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Finance | Insurance 2023: JEFF WRIGHT

Well into his second year as CEO of the German travel insurance and assistance company’s U.S. subsidiary, Wright carries with him a “love for extreme technical financial concepts” that led him to choose a career in the insurance industry. Wright earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and his MBA at the University of Maryland. He is a member of the Greater Richmond Partnership Regional Leadership Circle.

Allianz Partners USA, which has 900 of its 20,000 employees in Virginia, announced in June that it will offer travel coverage to guests of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection luxury cruise line. Last year, JetBlue Travel Products announced a multiyear partnership extension with Allianz Partners USA, reaffirming its status as JetBlue’s official travel insurance provider.

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Allianz Partners USA names new COO

Henrico County-based Allianz Partners USA has named Heather McIntyre as chief operations officer USA, the company announced Monday.

McIntyre joins Allianz after 20 years with Geico, where she served in multiple management roles, most recently as vice president of customer experience and customer relationship management. She also has experience in digital transformation, product management and operations. In her new role at Allianz, she will manage more than 1,400 employees who handle customer-facing duties, such as customer service, claims, direct sales and travel assistance.

The Charlottesville native has a bachelor’s in psychology and an MBA in marketing from the University of Tampa.

“Heather joins us at a time of explosive growth for the travel insurance industry, and we’re very fortunate to have the benefit of her skill and experience in managing our rapidly growing operations team,” Allianz Partners USA CEO Jeff Wright said in a statement. “The outstanding service that we provide to our valued customers is a sense of pride for our entire organization. We look forward to the innovative leadership that Heather will bring to our critical operations function.”

In September, Allianz Partners USA promoted Patrick Espeut to chief financial officer after former CFO Jeff Wright became CEO.

Allianz Partners Group, parent company of Allianz Partners USA, has 19,400 employees in 75 countries and handles 58 million cases each year. Allianz employs about 800 people in Henrico.

 

Allianz promotes Canadian CFO to North American CFO

Henrico County-based Allianz Partners USA has promoted Patrick Espeut to chief financial officer for the North America region, which includes the U.S. and Canada, the travel insurance and assistance company announced Tuesday.

Allianz’s former chief financial officer, Jeff Wright, was promoted to CEO earlier this year. Espeut had been chief financial officer of Allianz Partners’ business unit in Canada. Espeut joined Allianz in June 2020 and before that worked for Canadian insurer Echelon Insurance for 17 years, serving roles including chief financial officer and chief risk officer.

Espeut serves on the board of the Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals as treasurer and is president of the Canadian Insurance Accountants Association. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a bachelor’s degree in finance and is a chartered professional accountant of Canada. In his new role, he will be based in Henrico County.

“Patrick did a tremendous job in developing and implementing our financial business strategy in Canada and we’re excited to add him to our team in the U.S.,” Wright said. “Patrick joins us in the U.S. at an exciting time of tremendous growth for the travel insurance industry and we’re glad to have him aboard to help us navigate the challenges and opportunities that rapid growth provides.”