Italy-headquartered global insurer Generali has appointed Sun Lei as Deputy Regional Officer, Asia, effective March 9th, 2026, based in Hong Kong.
The appointment aligns with the insurer’s goal to capture the region’s long-term potential through the combination of local expertise with global scale, advance sustainable growth, and expand its presence in key Asian markets.
In his new role, Sun Lei will report to Rob Leonardi, Asia Regional Officer and provide strategic and operational oversight for all China-based Generali entities.
Additionally, he will strengthen governance with joint venture partners and key stakeholders, lead regional project initiatives across Asia, and play an important role in advancing the insurer’s sustainability agenda.
Sun Lei has over two decades of leadership experience in insurance, finance, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) across Asia and Europe. Most recently, he held a senior role in Group M&A at Allianz SE with a focus on Asian markets.
In the past, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Allianz Korea Life, leading major post-M&A transformation, and as the Deputy General Manager and Chief Financial Officer of Allianz China Insurance Holding, where he established China’s first foreign-owned insurance holding company.
Leonardi commented on the appointment, “Asia—and especially China—remains a key growth market for Generali’s Lifetime Partner strategy. Sun Lei’s appointment reinforces our commitment to building a stronger footprint in this dynamic region while deepening our strategic relationships and operational excellence. His extensive leadership experience across Asia and Europe will help further our ambitions and position us strongly for the next stage of growth.”
Sun Lei added, “I am honoured to join Generali at such an exciting moment in its Asian growth journey. China’s rapidly evolving insurance landscape presents tremendous opportunities, and I look forward to working closely with Rob and the entire team to strengthen our presence in China while supporting Generali’s broader ambitions across the region.”
