Global insurer and reinsurer Chubb has made a number of appointments for its newly acquired Asian businesses.
The firm said in separate statements that it had appointed Jack Chang to lead the life insurance operations of Cigna in Taiwan; Jee Eun (Geannie) Cho to lead LINA, Cigna’s life insurance operations in Korea; and Gail Costa to lead its life insurance operations in New Zealand.
These multiple announcements follow Chubb completing its acquisition of the life and non-life insurance companies that house the personal accident, supplemental health, and life insurance business of Cigna in six Asia-Pacific markets. The firm said that these additions advance its strategy to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, a long-term growth area for the company, and adds to an already sizable accident and health (A&H) business while expanding the company’s Asia-based life insurance presence.
Chang will report to Brad Bennett, senior vice president, Chubb Group and chief operating officer, Chubb Life. Chang has more than 25 years of experience in the insurance industry in Taiwan. He joined the company in 2021 as president of Chubb Life Taiwan. Prior to joining Chubb, he was chief partnership officer at AIA Taiwan. He has also served as general manager at TCB Life, where he was responsible for the general management and strategic direction of the joint venture between TCB Holding and BNP Paribas Cardif. The appointment is effective immediately.
Bennett said: “Jack is an experienced industry executive with a deep understanding of the insurance market in Taiwan. That experience, along with his proven track record as a leader and manager, positions him well in his new role integrating the Cigna and Chubb Life businesses and continuing to build Chubb’s life insurance presence in this important market.”
Cho will report to Bryce Johns, senior vice president, Chubb Group, and president of Chubb Life. Prior to serving as CEO of CIGNA Korea, she was chief operating officer and vice president of operations. Earlier in her career, Cho was assistant vice president at Sun Life Financial and a manager at MetLife. Her appointment is also effective immediately.
Johns said in a statement: “Geannie has been in leadership roles at LINA Korea since 2011, including serving as CEO for the last two years. We’re extremely pleased she will continue to lead this business, which she has been building and managing for a decade. Geannie knows the business, the market and the exceptional team at LINA. She has the experience and track record to lead this important business as we focus on delivering even greater value to our customers, agents and brokers, and business partners. We look forward to working with our new colleagues at LINA Korea.”
Costa will also report to Bennett. She has served as CEO of Cigna Life New Zealand since 2018, and also led the business from 2003 to 2013. Costa also held CEO positions for Cigna in Turkey, Hong Kong and Europe. Prior to joining Cigna, Costa was the general manager operations for Asteron.
Bennett said: “Gail is an experienced insurance executive who has led businesses for Cigna in multiple countries, including New Zealand, where she’s been managing the operation through a period of growth and change since 2018. She’s a strong leader with deep expertise across finance, operations, and marketing. New Zealand is a new market for Chubb Life, and we’re fortunate to have Gail in this position. I look forward to working with her and welcome all of our new colleagues from Cigna at this exciting moment for our business in New Zealand and across Asia-Pacific.”
In conjunction with the closing of the acquisition, LINA Korea has also adopted a new corporate identity that aligns with the Chubb brand. The new LINA Korea logo, like Chubb’s, can be expressed with nine different colors. These colors reflect the diversity of our people, the vibrance of our business and the customers we serve, the energy of our culture, and our respect for different ways of thinking. By adopting multiple colors, employees can also more freely express themselves.
