Generali Asia has appointed K. G. Krishnamoorthy (KM) Rao as chief executive of MPI Generali Insurans Bhd in Malaysia, effective November 19.

Rao (pictured) will be in charge of the overall insurance operations of MPI Generali and will drive the strategic growth plans of the company. He succeeds Oliver Tan, who has left Generali.

Prior to this appointment, Rao was previously managing director and CEO of Future Generali India Insurance Company (FGII), a joint venture between the Italian insurer and India’s Future Group. In Rao’s absence, Shreeraj Deshpande has been named as interim head of FGII, in addition to his current roles as senior vice president and head of operations, customer service and health insurance.

Rao has over 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry, having worked at Bajaj Allianz, Dhabol Power Company, TATA AIG Risk Management Services and National Insurance Co. Ltd. He is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of India.

“We are excited to confirm KM’s appointment,” said Roberto Leonardi, regional officer for Asia-Pacific at Generali. “As well as the strong leadership, energy and dynamism he will bring to the role, KM is well placed to support our regional strategy of accelerating our presence and to become Asia’s best insurer, as demonstrated by the strength and growth of Future Generali.”