Since its inception in 1997, the Asia Insurance Industry Awards (AIIA) has celebrated the individuals, companies and innovations driving excellence across the region. As the awards mark its 30th anniversary, Asia Insurance Review looks back at the milestones, memorable winners and the evolution of an accolade that has become one of the industry’s most respected benchmarks.
By Reva Ganesan
The year was 1997. Asia’s insurance industry was navigating rapid economic change, and the need for a regional platform to recognise excellence had never been greater.
Against this backdrop, Asia Insurance Review launched the inaugural Asia Insurance Industry Awards (AIIA), bringing together insurers, reinsurers, brokers and industry leaders to celebrate outstanding achievement across the region.
From established market leaders to emerging trailblazers, the awards have celebrated those pushing the industry forward amid changing economic conditions, technological advances and evolving customer expectations.
As the AIIA marks its 30th anniversary, it is an opportune moment to reflect on how a modest initiative launched in 1997 has grown into a prestigious regional platform, mirroring the remarkable transformation of Asia’s insurance industry itself. A
The Asia Insurance Industry’s Quest to Recognise the Best
A mixture of Asian and foreign companies won the inaugural AIIA — organised jointly by The Review and Asia Insurance Review — which were presented at a special dinner held during the Singapore International Reinsurance Conference.
Attended by over 400 insurers, brokers and reinsurers, the event was a great success. The aim of the awards is to recognise excellence in the emerging Asian insurance and reinsurance markets, an idea that was warmly received by those present. In the first year, over 75 nominations were received and next year even more nominations are anticipated. The awards evening should be an even larger event as it will take place during the EAIC meeting in Macau.
The winners of the awards were chosen by eight judges (overseen by Mr Sivam Subramaniam of Asia Insurance Review and Mr Bill Rigby of The Review) who gathered in Singapore in August 1997.
“With these awards, it can be said that the Asian insurance industry has truly come of age. The whole process to salute excellence in the Asian insurance market will itself feed a more fervent search for greater professionalism and higher standards. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the judges and others in the insurance industry for their valued feedback which Asia Insurance Review and The Review will use to further improve next year’s event. As always, the best is yet to be,” Asia Insurance Review’s Founding Editor-in-Chief Mr Sivam Subramaniam said. A
A salute to the winners of the AIIA 2004
The much-awaited 8th AIIA Gala Dinner, held in conjunction with the 22nd East Asian Insurance Congress (EAIC), generated much excitement, after Asia’s finest were finally announced following a three-month wait.
Close to 600 guests attended the Awards Dinner, where winners were honoured for their display of excellence in the industry.
The selection process was no simple task for the panel of 21 judges from around the world.
Ms Potjanee Thanavaranit, Director-General of the Department of Insurance, Thailand, and Honorary Chairperson of the judging panel, was the Guest of Honour.
“It is a great pleasure that so many have gathered for the Asia Insurance Industry Awards Presentation Night. I am told that this is the highest number of guests attending the Awards Dinner. So, I extend my heartiest congratulations to the organisers, Asia Insurance Review and The Review, on their success in this project. The judging burden for the Awards was shared by 20 other leading and eminent personalities from around the region and internationally. I must say the whole judging process was most professional, highly systematic and well-organised. The competition this year was, indeed, intense. With the dynamic growth in the market and the series of good news in the air, there was no dearth of excellent quality nominations. We were inundated with several exceedingly high-quality entries from both the local players as well as the foreign companies operating in the region. There were more success stories this year and I understand the organisers received the highest number of entries this year – more than 500. So, I must take this opportunity to congratulate all the nominees who made it to the shortlist of 60, and then to the final list of 36. From my perspective, there are no losers as all are winners. They all have a great story to tell and a great lesson and experience to share with others in the market,” Ms Thanavaranit said during her welcome speech.
The 8th AIIA Gala Dinner, held alongside the 22nd East Asian Insurance Congress, brought together nearly 600 industry leaders to celebrate excellence across Asia’s insurance sector. By 2004, the Awards had firmly established themselves as one of the region’s most prestigious industry accolades. A
8th AIIA: What the Winners Say
Once again, the competition at the 15th Awards was stiff.
With more than 500 entries in 2011, it was extremely difficult to narrow the list down to a mere 45 finalists who are all winners in their own rights. The panel of 29 judges who also met several of the outstanding finalists face-to-face, made the tough choices and even made a watershed decision to withhold the award in one category setting the bar higher for next year. As the excitement continued for the winners through the year, some of them shared their exhilaration and secrets of their success.
“This prestigious Award acknowledges our position as a market leader in Singapore and reaffirms our belief in doing what is best for our customers and for always putting them at the heart of everything we do. I am delighted that our efforts and hard work have borne fruit. We may be 103 years in the industry, but we are constantly evolving to meet new and emerging markets and consumer trends and responding to their needs. Our continual innovation in products and services is driven by one thing – our determination to make life better for our customers,” Great Eastern Life Assurance Company General Manager for Singapore Dr Khoo Kah Siang said.
Great Eastern Life Assurance Company took home the Life Insurance Company of the Year award.
“Swiss Re is very honoured to win the Life Reinsurer of the Year award for the fourth time. Winning is about partnership and teamwork. No one succeeds alone. So, to our clients, who stand by us: Thank you! Our clients are the reason why we strive to do better each year. We will continuously work with our clients to develop programmes and solutions to help them manage their risk needs and succeed in their business in this challenging market environment,” Swiss Re Division Head Asia Mr Martyn Parker said.
Swiss Re won Life Reinsurer of the Year award.
Held in 2011, the 15th AIIA brought together leading insurers, reinsurers and industry professionals from across the region to celebrate excellence and innovation. A
Stars shine at 20th Asia Insurance Industry Awards
The 20th Asia Insurance Industry Awards, held in conjunction with the 28th East Asian Insurance Congress in Macau in 2016, marked two decades of recognising excellence across Asia’s insurance industry.
Winners were honoured across 15 categories, with Taiwan’s Fubon Group emerging as the standout recipient, taking home both the Life Insurance Company of the Year and General Insurance Company of the Year awards.
A total of 43 finalists representing insurers, brokers, reinsurers, risk managers and service providers were shortlisted from nearly 400 entries. Following face-to-face interviews with finalists and a final round of judging, the winners were selected by an international panel, with the results independently audited by KPMG.
The milestone edition also recognised industry veteran Mr Toshiaki Egashira with the Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating a career spanning more than four decades.
By its 20th anniversary, the AIIA had honoured around 250 winners from approximately 10,000 nominations, underscoring its position as one of Asia’s most prestigious insurance awards programmes.
“This Award has been earned not just by me but also through the efforts of all the management and staff as well as business partners and friends of the Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, with whom I had the privilege to work during my more than 40 years in the industry. With great humility, I accept this Award on their behalf,” Mr Egashira said.
Held in Macau in grand style amid great anticipation, the 20th Asia Insurance Industry Awards marked two decades of celebrating outstanding achievements across Asia’s insurance industry in 2016. A
Celebrating the winners of the 29th AIIA
Nearly 200 entries were submitted for the 2025 awards, with winners selected through the AIIA’s rigorous judging process overseen by an international panel of industry experts. Among the top honours, Allianz General Insurance Company (Malaysia) was named General Insurance Company of the Year, while HSBC Life (International) received the Life Insurance Company of the Year award.
On the reinsurance side, Taiping Reinsurance Co. was named General Reinsurer of the Year, while Reinsurance Group of America retained the Life Reinsurer of the Year title.
The evening concluded with Go Digit General Insurance’s Ms Jasleen Kohli taking home the Women Leader of the Year award and Philippines Insurers and Reinsurers Association’s Mr Michael Rellosa receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to the insurance industry.
“My journey in insurance began 22 years ago as a management trainee and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Looking back, I’ve been fortunate to work with amazing colleagues and inspiring mentors who have guided, trained and challenged me throughout my career. To all the young women starting their careers, I hope you’ll consider joining the insurance industry. It is a dynamic, purpose-driven industry with countless opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact,” Ms Kohli said.
“This recognition is not only a reflection of my own journey but also a tribute to the many exceptional individuals who have shaped my career over the past four decades. I would like to thank my family for their unwavering support and encouragement. Their love and belief in me have been my foundation, and I could not have pursued this challenging yet rewarding career without them. To my mentors and principals throughout my career in Manila, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and across ASEAN, thank you for your guidance and wisdom. You have inspired me to aim higher, think deeper and continually challenge the status quo.
I am profoundly grateful for the lessons you have taught me and the values you have instilled in me. I would also like to acknowledge the emerging leaders of our industry. Your energy, fresh perspectives and commitment remind me why I have loved this profession for so many years. I look forward to seeing how you will continue to elevate our industry in the years ahead. Finally, my sincere thanks go to the organisers of the Asia Insurance Industry Awards, the distinguished panel of judges, and to Sheela and her team at Asia Insurance Review for this tremendous honour. This recognition reinforces the importance of our work and the positive impact our industry has on society,” Mr Rellosa said.
Last year, held alongside the Singapore International Reinsurance Conference, the 29th Asia Insurance Industry Awards honoured outstanding achievements in insurance, reinsurance and risk management across Asia. A
Thirty years on, the Asia Insurance Industry Awards remains a benchmark for excellence in the insurance industry. While the market has evolved dramatically over the past three decades, the Awards’ mission has remained unchanged: to honour the individuals and organisations whose contributions continue to strengthen and advance the industry across Asia.
This year’s landmark 30th Asia Insurance Industry Awards will be held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore on 2 November 2025. To mark the milestone, a new award category, Regional Reinsurance Broker of the Year, will be introduced. A