New CEO to concentrate on insurance rather than banking

Belgian insurance group Fortis is to replace chief executive Karel De Boeck with its current insurance division boss Bart De Smet as the firm has ditched its banking business and wants to rebuild itself as an insurer, the FT reports.

Peer van Harten, the head of the international insurance arm, is also leaving at the end of the month. Fortis said it would not immediately replace him.

De Boeck is being replaced officially because his background is in banking.

Unofficially, Fortis executives say that he had lost the support of the board, and that the working relationship between Mr De Boeck and Jozef De Mey, the company’s chairman, had deteriorated, the FT says.

Bart De Smet, 51, who currently leads the Belgian insurance operation, is to take over as chief executive from 1 July.

The 2025 Insurance Times Awards took place on the evening of Wednesday 3rd December in the iconic Great Room of London’s Grosvenor House.

Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
Many congratulations to all the worthy winners and as always, huge thanks to our sponsors for their support and our judges for their expertise.

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