all markets outside Europe brings her expertise from her previous role as senior broker at AON. The company said that she has a strong background in sustainable finance, with extensive experience from both insurance broking and underwriting.

Ruiller holds a central leadership role for all European markets and brings extensive experience in environmental liability underwriting from his previous position as head of environmental France at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance. In addition to his European function, Ludovic will also lead the growth of the French portfolio as lead underwriter ESG France.

In late 2024, HDI Global rolled out its environmental coverage on an international scale. By now including the social and governance extensions in its global product offering, it said that it is once again taking on a pioneering role in times of transformation.

Ruiller said: “The international expansion of our Environmental product, combined with the launch of our market-leading Social and Governance extensions, marks a major step forward for HDI Global, our clients, and broker partners. I am pleased to be part of this pioneering proposition.”

Jensen added: “I am thrilled to join HDI Global as a change-maker, leading efforts to help businesses shape a more sustainable future through ESG-driven underwriting and advisory strategies that align risk with responsibility. ESG is now at the heart of risk management, and HDI’s ESG coverage provides an approach that supports the industry substantially.”

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