Athene names Grant Kvalheim as CEO and Jim Belardi as Executive Chairman

The Board of Directors of Athene, a retirement services company and subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, Inc., has appointed Grant Kvalheim as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective July 1st, 2025, while Co-founder Jim Belardi was named Executive Chairman and will remain Chief Investment Officer (CIO).

Additionally, the firm has promoted Mike Downing and Sean Brennan as Co-Presidents of Athene USA. Downing will continue to serve as Athene’s Chief Operating Officer, while Brennan will serve as Athene’s Chief Commercial Officer.

These appointments align with the company’s five-year growth plan as announced at its 2024 investor day and goal to capitalise on market opportunities and drive growth.

Kvalheim, who joined Athene in 2011, is a 14-year company veteran, most recently serving as President since April 2022, running the company’s US operations and growth initiatives.

Previously, Kvalheim was Co-President of Barclays Capital. He has held senior executive positions in investment banks, Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch.

Belardi commented, “There is no one better positioned than Grant to lead the company through its next phase of growth. Grant, Mike and Sean have been instrumental to Athene’s tremendous success to date, and our market leadership directly reflects their efforts to grow our business by expanding distribution, creating best-in-class product offerings and establishing us as a partner of choice. My partnership with Grant has been critical to Athene’s success, and I am pleased it will continue.”

Kvalheim added, “There is a massive opportunity ahead for Athene, driven by the growing retirement crisis in the U.S. and the need for guaranteed lifetime income. I look forward to leading Athene as our team meets this unprecedented need by expanding market share, prioritising innovation, entering new markets and accelerating growth in the defined contribution channel. Athene is uniquely positioned to help an even greater number of people build remarkable retirements.”

Downing and Brennan will build upon Athene’s growth to date and drive plans to increase financial security for individuals and serve as a solutions provider to corporations.

Downing joined the firm in 2015 and has served in roles of Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Actuary. He was then promoted to Chief Operating Officer in January 2022. Before this, he held senior executive roles at The Allstate Corporation from 2008-2015, and was a Senior Partner at Aon Hewitt, leading the International Consulting practice.

Brennan joined Athene in 2017 and has served as an EVP since 2020, driving various retirement services and reinsurance efforts. Before this, he served as Global Pensions Director for Marsh McLennan, and previously spent 14 years with Mercer, most recently as a Partner in its Financial Strategy group.

This website states: The content on this site is sourced from the internet. If there is any infringement, please contact us and we will handle it promptly.