Life reinsurer Pacific Life Re has created a new Medical Analytics team to further strengthen the company’s analytics and emerging risk capabilities.
The team will be led by Ian Collins who has over 20 years of experience in the life reinsurance industry.
Previously, he worked at Mercantile & General and Swiss Re before joining Pacific Life Re in 2010 as a Senior Product Development Actuary.
The creation of the Medical Analytics team further strengthens Pacific Life Re’s analytical capabilities and follows the establishment of the Strategic Analytics team in 2019.
Investing in this area, says the firm, will help to improve its analytical and data science capabilities in assuming insurance risk and contribute to innovative product design and insurance solutions across the markets it operates in.
The team will be responsible for developing Pacific Life Re’s medical research strategy across the business.
It will supplement Pacific Life Re’s core Research & Development expertise in relation to data, modelling and analysis by providing insight relating to new treatments, medical innovations and other emerging risks and developments.
Additionally, working within the company’s Research and Development function and collaborating closely with other areas, including both Underwriting and Claims, will provide a pool of resources and expertise, covering medical knowledge, insurance product development, underwriting/claims practices and modelling.
Collins commented: “I am really excited to have set this team up and I feel privileged to be working with such a group of experts across the business. Our initial focus will be around the ongoing COVID-19 developments and longer-term impacts including reviewing the company’s approach to shock risk capital in the light of the pandemic.”
Matthew Smith, Head of Research and Development, added: “I have worked with Ian for a number of years and am delighted to have him in this newly created role. I look forward to working with Ian and his team to help the company maintain its market leading position and to provide the very best support and guidance to our clients.”
