HDI-Gerling Industrial Insurance is to bring its Singapore branch under the purview of Australian branch MD Stefan Feldmann, in an “organisational reform” to make the German insurer more competitive in the region.

From January 1 the two previously independent branches will be led by Mr Feldmann as Regional Head ASEAN and Australasia.

Sydney-based Mr Feldmann will also continue as Australian MD.

Singapore branch MD Nicholas Cheng will retain the position but will report to Mr Feldmann.

The restructure coincides with HDI-Gerling’s change of name to HDI Global next year.

“The impending name change and rebranding to HDI Global provides an ideal opportunity for a repositioning of the business in the ASEAN region,” Mr Feldmann said.

HDI-Gerling in Hong Kong will continue underwriting industrial insurance in Greater China, Mongolia and South Korea, and as a regional hub for servicing international programs in southeast Asia. HDI-Gerling’s operations in Japan are unaffected by the change.