WTW, Gallagher Re, HDI Global, Axa XL, Zurich: 11 APAC insurance people moves of the week
May 16 2025 by Andrew Mullen
InsuranceAsia News wraps up the people moves from the insurance industry in Asia this week.
1. WTW hands expands dual role as head of Asia
WTW has appointed Luke Ware as head of Asia, in addition to his current position as head of corporate risk and broking, Asia, effective immediately.
Based in Singapore, Ware will continue to report to Pamela Thomson-Hall, head of international at WTW.
Read the full story here.
2. Gallagher Re taps senior manager in Tokyo
Gallagher Re has named Satoshi Yamazaki as senior manager, based in Tokyo. Yamazaki has deep experience in the Japanese market, having held senior treaty and facultative underwriting positions at leading reinsurers, the statement said.
Read the full story here.
3. HDI Global names interim Japan MD, Hong Kong underwriting manager
HDI Global has appointed Casey Sandler (pictured) as interim managing director for its Japan branch, effective from August 1. Sandler will replace Uwe Jürgen Sievers who will step down from the role after 30 years of service due to personal reasons.
HDI Global also appointed TaeHan Kim in Hong Kong as underwriting manager for liability in North Asia. Kim has over 30 years’ experience in underwriting liability and financial lines across direct and reinsurance products.
Read the full stories here and here.
4. Axa XL boosts India team
Axa XL has announced a series of new appointments in its India branch, including the appointment of Saumitra Sharma as CUO. Sharma joins from Swiss Re, effective from Monday, and brings 20 years of experience across underwriting, risk engineering, reinsurance, and claims.
Saurabh Bhootara has also been appointed as property, energy, and construction underwriter, effective from April 1. Priya Manchanda joins as a claims specialist, with Vinod Kumar promoted to assistant underwriter, effective from May 6. Akash Jain, meanwhile, has been appointed as an underwriting assistant, having joined from KM Dastur Reinsurance Brokers on Wednesday.
Also, Axa XL Australia has expanded its property, construction, and energy claims team with the appointments of three claims specialists. Tylie Petrovski has been named as senior claims specialist for property, energy, and construction, based in Brisbane, while Rebecca Williams and Ilija Bogoevski, both based in Sydney, have been hired as claims specialists, with Williams focusing on property and construction.
Read the full story here and here.
5. Zurich makes ANZ, Singapore moves
Zurich Insurance has appointed Theo Pitsikas (pictured) as the head of SME for APAC, while James Garrett will succeed him as the head of SME for general insurance in Australia and New Zealand. Both roles will be effective from June 16.
Zurich Singapore has also announced two key leadership appointments to its commercial insurance business, with Christy Yeo appointed as head of property, and Wendy Ong appointed as head of financial lines.
Read the full story here and here.
6. Aon taps news reinsurance L&H head for greater China
Global broker Aon has appointed Forest Jun Wang as head of life and health (L&H) for reinsurance for greater China, effective from April 25. Beijing-based Wang brings a wealth of experience from Munich Re, where he was instrumental in driving the life reinsurance business within mainland China and the Greater Bay Area, the statement said.
Read the full story here.
7. Howden-owned MGA Dual promotes new ANZ head of liability
Howden-owned MGA Dual has promoted Stewart Eaton (pictured) to the newly created role of head of liability for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ). Since stepping into the New Zealand head of liability role in April 2024, Eaton has quickly made a significant impact, bringing with him over two decades of experience in the UK and London insurance market.
Read the full story here.
8. Gallagher ships in head of marine in India
Gallagher has appointed Sanjay Mehra as its new head of marine in India. Mumbai-based Mehra moves to Gallagher from Aon, having spent almost seven years as vice president of its marine practice.
Read the full story here.
9. Allianz Commercial appoints property underwriter in Tokyo
Allianz Commercial has appointed Roy Kang as a property underwriter, based in Tokyo. Prior to joining Allianz Commercial, Kang was deputy general manager for the power and infrastructure group and MRS production division at global trading and investment company Mitsui & Co for over a year.
Read the full story here.
10. Howden Asia hires ecosystems industry veteran
Global broker Howden has hired Daniel Fairweather (pictured) as divisional director for food systems and biodiversity within its climate risk and resilience team for its Asia operations. With over 20 years of expertise in agricultural risk mitigation, particularly in aquaculture and livestock, Fairweather specialises in supply chains and nature ecosystem services.
Read the full story here.
11. CFC welcomes back management liability development manager
Gary Newson has rejoined specialist insurance provider CFC as management liability development manager for its Australia business. Perth-based Newson will be responsible for developing the small and medium-sized enterprises management liability portfolio in Australia and strengthening relationships with brokers.
Read the full story here.
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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Chubb, Canopius, Rokstone, QBE, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions: 11 APAC insurance people moves of the week
- June 6
Everest Insurance, AIG, Howden Specialty, Lockton, WTW and Mecon Insurance also made personnel changes over the last week.
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Swiss Re CorSo, Gallagher Re, Aon, Beazley, Sompo: 9 APAC insurance people moves of the week
- May 30
Berkley Insurance Asia, Lead Insurance Services, Cornerstone Risk Group and Howden also made personnel changes over the last week.
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AIG, Axa XL, Howden, Canopius, Lockton: 9 APAC insurance people moves of the week
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Lloyd’s, MSIG, Gallagher and Athene also made personnel changes over the last week.
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Global Asia Insurance Partnership (GAIP), Everest, AIG Australia, MSIG Asia, Sompo and IAG's Intermediated Insurance Australia also made personnel changes over the last week.
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