Pacific Life Re has announced a series of leadership changes across its global business as it seeks to further develop its operations in the life and health reinsurance market.
Andrew Murphy, who has led the company’s Europe and North American protection teams for the past 18 months, will transition to the Capital Solutions division as managing director. Murphy will relocate to Pacific Life’s headquarters in Newport Beach, California, where he will oversee global client relationships and focus on the growth of the Capital Solutions business.
Sarah Cheng has been appointed managing director for Europe and North America, succeeding Murphy. She will report to Andrew Gill, executive vice president of Protection. Cheng, who joined Pacific Life Re in 2016, has over two decades of experience in the insurance and reinsurance sector across leadership, technical, and client-facing roles.
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To support operations in Europe, Mala Thurston has been promoted to head of protection, Europe. Thurston, previously vice president of client solutions, protection, will oversee the protection business across the region and manage the related teams. She joined the company in 2016 and has worked on developing client strategies and expanding market presence in the UK and Ireland.
In North America, Cheng will be supported by Brett Laker, who has been named vice president, client solutions for protection. Laker moves to the role from Pacific Life Re’s insurtech unit, UnderwriteMe, where he led the business’s North American expansion.
Scott Hunt, currently associate vice president of business development, will succeed Laker and take over responsibility for UnderwriteMe’s North American proposition.
Gill said the appointments demonstrate the company’s focus on promoting internal candidates and ensuring it has the appropriate leadership in place.
“With a real focus on finding the right solutions for our clients, I believe we have a great team to deliver for our clients,” Gill said.
Earlier in 2024, Pacific Life Re undertook a restructuring of its global business, moving from a geography-based model to a product-focused structure. The new organization revolves around two principal lines of business: protection, and savings and retirement.
In line with its strategic realignment, Pacific Life Re has also expanded its presence in the United Kingdom’s retirement market. In April, the company appointed Andrew Gilbert and Ben Johnson to senior leadership roles within its savings and retirement division.
The company’s leadership changes extend beyond Europe and North America. In August last year, Pacific Life Re appointed Tyson Johnston as managing director of protection for Asia Pacific and global strategy.
In South Korea, Pacific Life Re strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Kenichi Kim as head of its South Korea operations last month. Kim, who joined the company in 2022, is tasked with leading the expansion of Pacific Life Re’s protection business in South Korea, a market that the company views as critical to its long-term growth strategy in Asia.
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