Athora Netherlands appoints Pauline Derkman as Chief Operating Officer

17 September 2026 | 07:55

Athora Netherlands N.V. (Athora Netherlands) announces today that it has appointed Pauline Derkman as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and member of the Executive Committee as of 1 November 2026.

Athora Netherlands has introduced the role of COO in the Executive Committee, bringing together the responsibility for commerce and operations to further strengthen the management of the full value chain and support the next phase of Horizon 2030.

Pauline Derkman brings extensive executive leadership experience within the Dutch insurance sector, including a strong track record in transformation, integration and stakeholder management. She started her career as an auditor and has held various executive roles in Life and Pensions for various insurers. She currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Scildon. Her appointment has been approved by the Dutch Central Bank and the Works Council of Athora Netherlands has rendered a positive advice.

Athora Netherlands also announces today that Annemieke Visser-Brons will step down as Chief Commercial Officer and member of the Executive Committee in October 2026.

Jan de Pooter, CEO Athora Netherlands: “I am pleased that Pauline will join us as COO. Her broad experience and expertise in the Life and Pensions insurance industry will be very valuable in taking our operational and commercial capabilities forward.

I would also like to thank Annemieke for the key role she played in the the commercial growth we have realised with Zwitserleven in the past four years. We showed strong growth in DC and annuities and captured the opportunities related to the change in pension regime with a leading market position in pension fund buy-outs. We are very thankful for her valuable contribution to the success of Athora Netherlands, and I wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”

Pauline Derkman: “I am excited to join Athora Netherlands and look forward to working with the teams to support Athora Netherlands in its ambition to be a leading pension and life insurance company in the Netherlands at this transformative point in time for the sector.”

Annemieke Visser-Brons: “It has been a pleasure to serve as a member of the Executive Committee, and I am proud of what we have achieved with Zwitserleven in the dynamic Dutch pension market. The past four years at Athora Netherlands have been a great journey and it was a privilege to work together with the teams to capture the commercial successes. I would like to sincerely and warmly thank all my colleagues, business partners and customers.”

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