Eric M. Kirsch to Retire as Global Chief Investment Officer; Bradley E. Dyslin Named Successor

Eric Kirsch will retire from Aflac, effective March 31, 2023. He was responsible for building a world-class global investment team with more than $120 billion of assets under management. His replacement will be Bradley Dyslin, deputy global chief investment officer and senior managing director. Eric Dyslin has been promoted to deputy global chief investment officer.

Eric Kirsch, executive vice president and global chief investment officer and president of Aflac Global Investments, will retire from Aflac on March 31, 2023. Bradley Dyslin, deputy global CIO, senior managing director, and global head of credit and strategic investment opportunities, will succeed Kirsch. Kirsch will serve as executive vice president until Dyslin takes over on January 1, 2023.

Kirsch joined Aflac 11 years ago to build a top global investment team. He built a global investment platform in New York City with a Tokyo-based investments team using his more than 30 years of asset management experience. Kirsch created and grew Aflac Global Investments by putting together a strong team of leaders and putting in place a disciplined general account management strategy that put asset allocation, diversification, liquidity, and risk management at the top of its list of priorities. He used these methods on more than $120 billion in assets under management (AUM), always beating investment performance goals and building a high-quality portfolio with a strong track record of credit.

Kirsch is in charge of Aflac Global Investments, which is a leading asset manager for insurance companies in public and private assets, currency strategies, and alternatives that take ESG principles into account. Under his leadership, Aflac Global Investments has recently become a strategic partner to third-party asset managers through joint ventures and minority equity stakes, giving it access to specialty asset classes and business growth opportunities. He was a 2014 Trusted Insight Top 30 Chief Investment Officer and a 2015, 2016, and 2019 Chief Investment Officer Magazine Top Power 100 Power Player in Investment Management.

Kirsch hired Dyslin, who had been making investments in insurance assets for 30 years, to build the investment platform. Early in 2021, Dyslin was named deputy global chief investment officer for his contributions to the platform and his leadership. In 2012, he became the managing director and global head of credit at Aflac Global Investments, where he is in charge of $93 billion in credit AUM. The quality of the portfolio was improved by a new credit function with strict underwriting standards.

This became a core investment strength. In 2017, he was a co-leader of the platform for managing assets and third-party managers that is run by external managers. In this job, third-party assets grew to $12 billion, with a focus on corporate and real estate loans that improved portfolio diversification and risk-adjusted new money yields. Under Dyslin, Aflac Global Investments has teamed up with third-party asset managers to start joint ventures and take equity stakes in their businesses. Before joining Aflac, he worked as an investment manager for Principal Financial Group, Deutsche Asset Management, and Hartford Investment Management.

Aflac Incorporated CEO Daniel P. Amos said: "Eric's 11-year leadership, dedication, and contributions to Aflac are appreciated. Eric has built a world-class investment team and managed a well-diversified portfolio that has reduced risk and increased income, creating value for Aflac and its shareholders. Eric has also built a great leadership team, including Brad, who has improved our investment function. I'm glad Brad will lead Aflac Global Investments."

Aflac Incorporated president and COO Frederick J. Crawford added: "Eric's strategic asset allocation process has anchored our portfolio. His ability to drive strong investment results and financial strategy has become the foundation of our investment approach, earning him a strong reputation as an individual and for Aflac. Eric's decade-long legacy is Brad, an excellent successor. Brad is the right person to lead Aflac Global Investment's teams and investment strategy into the future."

Kirsch added: "One of my greatest and most rewarding career challenges was joining Aflac 11 years ago to build a global investments business. I'm honored to serve Aflac and its shareholders and complete Dan's mission. I'm grateful to lead such a talented, dedicated team of international colleagues who share my passion for finding investments that meet our goals and reflect our values. Brad's leadership and investment skills make him an invaluable partner who will help Aflac Global Investments succeed."

Dyslin added: "I appreciate Dan, Fred, and the Board giving me the chance to lead Aflac Global Investments. Eric's 11-year partnership has been rewarding. I'm fortunate to work with a talented team of global investment professionals dedicated to maintaining our strong performance, and I'm confident Aflac Global Investments will continue to contribute to Aflac's success."

Source: Aflac newsroom