People Moves: MS Amlin Taps Nilsson From Talbot as Political Violence Underwriter; Allianz Commercial Promotes Simons as Global Head of MidCorp Underwriting

This edition of International People Moves details appointments at insurers MS Amlin and Allianz Commercial.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

MS Amlin Taps Nilsson From Talbot as Political Violence Underwriter

MS Amlin, the Lloyd’s re/insurer, has further expanded its credit and political risk (CPR) underwriting capabilities with the appointment of Gisela Nilsson as political violence senior underwriter.

Nilsson, who brings more than 15 years of specialist underwriting experience, joins from Talbot Underwriting, where she served as political violence class underwriter.

In this role, she managed a team of underwriters and implemented process improvements to enhance underwriting efficiency. Her leadership in both technical delivery and talent development was instrumental to the portfolio’s success.

Prior to Talbot, Nilsson held various underwriting roles at Hiscox London Market where she helped establish and develop the aviation portfolio. She later transferred to the terrorism & political violence team where she was instrumental in the expansion of digital underwriting.

Her appointment follows the recent strategic hire of Osama Elshiekh as senior underwriter for credit and political risk in the Middle East and North Africa region, underscoring MS Amlin’s ambition to build a market-leading CPR franchise with global reach.

“Gisela’s appointment marks another significant step in the growth of our crisis management capabilities and reflects our ambition to deliver market-leading services in this evolving space,” commented Jamie Cleary, head of Crisis Management at MS Amlin, in a statement.

“Her extensive experience across terrorism and political violence underwriting, particularly her track record managing complex portfolios at leading Lloyd’s syndicates, will be invaluable as we continue to support clients navigating today’s volatile geopolitical landscape,” Cleary added.

MS Amlin Underwriting Limited is part of the global top-10 insurance group MS&AD, with operations in the Lloyd’s of London, Middle East and Asia markets.

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Allianz Commercial Promotes Simons as Global Head of MidCorp Underwriting

Allianz Commercial announced that Nina Simons (38) will become the new global head of MidCorp Underwriting at Allianz Commercial, with effect from July 1, 2025. In this newly created role, she will report to Vanessa Maxwell, chief underwriting officer at Allianz Commercial.

As global head of MidCorp Underwriting, she will play an important part in strengthening connections between MidCorp and LargeCorp, supporting Allianz Commercial’s strategic direction.

Simons will shape and execute the global underwriting strategy, collaborating with stakeholders to drive growth and manage risks. She will oversee underwriting governance, support transformation initiatives, and ensure alignment across teams. The role also includes tracking global portfolios using data insights, focusing on emerging risks to guide the business forward, as well as identifying opportunities to further enhance our delivery for customers across the Allianz Commercial value chain.

Before her maternity leave, Simons held the position of strategic transformation leader at Allianz Commercial. In more than 15 years at Allianz, she held a wide range of significant roles across both Allianz Commercial and Allianz SE. At Allianz Commercial, she worked in business analysis and underwriting, including as business owner for underwriting Corporate & Specialty and global head of Business Analysis and System Transformation.

At Allianz SE, she focused on business development, serving as regional head of P&C Business Development for Central Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and as regional manager for Business Development.

“We are happy to have Nina back to take on this key strategic role in our leadership team. As we continue to drive forward the integrated Allianz Commercial approach, her expertise in underwriting and transformation will be crucial in strengthening our global strategy for MidCorp,” according to CUO Maxwell.

Topics Commercial Lines Underwriting Allianz Mississippi