Three organizations operating across insurance and financial services – The Ardonagh Group, loss adjusting firm McLarens, and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) – have each disclosed personnel changes at senior level.
Jason Anthony (pictured) has been named to head The Ardonagh Group’s managing general agent operations across Asia, pending regulatory clearance. He will answer to Andrew Minnitt, who was recently installed as the group’s Asia chief executive officer. Anthony’s mandate centres on scaling a pan-regional MGA structure. That includes developing Charter Union – Ardonagh’s existing MGA vehicle in Hong Kong – while pushing into additional product lines and markets elsewhere in Asia. He spent 38 years working in and around the Lloyd’s and London markets, with his career covering underwriting, distribution, and the mechanics of launching MGA businesses from the ground up.
Philip Johnson, investor director for Asia, framed the hire in terms of what the group needs to execute its regional ambitions. “Jason’s appointment is a significant step forward in strengthening Ardonagh’s leadership and long-term commitment to Asia. Building a truly independent, specialist broking and underwriting proposition in the region requires deep local expertise, strong governance, and the ability to scale with confidence. Jason brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial MGA experience and London market credibility, and with the breadth and backing of The Ardonagh Group behind him, we are exceptionally well placed to build a pan-Asian MGA business of real substance,” Johnson said.
Andrew Mak, CEO of Hong Kong, pointed to Anthony’s familiarity with how local underwriting talent interfaces with international capital as central to his value in the position. “Jason has an outstanding track record of building and scaling high-quality MGA businesses and a deep understanding of how to connect local underwriting expertise with the global capabilities of the London market. His leadership will be pivotal in accelerating our growth and strengthening our connectivity across Hong Kong, Singapore, and the wider Asian market as we attract senior underwriting talent aligned with our long-term ambitions,” Mak said.
McLarens has placed Mahesh Ganesan and Ollie Waterman into senior positions covering its Middle East operations, with both individuals based in Dubai. The two roles were created as part of a broader push to deepen the firm’s presence in a market it regards as a growth priority. Ganesan takes the title of operations director for the Middle East. He first joined McLarens in 2009 through an internship in the UK and worked his way through a succession of technical and management positions over the following 15 years. He moved to Dubai in 2024 and has been involved in building out the firm’s regional business since then. His new remit covers day-to-day operations management and service delivery across the Middle East client base. Waterman, named commercial development director for the Middle East, comes to McLarens from outside the firm. He handled large and complex property claims across Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa in a prior role, where he led the Middle East property practice at an international loss adjuster. At McLarens, he will be responsible for client relationships and new business development across the region.
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Steven Wallace, managing director for EMEA, described both hires as part of a deliberate investment in regional leadership capacity. “The Middle East is an important region for McLarens, and these appointments reflect our commitment to investing in the right leadership to support our clients and grow sustainably. Mahesh’s journey through the business – from intern to operations director – and his extensive operational expertise make him ideally placed to lead our Middle East operations. Ollie brings strong commercial insight and real technical credibility across the region. Together, they will be central to the continued development of our Middle East offering and to ensuring we deliver the quality of service our clients expect,” Wallace said.
Singapore’s central bank and financial regulator disclosed on May 12 that Ong Pang Thye will join its board of directors on June 1, 2026, serving a three-year term through May 31, 2029. The announcement also confirmed that four sitting directors – including the board’s chairman and the authority’s managing director – will remain in their positions under renewed terms. Ong’s current roles include vice chairman at the Singapore Business Federation and board membership at Temasek, Singapore Power Limited, and MOH Holdings. He previously led KPMG Singapore as its managing partner.
Among those re-appointed: Gan Kim Yong, who serves concurrently as deputy prime minister and minister for trade and industry, will remain as MAS chairman through May 31, 2029. Chia Der Jiun’s re-appointment as managing director runs through May 31, 2028. Attorney-General Lucien Wong and Chaly Mah – chairman of NetLink NBN Management and chair of the MAS audit committee – were also re-appointed, with Mah’s term described as his final one-year extension, ending May 31, 2027. Gan cited Ong’s background as a factor in bringing him onto the board. “We welcome Mr. Ong Pang Thye to the MAS board of directors. His experience in accounting and consulting work in a broad range of industries will be valuable to the MAS board as we navigate an increasingly complex and turbulent world,” Gan said. All board changes take effect June 1, 2026.
