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Think AsiaAugust 2019
From Andrew’s desk
Welcome to the latest issue of Think Asia! It has been slightly over five months since
I assumed the role of Managing Director of Pacific Life Re Asia, in addition to my
Australian responsibilities. I wanted to share my initial observations of the Asia
markets and our position in them.
The first thing that struck me was the breadth of the markets across Asia. Currently, Pacific Life Re
writes reinsurance business in nine countries, each with their own regulations and end-customer
needs. To be successful in these markets, I believe that a reinsurer is required to have a deep
understanding of the challenges faced by local insurers and find ways of differentiating its offering
to add value by solving those challenges.
As such, a key component of our strategy is to lead in our chosen markets by leveraging on our strengths including innovation,
technical expertise, and value-adding services. Leveraging these strengths, we will work closely with our key partners to help them
achieve competitive advantage in their respective markets.
I am finding the challenge of this new role very exciting, and I look forward to connecting and working with you in the near future.
Andrew Gill | Managing Director, Pacific Life Re Asia & Australia
What’s been happening• We hosted three client breakfast sessions in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia over
Q1 2019, focusing on the theme, “Living to 100 & Beyond”. Our guest presenters, Melissa
Chan from Project We Forgot, and Kenny Chui from the Hong Kong Jockey Club for Positive
Ageing, presented about dementia and how the industry can contribute to the caregiving
landscape.
• In collaboration with The Digital Insurer, we hosted an industry gathering at our Singapore
office. It was a well-attended evening by over 40 executives from more than 30 companies.
• Together with our technology company, UnderwriteMe, we collaborated with Prudential
Singapore to launch a new digital solution that aims to offer customers with instant
underwriting decisions at point-of-sale. Plans to extend this solution to the rest of their
products over the course of the year are underway.
• FWD Singapore is now the latest insurer to partner with us to launch their new digital
solution. Plans to extend this solution to the rest of the other FWD locations in Asia over the
next 12 months are underway.
• We organised a team building afternoon for all our Singapore-based employees of Pacific
Life Re and UnderwriteMe, competing against teams to pursue intriguing missions.
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Think Asia August 2019
Asia leadership appointments
We are pleased to share the recent senior appointments of Chan Keng Hong as Head of Greater
China and Vasan Errakiah as Head of SEA Marketing, Product Development and Alternative
Distribution.
In his new role, Keng Hong will be responsible for leading, developing and implementing Pacific
Life Re’s strategy in Greater China. “I am excited to be joining Pacific Life Re at a crucial stage of
its growth in Greater China, and I look forward to working closely with the team and tapping on my
past experiences in helping the company achieve its business objectives in the region”, said Keng
Hong.
Meanwhile, Vasan will be responsible for building on the company’s success in the Southeast
Asia markets, and delivering on growth targets over the coming years. Vasan noted, “Asia
is rapidly growing and evolving, be it in terms of customer needs, disruptions in distribution
channels including digitalisation, and regulatory changes, all of which bring with it challenges and
opportunities. I am looking forward to continuing to work with our customers to deliver solutions
that will give them a competitive advantage in what are highly competitive markets.”
Both Keng Hong and Vasan will report to Andrew Gill, Managing Director of Pacific Life Re Asia &
Australia.
Interesting reads
• Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr Bill Monday, has launched a Medical Journal Club newsletter,
with the aim of sharing the latest medical journals and reviewing articles that are relevant to
insurance, both from an underwriting and claims perspective. Read his first issue here.
• Is social media a double-edged sword? Find out what we think about social media and its
impact on mental health here.
Our upcoming appearances
Come say hi to us at the following events!
• Life & Retirement Conference, 15 August 2019, Resorts World Sentosa Singapore
• 22nd Asian Actuarial Conference, 21 - 24 October 2019, Resorts World Sentosa Singapore
Would you like to get in touch?
If you’d like to know how we can support your business, please reach out to Vasan Errakiah at [email protected].
For media enquiries, please reach out to Andrew Gill at [email protected].
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