All presentations, interviews and panel discussions will be conducted in English.
Ballroom 2 | English Language
Opening and Welcome
10.00 - 10.05 a.m.
Morning Briefing and greetings by Lara Biermann and Evgeny Kulyushin
Speaker
Lara Biermann
Lara Biermann
As Head of Sales Credit & Surety at SCHUMANN Lara Biermann is advising and supporting international credit risk insurer and surety bond provider in digitizing and automating their risk and business process management.
She studied business administration focused on finance, accounting and taxes and supervises international credit and surety insurance companies while implementing CAM Credit & Surety.
Head of Sales Credit & Surety, SCHUMANN
Key Note
10.10 - 10.35 a.m.
Algomans or Humarithms? The value of people in a digitized world.
In 2018, TL published an ICISA article discussing whether and how credit insurance would remain relevant in the digital era. Nowadays, almost everyone is praising and promoting AI – therefore, the main question today seems to be whether humans will remain relevant in the age of AI and algorithms. Who (or what) will be the master and who the servant in our industry?
Speaker
Thomas Lallinger
Thomas Lallinger
Lallinger has been Chief Executive "Financial Risks" at Munich Re since 2010, with global responsibility for the Credit Insurance, Credit Reinsurance and Digital Factoring business at Munich Re, the world's leading Reinsurer. Lallinger serves also as Member of the Supervisory Board of a Spanish Credit Insurer, Member of the Board of Directors of a US Inc. Company and in the Credit Committee of the German Insurance Association. Lallinger is also responsible for the Automated Credit Risk Assessment and Value-chain Enhancement initiatives at Munich Re.
Between 2008 and 2010, Mr. Lallinger built up and headed the "Global Reinsurance Strategy and Organisation" division, with responsibility for the strategy, mid-term planning, organisational structure and efficiency of the Munich Re Reinsurance Group. Since 2006, he has been “Head of Strategy” for the Munich Re Group, having joined the same department in 2002 as a Strategy Consultant.
Prior to joining Munich Re, Lallinger was Financial Risks Underwriter at GE Frankona Re, having started his insurance career in 1993 as a Trainee at Gerling Credit Insurance, Cologne.
He was born 1965 in Göttingen, Germany, is married, 3 children, and holds a Master of Business Administration from Georg-August-Universität.
Chief Executive Financial and Entrepreneurial Risks, Munich Re
Key Note
10.35 - 11.00 a.m.
Technology. Evolution. Future - How we combine innovation with consistency
In this keynote, we will provide an exclusive insight into the latest technological developments at SCHUMANN - and show how we are taking the next step towards a modern, flexible software platform based on our proven strengths. Experience how innovation and continuity go hand in hand at SCHUMANN.
Contact
Dr. Adam Melski
Dr. Adam Melski
Dr. Adam Melski is a seasoned top-level executive with proven expertise in driving digital and agile transformations across large, business-critical organizations. As Managing Director and CTO at SCHUMANN, he is currently responsible for the company’s digital strategy. Previously, he served as Managing Director of MachDigital GmbH – an award-winning joint venture between HDI and Neodigital. Leadership roles at HDI Group (including as Head of Claims IT) and VHV Group (including as Head of Agile Transformation and Program Lead) underscore his deep industry experience. Dr. Adam Melski holds a PhD in Information Systems from the University of Göttingen and brings over 15 years of leadership experience to the table.
Managing Director and CTO, SCHUMANN
11.00 - 11.10 a.m. Short Break
Lecture
11.10 - 11.35 a.m.
Alignment and handling of the trade credit insurance portfolio in a company operating internationall
Global players are exposed to global risks in both the procurement and sales markets. Thomas Goerdt explains the targeted use of risk reducing mechanisms.
Panel
11.35 a.m. - 12.15 p.m.
The Innovation Equation: Cracking the Code to Trade Credit Penetration
As global markets evolve, trade credit insurance remains underutilised in many regions and sectors. This panel will explore how innovation—across technology, product design, and distribution—can unlock greater market penetration. Join industry leaders as they decode what it takes to make trade credit insurance more accessible, agile, and indispensable for modern commerce.
Speaker
Samuel Fattahzadeh
Samuel Fattahzadeh
Within the Nexus Group, Samuel is responsible for the Trade Credit Insurance business across Continental Europe, operating out of Hamburg.
He has several years of experience as a Credit Analyst and Credit Risk Underwriter. Additionally, Samuel worked for several years as a Commercial Underwriter and Key Account Manager, with a particular focus on international Top Up programmes and ‘Non-Can’ solutions for larger ‘Mittelstand’ clients. He led the German operation of Nexus Trade Credit for five years.
Since November 2024, Samuel is heading the European business of Nexus Trade Credit, with its locations in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and France.
Head of Trade Credit Germany, Nexus Trade Credit
Moderator
Mike Holley
Mike Holley
Mike is an innovative, entrepreneurial Chartered Director with a strong track record of creating and growing businesses across Europe, USA and emerging markets.
Mike has 39 years’ experience in trade credit and political risk insurance, as well as in trade finance. He has been at the forefront of innovation in the industry and has been active in the Dutch and German markets as well as the UK and the US. He was a founder and CEO of trade credit insurer Equinox Global Limited.
Mike’s recent activities include being a director at Nexus Trade Credit, a consultant at Charles Taylor Adjusting, a director of a motor insurance MGA; providing advice to the Irish Government on credit insurance, and acting as Deputy Chair of the London Handel Festival (of classical music).
Mike recently became a Chartered Director after studying with the Irish Institute of Directors.
Strategic Advisor, SCHUMANN
12.15 - 1.15 p.m. Lunch Break
Masterclass 1.15 - 2.15 p.m.
We offer you the opportunity to take part in a exciting masterclass:
Trade credit: one policy - two sides
Trade credit insurance protects against the risk of a company’s default. The policy not only outlines commercial terms such as premiums and fees, but also specifies what is covered, the obligations of the policyholder, and the procedures to follow in case of a claim. Both the management and issuance of these policies can be quite complex. In this session, we’ll explore how to streamline this process or, alternatively, understand why certain complexities are essential.
2.15 - 2.30 p.m. Short Break
Lecture
2.30 - 2.55 p.m.
Credit and surety management in times of disruptive change
Low economic growth, demographic change, technological changes, customs barriers and growing geopolitical tensions are leading to economic consequences with rising insolvency figures among companies. Added to this is a digital transformation, e.g. through AI. This article examines the impact of these changes on the willingness to invest and, in particular, on credit management.
Speaker
Prof. Dr. Matthias Schumann
Prof. Dr. Matthias Schumann
Since 1991, Prof. Dr. Matthias Schumann has held a professorship in Business Administration and Information Systems (Chair of Application Systems and E-Business) at the University of Göttingen. He also heads the joint computing center of the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Social Sciences. He is a shareholder of Prof. Schumann GmbH.
Prof. Schumann's research interests include information systems at financial service providers and systems for credit management, as well as issues related to knowledge and education management. Prof. Schumann has a wide range of experience in consulting companies, extensive lecturing activities and more than 350 publications.
University of Göttingen
Panel
2.55 - 3.35 p.m.
Surety bonds in times of geopolitical uncertainty
This panel examines the impact of geopolitical instability on surety bonds and risk management. Experts will discuss emerging challenges, evolving market dynamics, and strategic responses to safeguard financial commitments in an unpredictable global environment.
Speaker
Stefan Vogel
Stefan Vogel
Stefan Vogel successfully completed his degree in Economy Insurance in 1994 and started his career in sales at EUROFACTOR AG. In 2007, he moved to Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance Ltd. in the position of Sales Director Germany. At ABN AMRO Commercial Finance GmbH he deepened his knowledge as Senior Sales Manager. In 2011 he moved to HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt AG. There he held various responsibilities, most recently as Head of Product Proposition in Global Trade and Receivables Finance. 2022 Stefan Vogel took up his position as Managing Director with shared responsibility for the MidMarket (deas Credit, CFG, Schunck Credit) of CFG Finance, which is part of the Ecclesia Group.
Ecclesia Credit as an umbrella brand unites different credit brokers and consultants with a focus on liquidity, financing and credit management and protection.
Managing Director at CFG Finance GmbH with shared responsibility for Ecclesia Credit Mid Market
3.35 - 4.00 p.m. Short Break
Deep Dive
4.00- 4.25 p.m.
GenAI in Credit Risk Management: Trends, Opportunities, and Real-World Impact
This session explores how generative AI can reshape credit risk management processes. We reflect on current trends, analyze the capabilities of AI-driven systems, especially the concept of Agentic AI, and highlight practical use cases that deliver measurable value across the credit lifecycle.
Speaker
Dr. Tobias Vinhoven
Dr. Tobias Vinhoven
Tobias Nießner holds a PhD in Business Information Systems from the Georg-August University of Göttingen. He studied mathematics and business information systems with a focus on data science. During his PhD, he worked on risk use cases in accounts receivable management.
He joined SCHUMANN in 2023 as Product Owner to enable the product landscape with AI capabilities
Product Owner AI, SCHUMANN
Closing
4.25 - 4.30 p.m.
Channel moderator
Lara Biermann
Lara Biermann
As Head of Sales Credit & Surety at SCHUMANN Lara Biermann is advising and supporting international credit risk insurer and surety bond provider in digitizing and automating their risk and business process management.
She studied business administration focused on finance, accounting and taxes and supervises international credit and surety insurance companies while implementing CAM Credit & Surety.
Head of Sales Credit & Surety, SCHUMANN
Would you like to take part?
The SCHUMANN Conference will take place on 18 September 2025. If you would like to register, please contact us!
Top-class and Experienced
Our speakers are experts in their field and will share their experiences with you!