Alabaman returns home to run the South for Allianz

New role all about regional growth and understanding the things that differentiate the South from the national market

Alabaman returns home to run the South for Allianz

People

By Sam Boyer

Allianz’s new Southern chief has come home to the South to take up his new job.

Alabama bred and educated Rani Christie has just been named South Zone Executive for North America for Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS), the Allianz Group’s specialist corporate insurer.

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It’s a homecoming, of sorts.

“I’m from the South,” he explained. “I was raised in the South. I have a lot of colleagues in the South. So it’s great to be reacquainted with them and also build the organization from where it is today.”

Christie, 47, is the son of a military man. Though he moved around, he spent most of his formative years in Alabama, he said. He also attended the University of Alabama, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and investment management.

“This role transitioning into the South Zone Executive is really about focusing in on a more regional approach … recognizing the nuances in the South Zone that are different than, say, national,” he said.

“In the South we’re continuously thinking about Cat – we’ve got hurricanes, we’ve got wind – so it’s really about drilling down … and supporting the areas of our organization that are more prominent in the southern region. So my focus is getting a bit narrower, and I’m really excited about that.”

Previously, Christie’s focus at Allianz was broader. He joined AGCS in late 2015 as head of global partnerships for North America and was later appointed regional head of sales and client management for North America. Both roles had a national directive.

As South Zone Executive, Christie will lead and execute local business strategies, plans and initiatives, AGCS said in a statement about his promotion. He will have a key focus on people and products, communication, distribution, markets and customers across all lines of business in the region. In this new role, Christie will continue to serve as a key point of contact for global brokers and key clients as well as working more closely with brokers in the South Zone. 

The new Southern boss initially came to insurance via a successful career in trade credit.


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