Wilhelm Zeller served as the chairman of the executive board at Hannover Re for 13 years until his retirement in June 2009. Under Wilhelm's guidance, Hannover Re grew in standing from sixth to third largest reinsurer in the world. His strategy of efficient capital management, active cycle management and a focus on profitability – as well as the strategically important expansion of life reinsurance business – made Hannover Re into the world's second most profitable reinsurer.

Prior to joining Hannover Re, Wilhelm was a member of the Executive Board of Cologne Re from 1977 through 1995. In 1995, he also became a member of the Executive Council of General Re Corporation, Cologne Re's new principal shareholder. Earlier in his career, Wilhelm served as the Head of the Casualty Department and International Department Non-Life at Zurich Insurance Company.

Currently, he serves as an Independent Director on the Board of Axis Capital Holdings. He is also a Member of the Board of Coface Deutschland and Exigen Insurance Solutions.

Wilhelm has received numerous awards and recognitions from worldwide trade periodicals including Reinsurance Personality of the Year, Reinsurance Company of the Year (five times), the Innovation of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, Germany.