6 May 2015 Insurance

60 seconds with Roger Sellek

Rating agency AM Best recently established a new office in Singapore with Dr Roger Sellek, chief executive officer of AM Best’s operations outside of the Americas, set to lead the operation. He talks to Intelligent Insurer about building up AM Best's profile, the developing Asian market and winning the Thailand squash open.

Why is this move right for you at this stage in your career?

I've had a long-standing affinity for Asia since I first worked in the region in the mid-80s. Many of the insurance markets in South East Asia are in a phase of rapid growth and strengthening and I want to be involved by leading AM Best's contribution to that process through being on the ground personally.

What will you bring to the role?

Over my many years of business involvement in Asia I have built a broad knowledge of the region's insurance markets and have strong contact lists in most countries.

Our business is fundamentally about providing our brand and insights to support the individual brands of our clients - I believe I can contribute personally to the perceived value of the AM Best brand profile by direct personal engagement across the insurance community and with those with an interest in it.

What are your initial objectives in the new role?

To ensure that AM Best is positioned to contribute to the evolution of the insurance markets across the region especially as the Asean Economic Community (AEC) comes into effect for financial services.

What will be your biggest challenge in the new role?

Keeping abreast of the rapid pace of change across many diverse insurance markets.

Why did you choose to work in this industry initially?

Because it provides a unique opportunity to obtain get a ‘crow's nest’ perspective on a core part of the global financial services sector.

AM Best rates around 3,500 insurance companies in 85 countries scattered round the globe, so my job provides a great opportunity to gain first-hand exposure to everything that's happening in the most dynamic insurance markets in the world.

If you had chosen a different profession/career path, what would it have been?

My doctorate is in physics, so I would have been a scientist, probably working in a practical environment because I used to have a passion for designing experiments and building equipment.

What are you doing when you are not at work?

Usually travelling to my next place of work! At home I enjoy doing practical jobs round the house and play golf as often as my diary permits.

What is your secret vice?

Dark chocolate coated marzipan!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.

I won the Thailand squash open back in 1984 when I was first living in Asia.

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