Submitted by H. Hutton on Tue, 31/03/2026 - 15:24
1 April 2026 - ClimateWise, the insurance industry initiative convened by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), today announced the appointment of Vivek Syal of Tokio Marine Kiln and Ian Branagan of RenaissanceRe as its new co-chairs.
The appointments mark a new chapter for the initiative as the insurance sector faces growing pressure to understand, measure and mitigate the systemic risks posed by climate change and nature degradation: challenges that are increasingly reverberating across global economies. With collaborative action and scalable innovation more critical than ever, ClimateWise's new leadership will drive efforts to amplify proven approaches and develop the solutions the industry urgently needs.
Vivek Syal said: “Climate change is reshaping risk across our industry and society. As co-chair of the ClimateWise Insurance Advisory Council, I’m committed to bringing our sector together to showcase our strengths, enhance resilience and better support those most exposed to climate impacts. Thanks to all for your support thus far - it’s a privilege to help drive this work forward and I’m motivated by the difference it can make to people’s lives, both today and in the future.”
Vivek is Chief Underwriting Officer and member of the Board of Directors at Tokio Marine Kiln (TMK), where his role has been central in developing and leading the organisation’s vision and strategic direction. Vivek brings to the co-chair role a forward-thinking perspective underpinned by technical expertise, strong industry relationships and extensive market experience.
Vivek’s role will be complemented by the appointment of Ian Branagan. Ian brings over 30 years of insurance leadership across innovation, risk management and catastrophe modelling. Now Senior Vice President, Innovation, at RenaissanceRe and formerly its Chief Risk Officer (2009–2023), Ian has led major climate-resilience collaborations and was central in establishing the Insurance Development Forum, co-chairing its Risk Modelling Steering Group from inception to 2023.
Ian Branagan said: “ClimateWise plays an important role in convening the insurance industry to respond to the increasing risks of climate change through innovative research, robust data collection and practical collaboration. I am proud to co-chair the ClimateWise Insurance Advisory Council and look forward to working alongside our membership to deepen risk understanding and inspire collective action in support of a more sustainable future.”
Outgoing Chair, Kevin O’Donnell, President and Chief Executive Officer at RenaissanceRe was appointed to the role in 2022. During his tenure, ClimateWise delivered a number of important achievements including:
- the development of a cross sector and systems-oriented research programme to shift industry focus from why we need to transition, to focus on how it can be achieved
- the launch of an enhanced set of disclosure Principles with an ambitious scope and higher benchmark standards, to help drive forward the transition within the sector
- supporting ClimateWise in retaining a leading profile, by placing climate risk and resilience at the forefront of insurance industry strategy and action.
Kevin was supported by Deputy Chair, John Scott, then Head of Sustainability Risk at Zurich.
Rachel Delhaise, Chief Sustainability Officer at Convex, has been appointed chair of the ClimateWise Managing Committee. She assumes the Chair role from Jeffrey Manson, Senior Vice President, Underwriting and Head of Global Public Sector Partnership at RenaissanceRe, who will continue to serve on the ClimateWise Managing Committee.
In addition, Jonathan Kassian, Head of Research at Flood Re, has assumed the role of deputy chair, succeeding Laura McAlpine, Head of UK Public Affairs at Zurich.
ClimateWise unites the global insurance industry in a member network that combines sustainable leadership with world leading research to address climate- and nature- related risks and challenges.
Established in 2007 by His Majesty King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) and facilitated by the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), ClimateWise is uniquely positioned to convene business, government and academic expertise to accelerate collective action.
ClimateWise Director Felicity Alvey said: “The appointment of Vivek Syal and Ian Branagan as ClimateWise Co-Chairs strengthens our leadership at a pivotal moment for the sector. We are delighted that they will be supported by Rachel Delhaise and Jonathan Kassian. Together we will endeavour to provide the insight and guidance the global insurance industry needs to raise its ambition, drive collaborative action, and respond to the challenges posed by a rapidly changing climate, on the path to a more climate resilient future.”
