Lifestyle Article - Swiss Re announce two senior appointments in Life & Health

Swiss Re today announces the appointment of Damien Bartlett as Head of Market Unit Life & Health UK and Ireland and Middle East and Africa. The appointment will take effect 1 November 2026. Damien replaces Tamas Bown, who has taken on the role of Swiss Re's Head of Market Unit Asia Pacific ex China.

Swiss Re's Life & Health Re Business Unit also announces the appointment of Karen Tan as Chief Underwriting Officer for L&H Re, effective 1 October 2026. Karen will continue to be based in Singapore and will relocate to Zurich in due course.

Damien Bartlett joins Swiss Re from SCOR, where he held a number of senior leadership roles, having started his career there in 2001. Most recently, he served as SCOR's Global Head In-Force Management, Head Strategy and COO for Life & Health. Prior to this, he was Regional CEO for EMEA & Canada and previously led SCOR's UK, Ireland, South Africa, Canada and Australia markets.

Karen Tan is currently the Chief Risk Officer of L&H Re. Karen has served in several leadership roles at Swiss Re, including Head Life & Health Products Asia and Chief Risk Officer for Asia Pacific. She was previously Chief Actuary of Zurich Life Insurance Company in Switzerland, and led Zurich Insurance Group's Global Life Risk Analysis department. She is a Fellow of the UK Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.