Asia: ACE launches new bespoke unit
ACE Group has announced the creation of a dedicated and centralised unit in Asia Pacific in response to increasing demand from corporate customers to deliver bespoke Risk Transfer and Risk Managed solutions. This unit, to be led by Mr Peter Kuczer, will provide customised products and services to captive insurers and complex multinational clients to serve their unique and sophisticated needs.
Complementary to his role as Global Client Executive – Asia Pacific, Mr Kuczer will be responsible for setting the strategic direction and execution of business plans, while delivering exceptional client service in cooperation with the underwriting teams across 12 countries in the Asia Pacific Region. He will report to Mr Paul McNamee, Deputy President, Asia Pacific and Regional Head of Property & Casualty.
Meanwhile, Mr Jack Allum has also been appointed Casualty Manager for Singapore and will report to Mr Mack Eng, Country President for Singapore. He succeeds Ms Doris Kng, who has moved on to a new role as Senior Technical Advisor for Casualty. Mr. Allum will be responsible for the growth and profitability of the Casualty portfolio for the Singapore operations. His main areas of focus will include driving business development, delivering sustainable underwriting results and exploring the diversification of distribution channels and intermediaries to ensure the success of the Casualty portfolio.
Asia: Generali appoints new regional CFO
Ms Jennifer Sparks has been appointed Regional Chief Financial Officer for Generali Asia, reporting to Mr Jack Howell, Regional Officer, Generali Asia.
She will be responsible for driving the regional finance and accounting operations as well as monitoring the financial management of the insurer’s businesses in Asia. Ms Sparks will also oversee activities related to capital allocation, planning and control.
Willis unveils new Southeast Asia and Singapore lead
Willis Group Holdings plc has appointed Mr Simon Weaver as CEO of its Singapore office, and to the newly-created role of regional CEO for Southeast Asia.
Subject to regulatory approval, Mr Weaver is due to start with Willis on 1 September, and will report to Mr Adam Garrard, Willis Asia CEO.
Swiss Re announces new L&H Head of Client Markets for Hong Kong and Taiwan
Ms Joo Hyun Oak, who started this month as Head of Client Markets for Life & Health (L&H), Hong Kong and Taiwan, was appointed to succeed Mr John Mok who had moved on to lead the reinsurer’s client market for L&H in China.
Formerly the Head of Origination based in Hong Kong, Ms Oak was responsible for enhancing sales management and client franchise for Swiss Re L&H Asia. Her prior experience also covers underwriting, where she led the L&H Underwriting and Claims team for Swiss Re Korea.
Asia: AIRDC appoints Acting Sec-Gen
Ms Herminia (Ming) Jacinto has been appointed Acting Secretary General of the Association of Insurers and Reinsurers of Developing Countries (AIRDC).
Prior to her appointment, she had served in various capacities in insurance and reinsurance with FGU Insurance Corporation in the Philippines. She is currently also a Director of Generali Pilipinas Insurance and President of the Insurance Institute for Asia and the Pacific.
New hire at AXIS Specialty Australia
Mr Denis O’Sullivan has joined AXIS Specialty Australia as Senior Property Underwriter, and will be based in Sydney. Mr O’Sullivan is a veteran in the industry having accumulated more than 25 years of experience across various key industry roles. He will report directly to National Property Manager Damien Leembruggen.
Hong Kong: Manulife names new senior executives
Manulife has announced the appointment of three senior executives in Hong Kong to support its business needs and developments. Mr Calvin Chiu has been appointed Vice President, Pensions for Greater China at Manulife Asia, and is responsible for developing pension market entry and expansion strategy in mainland China and Taiwan, as well as advising other Asian markets on pension-related matters.
Mr Edgar Chan has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Projects, Distribution Operations for Manulife Hong Kong. His prime focus is on implementing strategic distribution projects.
Meanwhile, Ms Ji-Ye Hwang has been appointed Assistant Vice President, Innovation and Customer Experience for Manulife Hong Kong as part of the company’s drive towards enhancing customer-centricity. In this newly created role, Ms Hwang is responsible for implementing Manulife’s desired customer journeys through innovation and collaboration with different businesses. This will include forming “affinity partnerships” aimed at fulfilling customers’ retirement, health and family needs.
Hong Kong: QBE names new country chief
QBE Insurance has recently appointed Mr Mark Walker as its new CEO. He will be responsible for profitable growth of the insurer’s Hong Kong operations, overseeing three entities: QBE Hongkong & Shanghai Insurance Limited (QBE-HKSI); QBE General Insurance (Hong Kong) Limited (QBE-GI); and QBE Mortgage Insurance (Asia) Limited (QBE-MI). Mr Pak Kee Lee, General Manager of QBE-GI and Mr Frank Jahnke, Managing Director of QBE-MI, will both report to Mr Walker.
His appointment follows the retirement of Mr Lobo Law, General Manager of QBE-HKSI, who will retire this month. Mr Law will maintain his capacity as a Director of QBE-HKSI after his retirement.
BHSI New Zealand opens for business
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (BHSI) has received its licence from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and will offer property and casualty insurance through its new office in Auckland, led by Country Manager Cameron McLisky.
The BHSI appointments in New Zealand also include Mr Doug Thomson, Property and Energy Manager; Mr Anthony Posa, Casualty Manager; and Ms Megan Howe, Claims Manager.
In addition, BHSI can offer Marine Cargo in New Zealand, with Australia-based Mr Mark Dixon also having New Zealand responsibility.
Malaysia: LIAM elects new management committee
For the 2015/2016 term, the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia (LIAM) Management Committee will be headed by President Toi See Jong, who is also CEO of Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia Bhd, whilst Mr Zaharudin Daud has been elected as LIAM’s new Vice-President, taking over from Mr Bill Lisle.
Meanwhile, Ms Anusha Thavarajah has also been elected as a new member of the LIAM Management Committee for the new term.
Singapore: New claims director for Markel International
Specialist insurer Markel International has announced the appointment of its new claims director Mr Chay Wilkinson for its Singapore office. He will be the first point of contact for all claims arising through Markel’s offices in Singapore, Hong Kong and Labuan, and will also help with claims for Asia Pacific-based assureds whose insurance has been written elsewhere in Markel International.
LOC Singapore strengthens team with new appointment
Mr Don Ross, former head of London Offshore Consultants (LOC) Thailand, has been confirmed to assume responsibility for the Group’s Fixed Object Damage and Port Development business lines in Singapore, including surveys and audits.
He joins LOC Singapore’s team of sector line managers alongside Mr Mark McGurran (Marine Engineering), Mr Nick White (Legal & Shipping), Mr Vaughan Williams (Marine Casualty & Salvage), Mr Kent Fong (Project/MWS) and Mr Olof Koning (DP/Vessel Assurance).
Meanwhile, Mr Chatchai Arunrat has taken over the helm from Mr Ross and will manage all aspects of LOC Thailand including operations for offshore activities in the Gulf of Thailand, warranty services for module transportation from yards in Sattahip and Laem Chabang, and marine casualty work.
Global: Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford names new Group CEO
Cooper Gay Swett & Crawford has appointed Mr Steve Hearn as Group CEO and he is expected to assume his new responsibilities on 2 November 2015.
Mr Hearn will join CGSC from Willis where he is deputy CEO of Willis Group Holdings. He is also chairman of the London & International Insurance Brokers’ Association and chairman of the London Market Group.
Global: Marketform expands cargo, M&A teams
Former QBE cargo specialist Alistair Marriott has joined specialist Lloyd’s underwriter Marketform as Joint Deputy Head of Marine and Class Underwriter Cargo. He joins Mr Stephen Barr, Marine Director, and Mr Angus Wilson, Joint Deputy Head of Marine and Class Underwriter Hull & War in the company’s marine division.
Meanwhile, Ms Astrid O’Reilly has been hired as Marketform’s first Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) insurance underwriter. Another seven M&A underwriters will also be joining the company in the London office shortly.