AIA has reshuffled leadership in the emerging market of Sri Lanka, with the appointment of Nikhil Advani (pictured) as CEO. He succeeds Pankaj Banerjee, who will relocate to the insurer’s Hong Kong headquarters to take on the role of chief executive officer, group partnership distribution.

Advani currently leads the functions of customer strategy, transformation and marketing at AIA Insurance Lanka, a statement from the insurer said. As part of his current role, he is also responsible for product and customer management, brand and communications, channel and digital marketing, analytics and corporate solutions. He joined AIA in 2016 and was responsible for its new life insurance product portfolio and expanded footprint in the health market. He was instrumental in the growth and expansion of the AIA Vitality program in the market, the insurer added.

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Prior to joining AIA Group, Advani worked in senior roles at New York Life, Genworth Financial, and Jackson National Life in the US, and ICICI Prudential Asset Management in India. He holds an MBA from Columbia University.

“I am delighted that Nik is set to become CEO of AIA Insurance Lanka,” said Bill Lisle, regional chief executive of AIA Group and chairman of AIA Insurance Lanka. “Nik is no stranger to AIA Insurance Lanka having been its chief marketing officer since September 2016. In this role, Nik has done a tremendous job across marketing, brand, customer strategy and product propositions as well as leading the very successful rollout of AIA Vitality in Sri Lanka. I am very confident that under Nik’s leadership, AIA Sri Lanka will maintain its positive momentum and experience its next phase of growth.”

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing CEO, Pankaj, for his invaluable leadership in AIA Insurance Lanka since 2016 and I wish him every success as he assumes his next position within AIA Group,” Lisle added.