Helvetia is reorganizing distribution and taking early action in appointing a successor to the distribution head as of 2026

Effective 1 January 2025, Simon Weiner, Head Distribution Region Central, will take over the new role of Head Distribution Network Switzerland. From 2026, he will succeed Ralph Jeitziner, who will then retire, as Head Distribution and Member of Executive Management.

22.10.2024 | Media releases

Helvetia is reorganizing its distribution structure with effect from 1 January 2025, appointing experienced distribution specialist Simon Weiner (45) as Head Distribution Network Switzerland. This role groups together distribution channels with direct customer access in the domestic market of Switzerland, ensuring their optimal interaction for customers.

At the same time, the company is taking early action in naming Ralph Jeitziner's successor as Head Distribution. Ralph Jeitziner has been in charge of Distribution for 29 years, initially at Coop Leben, then at Nationale Suisse and ultimately at Helvetia. He has decided to retire on 30 April 2026. Simon Weiner will take over Ralph Jeitziner's role at the beginning of 2026 and thus also become a Member of Helvetia Switzerland's Executive Management.

Experienced distribution specialist
Simon Weiner, who has dual Swiss-Austrian nationality, is familiar with Helvetia and the insurance industry in Switzerland thanks to his many years of experience. As Head Distribution Region Central, for five years he has been responsible for, among other things, implementation of Distribution Strategy 2025 in Switzerland's highest-revenue region. He has also overseen important steps such as the distribution-related partial integration of MoneyPark, the leading product and service platform for independent mortgage and real estate advice.

Prior to this, Simon Weiner was CEO of Orion Rechtsschutz Versicherung AG from 2017 to 2019, and from 2009 to 2016 he held various roles in distribution at Zurich Financial Services (Zurich Switzerland). Simon Weiner has an International Executive MBA from the University of St. Gallen (HSG).

Martin Jara, CEO Helvetia Insurance Switzerland, is delighted with the new appointment: "Ralph Jeitziner has shaped Helvetia for many years and has played a key role in Helvetia's success thanks to the strength of the distribution organization. It was therefore even more important for us to act early in finding a long-term solution in terms of his successor. With Simon Weiner, we have a top expert taking over from within our own ranks. I wish him every success with the upcoming organizational merging of the Distribution Network next year, as well as in his future role as Head Distribution and Member of Executive Management Switzerland."

Contact information

Eric Zeller
Senior Communication Manager / Spokesperson
Phone: +41 58 280 50 33
media.relations@helvetia.ch

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About the Helvetia Group

Helvetia Group, with its headquarters in St. Gallen, has grown since 1858 to become a successful insurance group with over 13,800 employees and more than 7.2 million customers. It has been enabling its customers to seize opportunities and minimise risks for all that time – Helvetia is there for them when it matters. Helvetia is the best partner and is present everywhere that protection needs arise, with insurance, pension and investment solutions from a single source as well as simple products and processes. The insurance group knows the business, from mobile phone insurance and insurance cover for the Gotthard Base Tunnel to the long-term investment of customer assets. Helvetia develops and opens up new business models with enthusiasm and drives forward its own business in a powerful and future-oriented manner. It acts with foresight and responsibility in everything it does: for the benefit of its shareholders, customers and employees as well as its partners, society and the environment.
Helvetia is the leading all-lines insurer in Switzerland. With Helvetia Seguros and Caser, the Spain segment is the second pillar of the Group. With the GIAM (German, Italian and Austrian Markets) segment, the company has firmly established market positions in European countries for above-average growth. In the Specialty Markets segment, Helvetia offers tailored special insurance and reinsurance cover worldwide. With a business volume of CHF 11.3 billion, Helvetia generated underlying earnings of CHF 372.5 million and an IFRS net income of CHF 301.3 million in the 2023 financial year. The shares of Helvetia Holding AG are traded on SIX Swiss Exchange.

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