Marsh, Aon, Axa XL, QBE: 9 APAC insurance people moves of the week
March 21 2025 by Andrew Mullen
InsuranceAsia News wraps up the people moves from the insurance industry in Asia this week.
1. Hong Kong-based executive to rejoin Marsh
Flora Fong, Howden’s executive director for business strategy and growth in Hong Kong, is set to rejoin Marsh, InsuranceAsia News understands. Fong had joined Howden in July last year having worked at Marsh for over 14 years.
Before Marsh, she had spent 18 years at JLT Group (which was acquired by Marsh) as an account manager.
Marsh has also appointed Brandon Lam as vice president for claims advocacy. Prior to joining the global broker, Hong Kong-based Lam was a claims manager within Zurich’s technical centre for two years.
Read the full stories here and here.
2. Aon names new Australia CEO, also makes Thailand and treaty changes
Aon has promoted Kevan Johnston to the role of CEO of Australia, effective from April 1. Johnston succeeds Jennifer Richards, who was appointed CEO of Asia Pacific. He will report to and partner closely with Richards during the transition.
Aon also appointed Nick Brown as director and head of natural resources for Thailand. Brown was most recently based in Kuala Lumpur as director of natural resources for Asia for the broker.
And the global broker also appointed Esther Kim as treaty director. Kim will be based in Singapore and report to Katy Fairweather, head of global reinsurance clients for Asia.
Read the full stories here, here and here.
3. Axa XL taps new head of claims for Asia, adds to construction and energy underwriting team
Megan Shao (pictured) has been appointed as the new head of claims for Asia at Axa XL. Axa XL has also announced two promotions within its APAC and Europe construction and energy underwriting team. Paris-based Olivier Croese has been appointed as head of construction and energy underwriting for APAC and Europe, while Madrid-based Susana Huete Santos has become the regional product leader.
Read the full stories here and here.
4. QBE Asia strengthens Japan fac offering
QBE has appointed Chie Yamamura as head of the Japan desk, effective from April 1, as it continues to strengthen its established facultative reinsurance wholesale business across Asia. Singapore-based Yamamura has nearly 30 years of experience in non-life and facultative reinsurance across Japan, Singapore, and London.
Read the full story here.
5. BHSI names new head of claims for Australasia
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has promoted Megan Howe to the expanded role of head of claims for Australasia. Auckland-based Howe has been with BHSI for over 10 years, most recently as claims manager for New Zealand.
Read the full story here.
6. Sompo Insurance Singapore promotes new head of financial, political risk for APAC
Paddy Harman (pictured) has been promoted to head of financial and political risk for Asia Pacific at Sompo Insurance Singapore. Harman had joined Sompo as a senior underwriter for political and financial risk in September 2023 from Allianz Trade in London.
Read the full story here.
7. Lockton strengthens marine, energy team in Singapore
Lockton has hired Cindy Khoo as head of business development for marine and energy, based in Singapore. In her new role, Khoo will focus on developing the marine and offshore energy business in Singapore and across Asia, collaborating closely with its marine offices throughout the region. She will report to Asia head of marine Sung Wook Han.
Read the full story here.
8. Steamship Mutual elevates new APAC managing director
Steamship Mutual, part of The International Group of P&I Clubs, has appointed Jamie Taylor as managing director for Asia Pacific. Singapore-based Taylor spent over six years in the role of chief executive of the Singapore branch prior to the move.
Read the full story here.
9. Howden Specialty continues APAC energy buildout
Howden Specialty has appointed David Chin (pictured) as head of energy claims for its natural resources team. Prior to joining Howden, Singapore-based Chin spent over 19 years in the role of loss adjuster at Sedgwick.
Read the full story here.
Other moves you may have missed
Howden-owned MGA Dual has promoted Damian Browne to deputy general manager for New Zealand, while Cath Whitaker has been appointed as the chief operating officer of Australia’s Network Insurance Group and Insurance House.
Global high net-worth insurance broker Howden Private Wealth (HPW), meanwhile, has promoted Bryan Pee and Shirley Sy to Singapore and Malaysia CEO and Hong Kong deputy CEO, respectively.
And finally …
Dave Matcham is to leave his role with the International Underwriting Association (IUA) in May. Matcham has spent two decades at the helm of the association, which represents the London company market, and 45 years in the London market. Matcham is set to be replaced by IUA director of legal underwriting and claims, Chris Jones.
Gallagher Re’s international division chairman James Vickers has also announced his retirement from the company, effective from May 31. Vickers, who has been based in Japan for nearly two decades, started his career in 1978 at Willis Re.
Elsewhere, Markel Group has announced president of Markel International Simon Wilson has been named CEO of Markel Insurance, which includes Markel Specialty, Markel International and Markel Global Reinsurance.
And Manulife has named Steve Finch as president and CEO of Manulife Asia, succeeding Phil Witherington, who has been named president and CEO of Manulife.
For more InsuranceAsia News (IAN) people moves at brokers, insurers, reinsurers, insurtechs, specialty players, MGAs and loss adjusters across Asia Pacific’s fast-growing (re)insurance markets click here.
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