Assurant Announces Global Auto Leadership Succession Plan

Rhea-AI Summary

Assurant (NYSE: AIZ) announced the retirement of Martin Jenns, EVP and President of Global Automotive, at the end of this year after 15 years with the company. Jeff Strickland, currently SVP of Assurant Dealer Services & Strategic Accounts, will take over Jenns' role. Jenns has significantly contributed to Assurant's growth through acquisitions, such as American Financial & Automotive Services and Protecta, and the development of digital solutions like Assurant Vehicle Care. Strickland, with 25 years of industry experience, including roles at FCA, will start his new role at the beginning of 2025.

Positive

• Martin Jenns led significant acquisitions, including American Financial & Automotive Services and Protecta, expanding Assurant's global auto footprint.
• Jeff Strickland, with 25 years of industry experience, is set to lead Assurant’s Global Automotive business, ensuring continuity and growth.
• Under Jenns' leadership, Assurant developed innovative solutions like Assurant Vehicle Care, enhancing digital experiences for auto dealers and clients.

Negative

• The retirement of a key leader, Martin Jenns, may lead to transitional challenges for Assurant’s Global Automotive business.

Global Automotive President Martin Jenns to Retire at Year’s End

Jeff Strickland Named Successor for Global Automotive Business

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ), a leading global business services company that supports, protects, and connects major consumer purchases, announced today that Martin Jenns, EVP and president of Assurant Global Automotive, plans to retire at year’s end after 15 years with Assurant. Jeff Strickland, SVP, Assurant Dealer Services & Strategic Accounts, has been named to succeed Jenns at the time of his retirement.

“On behalf of our management committee, clients, and employees, I want to thank Martin for his service to Assurant, advancing our values and culture, and for his unwavering leadership of Global Automotive,” said Keith Demmings, president & CEO, Assurant. “Martin has been responsible for driving transformational change within our automotive business, organically and through value-creating acquisitions, while continuously delivering exceptional service to our clients and their customers.”

During his tenure at Assurant, Jenns has held an array of leadership roles within Assurant’s Global Lifestyle segment. Since 2022, Jenns has led the Global Automotive business, a market leader in auto protection, contributing to the expansion of its global client base including auto dealers, original equipment manufacturers, third-party administrators, commercial equipment and other affinity partners. Jenns supported the successful integration of the acquisitions of American Financial & Automotive Services and EPG Insurance, Inc., and he led Assurant’s acquisition of Protecta in New Zealand, which further enhanced the company’s global auto footprint. These accomplishments helped to scale Assurant’s dealer services and commercial equipment businesses. Jenns also was instrumental in the development of innovative solutions, such as Assurant Vehicle Care, a comprehensive suite of auto protection products, to deliver a more seamless and digital experience for auto dealers and their customers.

Strickland will begin leading Assurant’s Global Automotive business at the start of 2025.

“Jeff has proven himself an exceptional business leader and operator with decades of experience in the automotive industry across sales, marketing, and digital enablement,” said Demmings. “Early in his tenure at Assurant, he led the assimilation of field service teams across three acquisitions, building a one-culture environment in Global Automotive that aligns with Assurant’s long-term growth strategy and continues to advance our position as a market leader of vehicle service contracts, with 55 million protected vehicles.”

“His strategic skills and relationship-building experience position him as the ideal leader for this next phase of growth, bringing dynamic solutions and added value to our clients to expand our business across the world,” added Demmings.

Strickland is a 25-year industry executive who spent the first 20 years of his career with FCA (FIAT Chrysler Automobiles) working in both dealer-facing and corporate roles in markets across the country. During this time, he served as the head of U.S. Dealer Relations and Retail Strategies and led retail operations for multiple U.S. Business Centers, before joining Assurant.

Strickland began his tenure at Assurant in 2019 with the mandate to grow and support the company’s key automotive client relationships. His career at Assurant has been marked by his ability to lead and drive key account initiatives to realign the company’s regional areas, working to further integrate key acquisitions.

Demmings concluded, “I look forward to working with Martin and his team to ensure a successful transition and to seeing Jeff drive further success and growth for our global automotive business in the years to come.”

About Assurant 
Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) is a leading global business services company that supports, protects and connects major consumer purchases. A Fortune 500 company with a presence in 21 countries, Assurant supports the advancement of the connected world by partnering with the world’s leading brands to develop innovative solutions and to deliver an enhanced customer experience through mobile device solutions, extended service contracts, vehicle protection services, renters insurance, lender-placed insurance products and other specialty products.

Martin Jenns bio

Jeff Strickland bio

Learn more at assurant.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240709555218/en/

Media:

Stacie Sherer

Vice President, Corporate Communications

Phone: 917.420.0980

stacie.sherer@assurant.com

Investor Relations:

Rebekah Biondo

Deputy CFO

Phone: 786.374.7283

rebekah.biondo@assurant.com

Sean Moshier

Vice President, Investor Relations

Phone: 914.204.2253

sean.moshier@assurant.com

Matt Cafarchio

Director, Investor Relations

Phone: 484.356.4791

matt.cafarchio@assurant.com

Source: Assurant, Inc.

FAQ

Who will replace Martin Jenns as the head of Assurant's Global Automotive business?

Jeff Strickland, currently SVP of Assurant Dealer Services & Strategic Accounts, will replace Martin Jenns.

What significant acquisitions did Martin Jenns lead during his tenure at Assurant?

Martin Jenns led acquisitions including American Financial & Automotive Services and EPG Insurance, Inc., and Protecta.

When is Martin Jenns retiring from Assurant?

Martin Jenns is retiring at the end of this year.

What is Jeff Strickland’s background before joining Assurant?

Jeff Strickland spent 20 years at FCA (FIAT Chrysler Automobiles), where he held various dealer-facing and corporate roles.

What innovative solution did Assurant develop under Martin Jenns’ leadership?

Under Martin Jenns' leadership, Assurant developed Assurant Vehicle Care, a comprehensive suite of auto protection products.

When will Jeff Strickland begin his new role at Assurant?

Jeff Strickland will begin leading Assurant’s Global Automotive business at the start of 2025.