About Colonnade Insurance in Central Europe

Colonnade Insurance S.A. (Colonnade) is a Luxembourg based non-life insurance company fully owned by Fairfax and established for a strategic expansion of the Fairfax insurance business in Central and Eastern Europe.

We are licensed to underwrite 17 of the 18 statutory classes of non-life Insurance (except Class 10 – Motor Vehicle Liability). Our licenses are extended to Freedom of Services for all EU member states. The company currently maintains and forecasts the maintenance of a strong solvency ratio, well above the required levels. 

We operate through branches in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, and a subsidiary in Ukraine with the help of a team of more than 450 experienced specialists. We offer products for consumer and corporate clients and have an A- financial strength rating for three years. Our registered capital is EUR 9 500 000.

Branches operate on a decentralized basis but having strong internal culture where market practice leaders share their expertise cross-branch. The empowered underwriting teams apply a focused underwriting strategy to their markets.

Executive management

  • Peter Csakvari - General Manager
  • John Ockenden - Chief Actuary and Chief Risk Officer
  • Andras Sellyei - Chief Financial Officer
  • Babette Chambre - Head of Compliance
  • Julien Immelé - Head of Internal Audit

Board of directors

  • Bijan Khosrowshahi - Chairman of the Board
  • Jean Cloutier - Board Member
  • Peter Csakvari - Board Member
  • Frederick Gabriel - Board Member
  • Leo de Waal - Board Member
  • Marnix Ernst Wielenga - Board Member 

Our values

Our guiding principles have been created to reflect our true nature. Our values therefore include:

  • Honesty and integrity are essential in all our relationships and will never be compromised.
  • We are results oriented – not political.
  • We are team players – no “egos”. A confrontational style is not appropriate. We value loyalty – to Fairfax and our colleagues.
  • We are hard working but not at the expense of our families.
  • We always look at opportunities but emphasize downside protection and look for ways to minimize loss of capital.
  • We are entrepreneurial. We encourage calculated risk taking. It is all right to fail but we should learn from our mistakes.
  • We will never bet the company on any project or acquisition.
  • We believe in having fun – at work!

Fairfax Financial Holdings

Fairfax Holding was founded in 1985 and is now a strong international company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Its portfolio consists of dozens of insurance and reinsurance companies offering life and non-life insurance, including business risk insurance.

Facts
No. of (Re-)Insurance Companies26
Number of Markets in ScopeMore than 100
GWP33 mld. USD
Total Value of Investments67 mld. USD
No. of Employees in (Re-)Insurance CompaniesMore than 15 000

More about Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited can be found here: www.fairfax.ca

Data as of 31.12.2023.

Our reinsurers

Colonnade Insurance is supported by leading global reinsurers with strongest financial security led by

  • Munich Re / AA-rating (S&P)
  • Swiss Re / AA-rating (S&P)
  • Scor / A+rating (S&P)
  • Hannover Re / AA- rating (S&P)
  • VIG Re A+rating (S&P)