Insurance companies and insurance services firms have announced leadership changes across Asia, with appointments spanning Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and regional risk underwriting.
The moves include a new chief executive at Allianz Insurance Singapore, a CEO nominee at AIA Life Korea, two leadership appointments at Aon’s Japan Global Solutions business, and a new Asia Pacific risk underwriting head at Coface.
Allianz Insurance Singapore has appointed Ong Bi Ying as chief executive officer, effective October 1, succeeding Hicham Raissi, who is leaving to pursue opportunities outside the Allianz Group.
Ong joined Allianz Insurance Singapore in 2019 and has held progressively senior roles, most recently serving as chief operating officer. The company said she has played a role in strengthening its operations and capabilities throughout its growth journey.
Anusha Thavarajah, regional CEO of Allianz Asia Pacific, said Ong’s understanding of the company and Singapore market would support her in the new position.
“With her deep understanding of the company and the Singapore market, I am confident Bi Ying is well positioned to lead Allianz Insurance Singapore into its next chapter. I would like to thank Hicham for his contributions and wish him every success ahead,” Thavarajah said.
Raissi said: “It has been a privilege to lead Allianz Insurance Singapore. I am proud of what we have built together and confident the company is in excellent hands with Bi Ying.”
Ong said she would work with the company’s team and distribution partners in her new role. “I am honoured to take on this role and look forward to working with our team and distribution partners to continue driving growth and delivering innovative insurance solutions for our customers,” she said.
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AIA Life Korea has nominated Leo Ng, chief financial officer of AIA China, as its next chief executive officer, according to The Korea Herald.
Ng has served as AIA China’s CFO since 2016 and has more than 30 years of experience in the life insurance industry, including 12 years with AIA. He has held senior leadership roles across Asia.
Ng holds a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo in Canada, specialising in actuarial science and statistics, and is a fellow of the Society of Actuaries.
“My immediate priority will be to listen and learn by spending time with our people, customers, and partners to develop a deeper understanding of the Korean market and the significant opportunities ahead,” Ng said.
The nomination follows the departure of former CEO Nathan Chuang in August, despite his term having been scheduled to run through July 2028. AIA Life Korea said Chuang left the company “to pursue other opportunities.” Chief financial officer Helena Chon subsequently assumed the CEO role on an interim basis.
Aon has appointed Naoki Kido (pictured immediately below) as global head of Japan Global Solutions, effective September 30, and Yuki Tanemura as global chief commercial officer and head of North America for Japan Global Solutions, effective January 1, 2027. The appointments are subject to applicable regulatory requirements.
Kido is based in Tokyo and reports to Craig Torgius, chief client officer and head of enterprise clients, Asia Pacific. Tanemura will be based in Chicago and report to Kido.
Kido joins Aon after serving as practice leader of WTW’s Japan Global Practice Group for North America. He previously held leadership roles covering Japanese multinational clients in North America and Europe.
His new responsibilities include leading the strategy and development of Japan Global Solutions and working with Aon’s Risk Capital and Human Capital businesses.
Tanemura has spent 20 years with Aon and has held leadership roles across Japan, Southeast Asia, and the US. His expanded role will cover commercial growth, client engagement, and collaboration across the Global Solutions network.
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Coface has appointed Zach Spencer (pictured above) as head of risk underwriting for the Asia Pacific region, effective October 1. Spencer will relocate to Singapore and report to Raphael Rousselot, chief underwriting officer for the Asia Pacific region, with a dotted reporting line to Anca Dan, group head of risk underwriting.
Spencer will oversee the region’s risk underwriting teams, with responsibilities covering underwriting policies, team capabilities, risk analysis, portfolio monitoring, and operational performance. He will also work with commercial, claims, and debt collection teams.
He has more than 15 years of experience across risk underwriting, portfolio management, commercial lending, credit insurance, and business transformation.
Spencer joined Coface Canada in 2020 and served as vice president and head of risk underwriting for Canada from 2021 to 2025. Most recently, he was North America head of claims and debt collection, where he worked on process standardisation, collection performance, and operational efficiency.
“We are pleased to welcome Zach to Asia Pacific. His experience in risk underwriting and portfolio management, together with his understanding of Coface’s commercial and operational priorities, will be valuable as we strengthen our underwriting capabilities across the region,” Rousselot said.
