WR Berkley launches Berkley Insurance Asia: Appoints CEO

WR Berkley Corporation has announced the formation of Berkley Insurance Asia.

Shasi Gangadharan has been named chief executive officer (CEO) and Aaron Yip has been appointed chief operating officer.
The new operating unit will begin offering specialty commercial insurance coverages to clients in North Asia and Southeast Asia through offices in Hong Kong and Singapore, respectively.

Gangadharan has over 25 years of experience in the property casualty insurance industry, predominately focused in financial and casualty lines, in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions. He most recently served as the CEO for the Southeast Asia Region of a major property casualty insurance company.

Yip has more than 20 years of experience in the specialty commercial property casualty insurance industry. Prior to joining the company, he served as the CEO for the Greater China Region at Chubb.

W Robert Berkley, Jr, CEO and president of WR Berkley, said: “We are excited to establish a general insurance practice in Asia that will complement our existing reinsurance presence. Both Shasi and Aaron have extensive local market experience that will enable us to develop a superior offering of product and services tailored to the specific needs of clients in the region.”