Allianz Trade has confirmed the upcoming appointment of Rodrigo Jimenez (pictured) as its Asia-Pacific regional chief executive, effective Oct. 1.
He will replace Paul Flanagan, who is stepping down after more than three decades with the credit insurer.
A transition period will begin on July 1, allowing for a phased leadership handover. The appointment remains contingent on regulatory clearance.
Jimenez joined the company in 2014 as CEO for Brazil and has since held a number of senior roles, most recently as regional commercial director for Northern Europe. In that position, he focused on developing commercial partnerships and aligning risk and sales strategies. His leadership has included work on digital initiatives aimed at modernising business operations.
He holds degrees in economics and business administration from the University of São Paulo and Fundação Dom Cabral, respectively.
In remarks shared by Allianz Trade, Jimenez acknowledged the region’s existing momentum and future growth potential, citing plans to establish operations in Vietnam as a key priority.
“It is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the Asia-Pacific region. I am inspired by the growth Asia Pacific has already achieved and the transformative journey ahead, with plans to extend our presence to Vietnam, the 13th market in the region,” he said.
He credited his predecessor for building the operational framework that underpins the company’s expansion in the region and said he plans to build on this foundation through continued emphasis on customer service and innovation.
“Paul has set the bar high, establishing a solid foundation for this expansion, based on an unwavering commitment to customer experience and operational excellence. I look forward to continuing this mission, reinforcing our leadership position and driving innovation that delivers lasting value to our clients and partners across the region. I would like to congratulate Paul on an exemplary 34-year career at Allianz Trade and wish him every happiness in his retirement,” Jimenez said.
Flanagan departs after a 34-year tenure, during which he held various leadership positions in Asia Pacific.
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The regional leadership shift follows a similar move in South Korea, where Wongi Kim assumed the role of country manager on April 1. He succeeded Andy Ryoo, who retired after more than 20 years with the insurer.
Kim joined Allianz Trade in 2015 as a business development manager and progressed through a series of commercial roles, most recently overseeing sales and account management. His earlier experience includes nearly a decade with Seoul Guarantee Insurance Company. He earned a degree in economics from Dongguk University.
The leadership changes come as the region faces continued pressure from a sustained rise in corporate insolvencies.
Allianz Trade’s Global Insolvency Report projects a 6% increase in global insolvency cases for 2025, followed by a 3% uptick in 2026. If accurate, this would mark five straight years of increasing business failures worldwide since 2022.
Projections suggest that insolvency trends will diverge across the region in 2025. While a decline in cases is expected in countries like Australia and Japan, others – such as Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong – are likely to continue seeing elevated failure rates due to persistent economic challenges and weak trade demand.
In China, insolvencies are forecast to rise by 7% next year and 10% in 2026, despite fiscal interventions estimated at RMB2.9 trillion. Allianz Trade attributed the outlook to ongoing difficulties in the construction industry and pressure on export-reliant companies.
