Zurich, Liberty, Berkley, Charles Taylor, Howden Re: 12 APAC insurance people moves of the week
August 22 2025 by Andrew Mullen
InsuranceAsia News wraps up the people moves from the insurance industry in Asia this week.
1. Zurich Insurance names new CFO for Japan P&C
Regina Wiedmann has been promoted to Zurich Insurance’s new chief financial officer for property and casualty in Japan.
Wiedmann (pictured) most recently served as Zurich’s
Wiedmann began her career in 2013 as a business analyst for Zurich Insurance in Zurich.
Read the full story here.
2. Liberty promotes new APAC chief of staff
Liberty International Insurance has handed Ann Dang an expanded role of chief of staff for Asia Pacific. Singapore-based Dang will retain her responsibilities as senior vice president and head of casualty and professional and financial risks for Liberty Specialty Markets in APAC.
Read the full story here.
3. Berkley names deputy head of marine for Asia
Berkley Insurance Asia has appointed Kenneth Cheong (pictured) as deputy head of marine for Asia, effective from September 1. With over 25 years of experience in the region, Singapore-based Cheong brings deep expertise in cargo underwriting, having worked with several international insurers and spent time based in Taiwan.
Read the full story here.
4. Charles Taylor appoints new director for marine technical services in Asia
Global loss adjuster Charles Taylor has appointed Gordon Tennant as regional director for marine technical services in Asia, marking a strategic expansion of its capabilities across the region. Tennant will be based in Singapore and will report to global managing director for marine technical services, Phil Osmotherley.
Read the full story here.
5. Howden Re names head of Hong Kong treaty
Howden Re has named Candy Wong as the new leader of its treaty business in Hong Kong. Wong will lead Howden Re’s Hong Kong office as head of treaty in the special administrative region, a key component of the UK reinsurance broker’s buildout in Asia Pacific.
Read the full story here.
6. Zurich veteran joins Howden as Pacific head of risk engineering
Howden Insurance Brokers Australia has named Zurich veteran Mervyn Rea (pictured) as its new head of risk engineering for the Pacific. Before joining Howden, Melbourne-based Rea was Zurich’s head of risk engineering for Asia Pacific.
Read the full story here.
7. HDI Global appoints claims manager in Hong Kong
Commercial and specialty lines insurer HDI Global has appointed Mani Tsang as the claims manager for their Hong Kong team. Hong Kong-based Tsang joins from Axa XL, where she worked for over five years, joining as a claims specialist before being promoted to senior claims specialist in April 2022.
Read the full story here.
8. Howden taps new New Zealand broking CEO
Howden has appointed a new CEO of its broking business in New Zealand following Nigel Wallace’s elevation to chairman. Howden said that Chris Hughes will join the firm in November as CEO of Howden Broking New Zealand.
Read the full story here.
9. Dual appoints head of specialty
Howden-owned MGA Dual New Zealand has announced the appointment of Darren Woolnough (pictured) as the head of specialty. Woolnough will lead the specialty underwriting team, providing brokers with access to expert guidance and insights.
Read the full story here.
10. Allianz Trade taps new Thailand country manager
Allianz Trade has appointed Tetsushi Kitano as country manager for Thailand, effective September 1. Kitano will head up the local team while continuing to lead the Japan desk business for Asean countries.
Read the full story here.
11. Allianz Commercial appoints head of farm underwriting in Australia
Allianz Commercial has appointed Tom Gilmore as head of farm underwriting in Australia. Sydney-based Gilmore has been with Allianz for six years in a number of roles across portfolio, platform delivery and most recently as New South Wales’ distribution manager.
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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Regina Wiedmann promoted to Zurich Insurance’s CFO for Japan P&C
- August 22
Wiedmann has relocated from her previous role with Zurich in Singapore to Tokyo following the appointment.
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Berkley names Kenneth Cheong as deputy head of marine for Asia
- August 22
Singapore-based Cheong was most recently underwriting manager for marine cargo at HDI Global for nearly 12 years.
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Allianz Commercial appoints Tom Gilmore as head of farm underwriting in Australia
- August 21
Sydney-based Gilmore, who has been with Allianz for six years, takes charge as a review and simplification of the insurer’s agri product is underway.
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Allianz Trade appoints Tetsushi Kitano as Thailand country manager
- August 20
Kitano, with over 17 years at the trade credit insurer in Japan and Hong Kong, will continue to lead the Japan desk for Asean countries.
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