Leaders Under 40: Henry Phillips

What began as an academic fascination with how the Earth works has become a career helping economies recover when it doesn’t. Henry Phillips, now part of Peak Re’s leadership team, took an unconventional path into reinsurance — one that transformed scientific curiosity into strategy and purpose.

As part of our focus on Leaders Under 40, Intelligent Insurer spoke to Phillips about his journey so far, the turning points that shaped his leadership, and why adaptability remains the most valuable skill in an evolving industry.

“Like many professionals, I didn’t start out planning a career in insurance. My background in geography was a perfect fit for the catastrophe‑modelling sector. Reinsurance gave me a way to stay connected to the science I loved — understanding Earth processes and natural disasters — while applying modelling techniques and analytical skills to real‑world problems,” he explained.

From the beginning, the industry’s intellectual variety held his attention. “Insurance brings together finance, law, statistics, and both the natural and social sciences. It challenges you to think strategically, work collaboratively and constantly solve problems — that’s what keeps it interesting.”

Over time, he also discovered just how broad the industry could be. “From underwriting and analytics to risk, finance, investments and claims — the range of opportunities is incredible. You’re constantly learning from people with completely different perspectives, which helps you see the bigger picture.”

Today, Phillips, senior vice president, property and casualty underwriting, is part of Peak Re’s leadership bench in Asia-Pacific, a region where a large protection gap continues to highlight the vital role of insurance. He is acutely aware of what is at stake and speaks with conviction about the purpose behind the work, saying he was inspired early on by the realisation that insurance empowers families and businesses with the financial stability and continuity to pursue their purpose with confidence. As for the aftermath of natural catastrophes, he added: “While the impacts can be devastating and far-reaching, insurance helps ease the financial stresses and supports quicker economic recovery by reducing long-term disruption.”

His motivation also stems from Peak Re’s role in expanding accessibility and closing the protection gap across emerging Asian markets. “Here in Asia Pacific, it’s particularly apparent how much more the industry still needs to do — but that also creates opportunity and purpose.”

Phillips’ rise was shaped not by a single moment but by a series of unexpected opportunities that forced him to step forward. One defining leap came when he assumed a senior role with both responsibility and accountability. “Experience and knowledge are powerful in themselves, but their true value emerges only when paired with finding the inner confidence to put yourself out there and share them,” he said. Being a visible point of contact across functions accelerated both deepened his understanding of the business and helped shape his leadership approach.

His leadership philosophy is anchored in the simple principle: “treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself”. This, he emphasised, does not preclude difficult conversations, but instead demands mutual respect, trust and the investment of time. That investment pays back, Phillips noted, as transparency and openness build effective teams.

Along Phillip’s career path, challenging periods have tested his resilience and shaped how he approaches decision-making. He learned to focus on the controllable and now advises others to “seek guidance and counsel from a number of trusted sources, use logic and reasoned argument and take time to reflect to improve next time”.

For Phillips, today’s definition of talent goes far beyond having strong technical skills. With the risk landscape shifting rapidly, he believes “the ability to quickly adapt and keep pace with evolving customer requirements and emerging risks is essential”.

Technology, AI, and big data are redefining expectations, and leaders must be prepared to reorganise their businesses to meet new realities. “Methods that may have worked in the past won’t work going forwards,” he said. Success will depend not only on adopting innovative approaches but also on cultivating adaptability, empowering people, and fostering a culture of trust that enables organisations to thrive amid constant change.

“Personal career growth is a continuous process.”

But while insurance touches some of the most urgent issues for younger generations—from climate to AI—the industry still battles a perception challenge. Phillips believes the sector must reposition itself. Young professionals value flexibility, inclusive cultures and empowerment, and the industry’s capacity to attract the right people depends on its ability to speak their language. Continued investment in data science, stronger ties with universities and collaboration with tech firms, he argued, were all key.

Innovation is an area Phillips is deeply involved in, particularly where it intersects with analytics. He has championed practical, high-impact solutions—including a trended portfolio event impact tool that helped Peak Re’s senior management clearly see how underwriting strategy controlled frequency natural catastrophe risk. “The results were presented to senior management and facilitated in the approval of our plan,” he noted, adding that the tool remains in use. He also helped build an event tracker that aligned underwriting, reserving and claims, reduced duplication and improved reserve accuracy.

Looking ahead, Phillips sees opportunity in both operational innovation, where AI can enhance efficiency and strategy, and in parametric and personalised solutions that put customer needs at the centre.

Phillips also invests heavily in his own development. “Personal career growth is a continuous process,” he says, spanning courses, webinars, conferences and networking. The key is not to “spread yourself too thin” but ensure the learning you prioritise is meaningful.

For young professionals navigating their own path, his advice is direct: “Always stay true to yourself and don’t conform to a way of working or an idea which you don’t believe in. Instead, ask questions and be curious because often all it takes is constructive dialogue to find common ground and energise positive change.” He also highlights the value of relationships and team dynamics: “Talk to people — not just within your team but across functions and the wider industry. Networking helps gain that holistic understanding of how everything fits together.” And, most importantly, “Work hard, but don’t chase perfection at the expense of impact. Leadership is about empowering those around you and achieving shared goals. Keep challenging yourself— and embrace change.”

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