[1] In 1974 Liès earned a degree in mathematics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland.

[2] Together with his wife he then journeyed to Brazil where he worked in São Paulo and Mogi Guaçu as Chief Financial Officer of a ceramics company.

He joined Swiss Re in 1978, focusing on Latin American Life & Health markets.

In 1994 Liès was named Head of Swiss Re Ibéria & Latin America Property & Casualty.

From 2000 to 2005 he led Swiss Re's Europe Division, upon which time he became global Head of Client Markets and member of the Executive Committee.