Canopius snags AIG executive to lead Asia Pacific & MENA business as CEO

Specialty re/insurer Canopius Group has hired a new chief executive officer (CEO) of Asia-Pacific and Middle East & North Africa (MENA) from AIG.

Soon Keen Lee joins Canopius from AIG APAC, where she most recently served as head of commercial property and SME for APAC. Lee has worked at a number of high-profile property and casualty insurance roles throughout her 28-year career.

She will lead Canopius’ APAC business unit across both Singapore and Australia. Lee takes over from long-time Canopius APAC CEO Mark Newman, who recently moved to become UK CEO in London. She will report to Canopius Group CEO Neil Robertson.

Lee will lead the regional executive committee and is charged with evolving Canopius’s APAC operations, which grew by 35% in 2023. 

At AIG, Lee managed the Asia Pacific commercial property and SME portfolio. Her most recent tenure at AIG was the second time Lee had worked at the underwriter, previously holding a number of property underwriting and management roles over a decade at AIG Malaysia and Singapore. She also previously held both senior insurance and treaty roles at Catlin and Aspen Re Singapore.

Robertson said: “We are delighted to welcome SK to Canopius. I believe she has all the qualities necessary to help us take the next step in our exciting journey in the region. SK brings fantastic experience, a deep knowledge of the market and her leadership style will complement our strong positive and winning culture.”

Lee commented: “Canopius is a leading (re)insurer in our region, and I want to advance the business, continuing to achieve ambitious targets year-on-year. There are many exciting opportunities for us to not only cement our status as the leading Lloyd’s syndicate in Singapore, but also to develop our fast-growing proposition in Australia,” 

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