Aon is preparing for one of its most significant leadership changes in Germany in nearly two decades. Jan-Oliver Thofern (pictured), who has led the firm’s reinsurance operations in the country since 2008, will retire effective January 1, 2027, after 33 years with the company.
His exit is part of a wider leadership transition at the firm. Aon said a successor search is already underway, with the appointment to be announced in due course. Thofern will continue to perform his full duties until then.
The retirement comes as Aon’s reinsurance division has been reshaping its senior leadership. In July 2025, the firm restructured its global reinsurance operations, naming Alfonso Valera CEO of international and Tomas Novotny chairman of international.
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Novotny, who now oversees EMEA reinsurance and who quoted Thofern in the retirement announcement, has been central to that reorganisation.
Thofern was appointed to the management board of Aon Deutschland Holding GmbH in 2008 and became CEO of reinsurance for Germany. He later assumed additional responsibility as chairman of the country board, taking oversight of all Aon solution lines across the country.
Before joining Aon, Thofern began his career at Allianz Life Insurance Company. He was born in Stuttgart in 1964 and holds an MBA in Management and Finance from the University of Wales, with a specialisation in banking.
Tomas Novotny, chairman of international and CEO of EMEA for reinsurance at Aon, said Thofern had shaped the firm’s position in the German market.
“Under his leadership, the business has built strong client relationships, deep market expertise and an integrated team,” he said. “Today, Aon is very well positioned to support clients in Germany with innovative solutions and global capabilities.”
Thofern said the role had been a privilege: “It has been a privilege to lead Aon’s reinsurance business in Germany alongside a talented and highly motivated team, while helping to deliver strategic, cross-functional solutions for our clients, including those in the primary insurance market.”
Thofern’s departure coincides with changes further up the regional hierarchy. Aon named Kai-Frank Buechter as co-CEO of EMEA from June 1, 2026.
Buechter previously served as CEO of the DACH region, covering Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. He brings more than 26 years at Aon to the role. His appointment is part of one of the largest leadership reshuffles at the firm in recent years.
