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Poland's top insurer PZU dismisses CEO after brief tenure

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on August 7, 2025

2 min read

· Last updated: January 22, 2026

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Poland's top insurer PZU dismisses CEO after brief tenure
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(Reuters) -Polish state-controlled insurer PZU on Thursday dismissed its Chief Executive Officer Andrzej Klesyk and appointed Tomasz Tarkowski, a member of its management board, as acting CEO.

PZU Appoints New Acting CEO Following Andrzej Klesyk's Dismissal

PZU's Management Transition and Future Plans

(Reuters) -Polish state-controlled insurer PZU on Thursday dismissed its Chief Executive Officer Andrzej Klesyk and appointed Tomasz Tarkowski, a member of its management board, as acting CEO.

Reasons for CEO Dismissal

Poland's Ministry of State Assets said that the decision was "prompted by a need to align management policy with ownership objectives and to carry out an ambitious growth strategy in a challenging environment for the insurance sector."

Future Merger Plans with Pekao

"The efficient execution of this strategy requires clear management decisions and effective dialogue with shareholders and employees," Poland's Ministry of State Assets said in an emailed statement.

Market Implications of Leadership Change

Klesyk was appointed as the company's CEO in March, following a period outside the country's largest insurer. He was the PZU's CEO from 2007 to 2015 but left when the previous nationalist government took power.

The current Polish government plans to merge PZU with Poland's second-biggest lender by assets Pekao in a deal that would create a financial group with a combined market value of more than 100 billion zlotys ($27.30 billion).

The terms of a share exchange may be finalized by the start of the second quarter of 2026, Pekao's Chief Executive Officer Ceary Stypulkowski said on Thursday.

The potential tie-up, which would rank as the biggest financial M&A transaction in Europe for at least 12 months according to LSEG data, is another high profile deal recently announced in Poland, where expectations for consolidation in the banking sector have grown.

($1 = 3.6658 zlotys)

(Reporting by Marta Maciag, additional reporting by Anna Koper and Barbara Erling; Editing by Matt Scuffham)

Key Takeaways

  • PZU dismissed CEO Andrzej Klesyk, appointing Tomasz Tarkowski as acting CEO.
  • The dismissal aligns with Poland's Ministry of State Assets' growth strategy.
  • PZU plans a merger with Pekao, creating a major financial group.
  • The merger could be the largest financial M&A in Europe within 12 months.
  • The share exchange terms may finalize by Q2 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was dismissed as CEO of PZU?
Andrzej Klesyk was dismissed as the CEO of PZU.
Who has been appointed as the acting CEO of PZU?
Tomasz Tarkowski, a member of PZU's management board, has been appointed as the acting CEO.
What prompted the dismissal of PZU's CEO?
The dismissal was prompted by a need to align management policy with ownership objectives and to implement an ambitious growth strategy.
What is the planned merger involving PZU?
The current Polish government plans to merge PZU with Pekao, Poland's second-biggest lender, creating a financial group with a combined market value of over 100 billion zlotys.
When might the terms of the share exchange be finalized?
The terms of the share exchange may be finalized by the start of the second quarter of 2026.

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