Global reinsurer Swiss Re has announced a number of changes to its Asia management team, due to be implemented in September.
Mark Senkevics, who for the last decade has led Swiss Re in Australia and New Zealand across both life and health, as well as property and casualty businesses, will now lead as Head P&C Underwriting for APAC from Sydney.
He had previously held branch head roles in Taiwan and South Korea, and currently sits on the Board of the Insurance Council of Australia and is a committee member for the Life Board for the Financial Services Council.
Succeeding Senkevics in the role of Australia & New Zealand Head is Sharon Ooi, who will relocate to Sydney.
Ooi has been with Swiss Re since 2006 following Swiss Re’s acquisition of GE Insurance Solutions, and has held numerous roles within the company, including as Head P&C Underwriting APAC which she will hand over to Senkevics.
She will continue to lead the firm’s diversity and inclusion efforts across APAC when she relocates to Sydney.
“Sharon’s demonstrated client focus, deep industry knowledge across a wide range of markets, and more recently her experience leading our underwriting team across APAC positions her well to support our clients as they navigate these challenging times and then into the future,” said Senkevics.
“These appointees bring decades of experience into their new roles. But more importantly, what they bring is an ever-present desire to innovate to meet the challenges of today and the future,” said Russell Higginbotham, Swiss Re Asia CEO.
“I am especially pleased to be able to make this announcement, and I have no doubt that they will help steer us – and our clients – through these unprecedented times.”
Commenting on her appointment, Ooi said, “These are big shoes to fill, and I want to thank Mark for handing over a business that is growing and solving our clients’ needs at their point of need.
“I am looking forward to the challenges and I hope to be able to play a small part in helping Australia become a more resilient place to live, work and thrive.”
