PartnerRe veteran Emmanuel Clarke has been appointed president of the reinsurance company.

Mr Clarke, who has worked for the firm for 18 years and was instrumental in building the global reinsurance business, will now be responsible for managing all PartnerRe operations.

David Zwiener, who was interim president and CEO, will remain as interim CEO until the acquisition of the firm by Italian investment firm Exor is completed early next year then step down.

PartnerRe chairman Jean-Paul Montupet said: “Emmanuel has stood out as an exceptional talent throughout his career at PartnerRe and I look forward to working with him.

“I would like to thank David Zwiener for agreeing to continue as interim CEO during this important transition phase.”

And Mr Montupet added: “I’m also very pleased with the spirit of trust and cooperation that has developed between Exor and the PartnerRe board and management team.”

Mr Clarke, 45, joined PartnerRe as an underwriter in 1997 and held several roles in the firm before being appointed CEO of PartnerRe Global.

He holds a Master’s degree in business administration from the University of Paris Dauphine and an MBA in international business from Baruch College, City University New York.

Mr Clarke said: “I am honoured to accept this position and to have the opportunity to lead PartnerRe’s operations, particularly at this important time in our history.

“I have a deep and ongoinig respect for all that makes PartnerRe the company it is, our intelligent and dedicated people and our unique culture, as well as our clients, many of whom have been with the company since the outset.

“These are some of the fundamentals of our strength as a company and I look forward to working with my executive management team to continue to provide exceptional value to our clients.”

Charles Goldie, who has worked for PartnerRe since 2002, will step up from deputy CEO of PartnerRe Global and will head all the global units except catastrophe.

North America CEO Ted Walker will take over responsibility for the catastrophe business unit.

And Marvin Pestoe will return to the company as interim CEO of the life and health business.

Mr Pestoe retired from the same role in 2014, but remained with PartnerRe in a consultantcy role.

Mr Clarke said: “I’m pleased to have such a strong and committed executive management team in place.

“They are all seasoned reinsurance professionals and leaders with the depth of experience to provide the stability and continuity we need to complete the January 1 renewals and to close the Exor transaction.

“I would like to congratulate Charlie on his new role and on behalf of the organisation, I extend a warm welcome to Marvin on his return to the PartnerRe.”