Global financial services provider Allianz, has announced the appointment of a new Head of Corporate Development, Asia Pacific.
In her new role Julia Zheng Kuik will have lead responsibility for Allianz’s business development agenda in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and new partnerships.
With over 12 years of experience in M&A execution in the financial services sector, Kuik most recently served as Head of Business Development, Asia, for Insurance Australia Group (IAG), Allianz said in a media release.
Prior to that, she was an Executive Director at Goldman Sachs in New York and Hong Kong, where she focused on advising clients in the insurance, asset management, and financial technology sectors.
Acquisition Targets
Kuik will also oversee the team of internal and external resources focused on the end-to-end management of M&A-related activities, as well as broadening Allianz’s communications with the regional business and investment community.
Reporting into Regional CEO George Sartorel, Julia will also join the company’s Regional Executive Board, which is responsible for setting and executing Allianz’s growth strategy in Asia.
finews.asia reported earlier this year that Allianz CEO Oliver Baete met with QBE group Chief Executive John Neal before Christmas, and had informally offered a deal of $15 per share for the Australian company.
Australia’s largest insurer QBE has denied it is in formal merger talks, after a report emerged saying it could be the target of a $20 billion acquisition by Allianz.
