Several insurance and insurance-related companies have announced senior leadership appointments across Asia-Pacific, with the changes spanning artificial intelligence, alternative risk transfer (ART), surety, and managing general agent (MGA) businesses. The appointments, announced on July 22, highlight continued investment in technology, specialty underwriting, and distribution capabilities across the region, according to company statements.
Sun Life has appointed Lee Sarkin (pictured) as vice president, data and AI, Asia, effective September 1. Based in Hong Kong, Sarkin will lead the insurer’s regional data and AI function and oversee the rollout of AI initiatives across Asian markets. According to Sun Life, Sarkin will focus on expanding practical AI applications to support decision-making, as well as client and adviser experiences. He will also oversee the development of data platforms and governance frameworks intended to support AI adoption across the region.
DJ de Villiers, chief information and digital officer for Asia at Sun Life, said Sarkin joins the company as it continues expanding its regional data and AI capabilities. “Data and AI are critical to how we grow our business, strengthen decision-making, and create better experiences for clients and advisors. Lee will play a key role in helping us accelerate this agenda and ensure we continue to innovate responsibly, always with the needs of our clients at the centre of what we do.”
Sarkin joins from Munich Re Life & Health, where he served as regional chief analytics officer responsible for AI and analytics across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. He brings more than 20 years of experience in data, analytics, AI, and actuarial functions across life and health insurance and reinsurance. Commenting on his appointment, Sarkin said: “AI is transforming the future of financial services which will allow us to reimagine how we serve clients, support advisors, and empower our people. I’m excited to join Sun Life and build on its long heritage of serving clients across Asia and globally by harnessing these capabilities responsibly, combining cutting-edge AI with human judgement, empathy, and trust to deliver more personalised experiences, better decisions, and outcomes that help clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives.”
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Allianz Commercial has appointed Davinder Panesar (pictured immediately above) as alternative risk transfer (ART) business development and underwriting leader for Asia-Pacific, effective September 1. Based in Singapore, Panesar will oversee the development of Allianz Commercial’s ART business across the region. He joins from Allianz Commercial London, where he underwrote global captive fronting transactions focused on the London and Asia-Pacific markets. Panesar has worked within Allianz Commercial since 2008, holding underwriting roles in property and casualty, marine cargo, and ART across London, New York, and the UK.
Christian Sandric, president, commercial, Asia-Pacific, Allianz Commercial, said: “The risk landscape across Asia-Pacific is becoming more complex, and the region’s risk maturity is accelerating rapidly. In this environment, the ART line of business plays a vital role in helping clients think beyond traditional solutions. Davinder brings deep technical expertise and a collaborative approach that will strengthen our ability to deliver tailored alternative risk transfer solutions.”
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Allianz Trade has appointed Daf Owen as regional surety business development director for Asia-Pacific, effective August 1. Based in Hong Kong, Owen will report to Chris Markesteijn, regional head of surety and guarantees Asia-Pacific and will be responsible for the company’s regional surety business development strategy. Owen joins the regional role after serving as a senior underwriter with Allianz Trade Australia for three years. He has more than 30 years of experience across insurance and banking, including previous roles with Aon, Atradius, and HSBC in the UK and Australia.
Markesteijn said: “Daf brings a rare combination of underwriting, broking, and banking experience to this role, built over three decades in the industry. He is highly qualified, well respected in the market, and has delivered strong results consistently for our surety business in Australia.” Owen said the new position provides an opportunity to support the company’s regional expansion. “The role spans two continents, and the surety opportunity across that footprint is still largely in front of us. There is no better vantage point for that than Hong Kong, the markets, the capital, and the relationships are all right here,” he said.
Price Forbes Singapore has appointed Craig McCoig-Lees as head of casualty MGA. Reporting to Bruce Ford, chief commercial officer of reinsurance and wholesale, McCoig-Lees will oversee the expansion of the company’s MGA proposition, supporting third-party MGAs through access to underwriting capacity, underwriting expertise, and strategic growth initiatives. McCoig-Lees joins from Howden Re, where he served as head of casualty MGA. He has also held senior positions with Lockton International and JLT Re and has been based in Singapore for the past 13 years.
Ford said the appointment aligns with the firm’s plans for its MGA business. “We have identified a real opportunity in the MGA space, with growth accelerating globally as new hubs emerge and regulation continues to evolve. Craig brings a track record of building businesses and is well placed to help us achieve our goal of being the go-to broker for MGA business in the region,” he said. McCoig-Lees said: “The ambition of Price Forbes in the MGA space is crystal clear and that is what drew me to the role. I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across the region, and the wider Ardonagh Group, to build out our presence and to help clients access the distribution and agility that MGAs can offer in today’s market.”
