The Geneva Association has announced a leadership transition after its spring 2026 board meeting on 3 June, naming Lard Friese, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Aegon, as its new Chair. Friese, who had served as Vice Chair since November 2024, succeeds Lee Yuan Siong, Group Chief Executive and President of AIA, who will continue to serve as a member of the board.
The change was confirmed ahead of the organisation’s 2026 General Assembly on 4 June, where the Association also expanded its board with the election of Christoph Jurecka, Chair of the Board of Management at Munich Re, and Tim Sweeney, Chairman, President and CEO of Liberty Mutual Insurance. Their appointments further strengthen the board’s international leadership representation across the insurance and reinsurance sectors.
Leadership transition amid a complex risk environment
In his remarks following the appointment, Friese expressed appreciation for Lee Yuan Siong’s contribution over the past two years and described it as a privilege to take on the role at a time when the industry faces rising uncertainty, fragmentation and increasingly interconnected risks. He emphasised that collective industry insight and evidence-based research are becoming ever more essential in helping insurers understand and respond to global resilience challenges.
Friese also welcomed the addition of Christoph Jurecka and Tim Sweeney to the board, noting that he looks forward to working with them, the full board, Managing Director Jad Ariss, and the Geneva Association team to further the organisation’s mission.
Recognition for outgoing chair and future direction
Jad Ariss praised Lee Yuan Siong for his vision and commitment, saying his leadership helped advance the Association’s belief in Insurance for a Better World. He highlighted that during Lee’s tenure, the Geneva Association deepened its presence in Asia, expanded its membership across the region and raised its profile internationally, strengthening both its reach and long-term influence.
Ariss also welcomed Friese’s appointment and the arrival of the two new board members, adding that the board will continue supporting the insurance industry through research, dialogue and leadership as firms navigate an increasingly demanding and complex global risk landscape.
The spring 2026 board meeting was held just before the Geneva Association’s annual two-day General Assembly in Madrid, Spain. The event brought together 61 insurance chief executives from around the world under the theme A World Under Strain: Resilience Amid Fragmentation.
