SEADRIF Insurance Company has announced the appointment of Benedikt Signer as Executive Director and Board Member.

Signer brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in Disaster Risk Finance, combined with deep insights from his extensive experience working with governments and development partners in Southeast Asia.

In his new role, Signer will oversee the organisation’s growth and progress towards strategic growth, performance, and financial health, while ensuring adherence to good governance practices.

The executive has been part of the SEADRIF Insurance Company team since March 2023, when he joined as an Advisor to the Board in the areas of strategy, organisational and product development, partner and country engagement, public-private partnership and operational management.

Dr. Yoshihiro Kawai, Board Chair of the SEADRIF Insurance Company, commented: “Benedikt exhibited exemplary performance at SEADRIF and has been instrumental in building the Company’s growth trajectory.

“I am delighted to welcome Benedikt as a core member of the leadership team. We look forward to continuing SEADRIF’s mission of strengthening the financial resilience of our member countries in the ASEAN region.”

Signer previously worked over a decade at The World Bank, with his latest role being with the Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance Program, housed in the Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation Global Practice.

He has also advised the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as a technical team leader and worked with select global universities and private sector organisations.

During his time at The World Bank, the executive supported more than 20 countries in actively managing potential losses from climate and disaster shocks.

In his role as Program Coordinator for Crisis and Disaster Risk Finance, he coordinated this work across Southeast Asia.

He also co-led the Global Risk Financing Facility (GRiF), ) and supported the design of the G7-V20 Global Shield against Climate Risks, among other global initiatives.

Additionally Signer co-led the establishment of the World Bank’s Financial Protection Academy and worked at the World Bank’s Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) on strategy, program development, and policy partnerships.

Currently he is also involved in several non-profit technology organisations around climate and sustainability.