24 May 2017News

Swiss Re reveals head of new P&C underwriting hub in Asia

Swiss Re is to form a combined property/casualty (P&C) underwriting  hub for the Asia-Pacific region within its reinsurance business unit.

The company has appointed Sharon Ooi to lead the unit as head P&C underwriting for Asia, Australia & New Zealand. In the newly-created role, Ooi will be tasked to bring together all the expertise of Swiss Re's underwriting teams, including facultative business, to serve its customers.

Ooi will continue to be based in Singapore and work closely with Swiss Re's local business heads in the region. She will also continue to serve as the chief executive officer (CEO) for Swiss Re Singapore.

The creation of one hub handling the full range of property and casualty underwriting will enable Swiss Re to support its clients more efficiently with a focus on profitable growth across the region, the company said.

Victor Kuk will take on the role of head, P&C client markets for Southeast Asia, India, Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan, from Ooi. Kuk is based in Hong Kong.

Both the appointments will be effective from July 2017.

"These appointments are great examples of the diverse skillsets and talent that Swiss Re has in Asia," said Jayne Plunkett, Swiss Re chief executive officer Asia. "The new hub combines our global knowledge with even deeper insights into local markets and industry needs, to benefit our clients as they continue to grow their businesses across Asia Pacific."

The Asian insurance sector has seen strong growth over the past decade, with the region now accounting for 30 percent of global insurance premiums, compared to 20 percent in 2007. The outlook remains robust, according to the statement.

Swiss Re stated that it expects the region's non-life and life premiums to grow by 5 percent and 6 percent respectively, in real terms per annum in the coming decade. Emerging Asian insurance markets will grow even faster.

Today’s stories

AIG capitalization and Duperreault reassure AM Best

New Lloyd’s syndicate Blend launches in Australia following Beazley deal

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions replaces EMEA CEO following resignation

Ironshore poaches Hiscox exec to lead political risk/trade credit

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions appoints new CEO of Asia Pacific

Scottish Re commences wind up in Bermuda and Cayman

1347 Property Insurance hires former BMS Re exec as COO

Eurobase International appoints insurance director

Did you enjoy reading this story?  Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.

Already registered?

Login to your account

To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.

Two Weeks Free Trial

For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Elliot Field at efield@newtonmedia.co.uk or Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk


More on this story

News
18 April 2017   Zurich-based Swiss Re has established a dedicated regional legal entity in Singapore for its reinsurance business unit. The entity will also house the regional headquarters for Swiss Re’s network of reinsurance operations in Asia.
Insurance
4 May 2017   Swiss Re expects to benefit from “very significant growth” potential by setting up a new hub in Singapore but is shrinking the business elsewhere to protect profitability.