Nihoul, who is already a FERMA Board member and previously served as the Chair of its Captives Committee, will be the first senior figure from the insurance and risk management sector to take on the CEO role. This appointment reinforces FERMA’s commitment to strategic leadership rooted in industry experience. Bringing nearly 30 years of industry experience to the position, Nihoul was most recently General Manager and Group Head of Insurance at ArcelorMittal, a company he joined in 2014. His extensive background in risk and insurance includes senior positions in underwriting, risk finance, ERM, and reinsurance. As CEO, Nihoul is responsible for enhancing FERMA’s advocacy capacity, raising the profile of the risk management profession at the European and global levels, and facilitating increased engagement with its member associations. FERMA President Charlotte Hedemark comments that Nihoul’s appointment demonstrates FERMA’s commitment to being led by experience. She adds that his market insight, leadership acumen, and deep understanding of the risk management community’s needs will be "integral to maintaining the ongoing evolution of FERMA as we continue to advance our mission to represent the interests of European risk managers at all levels". Nihoul acknowledges the “honour to be appointed CEO of FERMA at such a pivotal moment”. He states his goal is to build on the significant progress FERMA has achieved over the past decade "with renewed ambition and clarity". "We will raise our sights and look to unleash the full potential of FERMA. Collaboration will be key," Nihoul says, noting a focus on "establishing a more coordinated, inclusive approach that brings our member associations closer together around a shared vision". Incoming FERMA President Philippe Cotelle is "excited to begin this new chapter alongside Laurent". He notes that by fostering strong alignment between the strategic direction and executive focus, the organisation will concentrate on "uniting and energising the risk management community, expanding our reach, and ensuring FERMA remains a driving force for cooperation, innovation, and influence across Europe and internationally".
