Allianz, Europe's biggest insurer, is this week set to endorse the appointment of a British employee representative on to its supervisory board.

The move is part of corporate governance changes being watched closely by other companies across Europe. Geoff Hayward, a representative of the British Amicus trade union who is employed by Allianz Cornhill, Allianz's British subsidiary, is expected on Thursday to be allocated a seat on Allianz's supervisory board, which appoints and advises the company's senior executives.