Sompo announces leadership changes for Asia Pacific Region
Sompo, a leading global provider of commercial and consumer property and casualty (re)insurance, announced leadership changes to support the further growth of its insurance business in the Asia Pacific region.
Kenneth Reilly is appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Insurance, for the Asia Pacific region, subject to appropriate regulatory and immigration approvals. He will also retain his current role as Head of our Tokyo office.
Mr. Reilly will continue to report to James Shea, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman for Sompo. The appointment is effective April 1, 2024.
Mr. Reilly succeeds Daniel Neo who has announced his desire to retire. Mr. Neo will remain with Sompo until the end of the year as Senior Strategic Advisor to assist with the transition.
In his new role, Mr. Reilly will be responsible for all of Sompo’s insurance business across Asia Pacific. James Shea said, “As we invest and further develop our business across the Asia Pacific region it is fundamental to build our team to support our plans for continued growth. With more than 25 years of international experience, covering both commercial and consumer insurance, including time spent in the region, Ken is perfectly placed to oversee and execute our strategic plans in this important region for our insurance business. Having been a pivotal leader in our Tokyo office for almost two years, Ken has demonstrated a commitment to promoting best practices and reinforcing strategic alignment between Sompo and the other Sompo Group insurance companies.”
Sompo would also like to thank Daniel for his contribution to Sompo and the Asia Pacific region where he has held several leadership roles. He has made a significant impact on the development of both our brand and insurance business in the region and we wish him well in his future endeavors.
Barclays appoints Denise Wong as Head of Sustainable and Impact Banking, Asia Pacific
Barclays announced the appointment of Denise Wong as Head of Sustainable and Impact Banking, Asia Pacific. Based in Hong Kong, Ms. Wong will be responsible for advising corporate and institutional clients on leveraging opportunities to meet their sustainability objectives, as they navigate the transition to a low carbon economy. She will report regionally to Vanessa Koo, Head of Investment Banking, Asia Pacific.
Ms. Wong brings over 20 years of experience, most of which has been with Barclays across Hong Kong and New York. She was most recently a Venture Capital investor at VU Venture Partners and as Chief Financial Officer at Green Monday, one of Asia’s emerging alternative protein companies. Prior to that, Ms. Wong was with Barclays for 12 years, her last position being Head of Consumer & Retail, Asia Pacific ex-Japan for Investment Banking.
Vanessa Koo, Head of Investment Banking, Asia Pacific, said, “As we see increased demand from our clients in Asia Pacific to support their sustainability goals, Denise’s appointment demonstrates our commitment to providing them with the best expertise to help them navigate the transition.”
Ms. Wong will also have functional reporting to Brian Reilly and Marie Freier, Global Co-Heads of Sustainable and Impact Banking.
Kevin Bogardus Joins Everest Reinsurance Division as Head of Business Development for the Asia Pacific Region
Everest Reinsurance, the reinsurance division of Everest Re Group, Ltd. announced Kevin Bogardus will join the company as Senior Vice President, Head of Business Development Asia Pacific, effective September 8, 2022. He will be based in Singapore and report to Artur Klinger, Head of International Reinsurance.
In this newly created role, Kevin will lead the expansion into the Asia Pacific region, focused on growing and diversifying the reinsurance business across Asia, developing new client and broker relationships, and identifying growth opportunities in emerging Asian economies.
“Kevin is a well-respected industry veteran recognized for his strong cedent relationships and successful track record of building new businesses from the ground up in Asia,” Artur Klinger, Head of International Reinsurance. “This market is a critical focus area for Everest, and we are committed to investing in best-in-class talent whose expertise, like Kevin’s, will support our position as a preferred reinsurer across the continent and globally.”
Kevin brings to Everest nearly three decades of experience building and leading successful insurance businesses in Asia at major global insurance and reinsurance companies. Most recently, he was Country President at Chubb Singapore, and also served as Country President for Chubb China where he oversaw ACE’s acquisition of Chubb and led the company’s expansion with two new branches in Beijing and Guangzhou. Prior to that, Kevin established a first of its kind direct insurance underwriting syndicate for ACE within Lloyd’s China and there served as Chief Advisor and Board Director for Huatai P&C Insurance Co. Ltd. He graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University where he double majored in International Relations and Asian Studies.
“I have had the pleasure of working with Kevin and know first-hand what an asset he is to our growing team and within the region,” said Jim Williamson, Everest Re Group, Ltd. COO and Everest Head of Reinsurance. “Kevin’s depth of underwriting and pricing risk management experience, coupled with his proven abilities to develop long-term mutually beneficial relationships and bring together diverse, high performing teams is a unique combination that will bring tremendous value as we accelerate our international growth strategy.”