Miller, an independent specialist in re/insurance broking, has announced the appointment of Satoshi Watanabe to its Japanese subsidiary, Lead Insurance Services Limited (Lead), as part of its ongoing efforts to expand and diversify in Japan.
Satoshi takes on the role of Business Development Manager, with a focus on growing the broker’s non-marine division.
He will report to Tokinori Kono, Head of Non-Marine Broking at Lead, who joined in June 2024 to enhance Miller’s specialty capabilities in the region.
Previously, Satoshi worked at Marsh Soken, a division of Marsh Japan, where he had been since 2019, achieving a solid record in non-life insurance business development.
He began his career with NiKKO Cordial Securities and later spent three years in a business development position at AIG General Insurance.
This appointment underscores Miller’s commitment to the Japanese market and highlights the success of its 2022 acquisition of Lead, supporting the company’s long-term growth plans in the region. Established in 1994, Lead is a Marine-focused broker specialising in Hull, War Risks, and Protection & Indemnity insurance, and was acquired by Miller after a 25-year partnership.
Ron Whyte, Head of Asia at Miller, commented: “We’re excited to have Watanabe-san start at Lead as we continue to grow our Japanese offering by both scale and product line. With more than 15 years of insurance experience, Watanabe-san brings deep market expertise and local industry relationships which will prove invaluable to growing our capabilities beyond our already well established marine business.”
He continued: “Following closely in the wake of Kono-san’s arrival in the summer, key strategic hires such as these will ensure that Japan remains at the forefront of Miller’s ambitious international objectives in Asia and beyond.”
