Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Personal Information
Publications
Selected Presentations
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Montserrat Alfonso

Wetswil am Albis

Summary

Dynamic Senior Engineering Underwriter at Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd, expert in risk assessment and relationship management. Successfully led a team to underwrite complex construction risks, enhancing customer service and compliance. Proven track record in ensuring optimal outcomes for clients and the company.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Engineering Underwriter

Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd
Zürich
07.2012 - Current
  • Lead of a four-person underwriting team for French Be-lux markets (since 2020).
  • Underwrite construction and engineering risks :
  • Reviewed and amended existing contracts in alignment with underwriting philosophy.
  • Cultivated relationships with intermediaries and customers to secure new and renewal business.
  • Delivered presentations for business renewals, mid-term adjustments, and relevant literature.
  • Ensured compliance with company procedures and maintained adherence to underwriting standards.
  • Maintained accurate records of all transactions handled by the team.
  • Participated in regular training sessions regarding updates in relevant laws or regulations.
  • Prepared reports summarizing analysis results for management review.
  • Consulted with legal counsel when necessary to resolve complex issues or disputes.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, regulations and compliance requirements.
  • Provided guidance on underwriting procedures to junior staff members.
  • Negotiated terms with borrowers in order to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.
  • Interpreted underwriting guidelines and assessed risks according to company policies.
  • Worked alongside internal department to cross-sell company's offerings.
  • Underwrote renewals by reviewing premium history, claims history and company financial condition to determine action.
  • Evaluated applicant financial status, credit, and property evaluation to determine feasibility of granting loans.

Determined appropriate loan structure based on customer needs, company policy and regulatory guidelines.
Assessed potential risks associated with each transaction prior to approving loans.

R&D Project and Team Lead

BASF Construction Chemicals Europe Ltd
Zürich
09.2001 - 05.2012
  • Led a team of four, including two PhDs and two lab technicians, to drive innovation.
  • Supported the manager in developing plans for future projects, initiatives and objectives.
  • Trained new staff in relevant processes and procedures.
  • Managed product lifecycle from development to production of concrete additives.
  • Production and application support to marketing and sales teams.
  • Developed and validated testing methods, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
  • Oversaw patent applications to safeguard innovative formulations and processes.
  • Prepared and delivered presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
  • Collaborated with academic institutions and BASF research group on joint projects.
  • Oversaw cost centers and budget management for product development initiatives.

Education

Post-Doc - New Tungsten Hydride Complexes

Chemistry Institute, University of Zurich
Zurich
08.2001

PhD - Supramolecular Coordination chemistry

Institute of Chemistry, University of Neuchâtel
07.1999

Master of Science - Chemistry

University of Barcelona
Barcelona
06-1995

Skills

  • Risk assessment
  • Contract review
  • Customer service
  • Relationship management
  • Team leadership
  • Presentation skills
  • Data analysis
  • Project management
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Financial analysis

Personal Information

  • Date of Birth: 02/08/72
  • Nationality: Spanish, Swiss
  • Marital Status: Married, 2 children (2003, 2005)

Publications

  • X-ray powder structure of a new two-dimensional nickel(II) coordination polymer with pyrazine-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid., Alfonso, M, Neels, A, Stoeckli-Evans, H, Acta Crystallogr., C57, 2001, 1144-1146
  • Hydrogen bonding in the inner-salt zwitterion and in two different charged forms of 5,6-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid., Alfonso, M, Wang, Y, Stoeckli-Evans, H, Acta Crystallogr., C57, 2001, 1184-1188
  • 1,6,7,12,13,18-Hexaazatrinaphthylene tetrachloroform solvate., Alfonso, M, Stoeckli-Evans, H, Acta Crystallographica, E57, 2001, 242-244
  • Utilization of redox and acid/base chemistry for the deprotection of a Mn(dmpe)(2)(C CSiMe3)(2) complex., Fernandez, F.J, Alfonso, M, Schmalle, H.W, Berke, H, Organometallics, 20, 2001, 3122-3131
  • Reactivity of [1,2-Bis(dimethylphosphanyl)ethane] (mesitylidyne)tungsten (IV) hydride with group 7 and 8 transition metal carbonyl complexes., Furno, F, Fox, T, Alfonso, M, Berke, H, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem, 2001, 1559-1565
  • A facile and new type of route to the redox-active rigid-rod complex [{Mn(dmpe)(2)(C CH)}(2)(mu-C-4)][PF6] via Mn-C-2(.) radical coupling., Fernandez, F.J, Blacque, O, Alfonso, M, Berke, H, Chem. Comm., 14, 2001, 1266-1267
  • Dimensionality Changes in Crystalline Complexes Induced by Exposure to Air: Solid-State Studies Using Single Crystal and Powder X-ray Diffraction Methods., Neels, A, Alfonso, M, González Mantero, D, Stoeckli-Evans, H, Chimia, 57(10), 2003, 619-622
  • Generation and Coupling of [Mn(dmpe)2(CCR)(CC)]. Radicals Producing Redox Active C4 Bridged Rigid Rod Complexes., Fernández, F.J, Venkatesan, K, Blacque, O, Alfonso, M, Schmalle, H.W, Berke, H, Chem. Eur. J., 9, 2003, 6192 - 6206
  • Synthetic Access to Half-Sandwich Manganese C4 Cumulenic Complexes., Venkatesan, K, Blacque, O, Fox, T, Alfonso, M, Schmalle, H.W, Berke, H, Organometallics, 23, 2004, 4661 - 4671
  • Oxidative addition capability of triphosphine iron and ruthenium complexes with methyl iodide., Jaunky, P, Schmalle, H.W, Alfonso, M, Fox, T, Berke, H, Journal of Organometallic Chemistry, 689, 2004, 801-810

Selected Presentations

  • Sprayed Concrete Set Accelerators: From the laboratory to job site., BASF Construction Chemicals Innovation Days, 10/01/08, M. Alfonso, M. Weibel, E. Kolomiets, A. Walliser
  • 5,6-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid Coordination Polymers with Cu(II)., Assemblée d'Automne de la Nouvelle Société Suisse de Chimie, 10/01/98, M. Alfonso, H. Stoeckli-Evans
  • Zn(II), Cu(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) Complexes of the Substituted Pyrazine Ligand 5,6-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid., Assemblée d'Automne de la Nouvelle Société Suisse de Chimie, 10/01/97, M. Alfonso, Y. Wang, H. Stoeckli-Evans
  • Coordination Compounds of the New Substituted Pyrazine Ligand 5,6-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid., 36th IUPAC Congress, 08/01/97, Geneva, Switzerland, M. Alfonso, Y. Wang, H. Stoeckli-Evans

Languages

Spanish, Catalan
Native language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
French
Proficient (C2)
C2
German
Advanced (C1)
C1

Timeline

Senior Engineering Underwriter

Swiss Reinsurance Company Ltd
07.2012 - Current

R&D Project and Team Lead

BASF Construction Chemicals Europe Ltd
09.2001 - 05.2012

Post-Doc - New Tungsten Hydride Complexes

Chemistry Institute, University of Zurich

PhD - Supramolecular Coordination chemistry

Institute of Chemistry, University of Neuchâtel

Master of Science - Chemistry

University of Barcelona
Montserrat Alfonso