Global specialty and P&C insurer and reinsurer, Canopius Group, has hired Soon Keen Lee as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Asia Pacific (APAC) and Middle East & North Africa (MENA), reporting to Canopius Group CEO Neil Robertson.
The appointment, which sees Lee join the Canopius Group Leadership Team, remains subject to regulatory approval.
In her new role, Lee will lead the company’s APAC Business Unit across both Singapore and Australia. She takes over from long-time Canopius APAC CEO, Mark Newman, who recently became UK CEO in London.
Lee will be tasked with leading the regional Executive Committee and is charged with continuing to evolve Canopius’ APAC operations, which grew by 35% in 2023.
She joins the re/insurer from AIG APAC, where she most recently held the role of Head of Commercial Property and SME for APAC. During her 28-year career, Lee has held numerous high-profile P&C insurance roles.
During her time with AIG APAC, Lee managed the Asia Pacific Commercial Property and SME portfolio. Lee’s most recent stint with AIG was the second time she worked at the insurer, having previously held a number of property underwriting and management roles over a decade at AIG Malaysia and Singapore.
Earlier in her career, she held senior insurance and treaty roles at Catlin and Aspen Re Singapore.
Robertson said: “We are delighted to welcome SK to Canopius. I believe she has all the qualities necessary to help us take the next step in our exciting journey in the region. SK brings fantastic experience, a deep knowledge of the market and her leadership style will complement our strong positive and winning culture.”
Lee added: “Canopius is a leading (re)insurer in our region, and I want to advance the business, continuing to achieve ambitious targets year-on-year. There are many exciting opportunities for us to not only cement our status as the leading Lloyd’s syndicate in Singapore, but also to develop our fast-growing proposition in Australia.
“I am very much looking forward to leading fantastic teams in both Singapore and Australia. I am also honoured to represent our APAC business as part of an ambitious management team at Canopius that’s overseen formidable transformation over the last two years.”
