Two international insurers have announced personnel moves in Asia, with Sun Life naming a regional agency head and Markel Insurance appointing its first casualty underwriter based in mainland China. The roles, in Hong Kong and Shanghai, are focused on agency distribution and casualty underwriting, areas that remain central to regional growth plans for many life and specialty carriers operating in Asian markets.

Sun Life appoints Asia chief agency officer

Sun Life has appointed Frankie Leung (pictured) as chief agency officer for Asia, effective March 16, as the company continues to develop its regional agency distribution strategy from its Hong Kong office. Leung will be based at Sun Life’s Asia regional office in Hong Kong and will report to David Broom, chief client and distribution officer, Asia. He will oversee agency distribution across Sun Life’s Asian markets, including recruitment, activation, compensation, training and development, and recognition programs for advisors. “I’m thrilled to welcome Frankie to Sun Life. His leadership will be invaluable as we accelerate the growth of our agency business and bring our advisor value proposition to life across the region. Frankie will play an instrumental role on how we enhance our advisor experience from investing in their development, strengthening their ability to support Clients’ financial wellbeing, and equipping them with the tools and training needed to deliver confident, future-ready financial planning,” Broom said.

Leung joins from AIA, where he has held senior agency distribution roles in Asia since 2003. His experience there included work on agency expansion and digital initiatives designed to support agency channels across multiple markets. In remarks on his new role, Leung underlined the role of the adviser channel in Sun Life’s client strategy. “Our advisors are at the heart of every client relationship, delivering trusted advice and solutions. I’m excited to join Sun Life and partner with our agency leaders and advisors to elevate our value proposition, strengthen our culture of excellence, and help our clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives,” Leung said. Sun Life has identified Asia as a key region for long-term growth, and the chief agency officer role forms part of its plans to expand agency distribution and support local sales teams with training, incentives, and tools suited to individual markets.

Markel creates casualty underwriting role in mainland China

Markel Insurance has expanded its underwriting team in Greater China with the appointment of Flora Mao as senior casualty underwriter for the Markel Underwriting Division at Lloyd’s China, effective immediately. Based in Shanghai, Mao becomes Markel’s first casualty underwriter on the Lloyd’s China platform. She will report to Qianhai Hu, underwriting director of Markel Underwriting Division at Lloyd’s China, and will focus on developing the company’s general liability and wider casualty portfolio in the region. Her responsibilities include growing Markel’s general liability book, managing a portfolio of casualty risks, and maintaining relationships with brokers, distribution partners, and clients across Greater China.

Mao has more than 23 years of casualty underwriting experience. She previously served as casualty underwriting manager at AIG China for 15 years and as senior casualty underwriter at Liberty Specialty Markets in China for more than eight years. “Flora arrives at a pivotal juncture for Markel in Greater China. We are targeting double‑digit growth and are aiming to be the largest Lloyd’s syndicate on the China platform, with a reputation for specialty expertise where clients need it most. With Flora in Shanghai, we’ll continue the momentum of profitable growth in our casualty book across our International business by doing what we do best. Staying close to customers and focusing on what works locally,” said Chelsea Jiang, managing director, Greater China.

Hu said Mao’s appointment is part of Markel’s longer-term plans for the China market. “Flora’s extensive casualty experience and client-centric approach align perfectly with our values at Markel. Her expertise and on-the-ground presence will allow us to respond swiftly and effectively to our clients’ evolving needs. Her appointment marks an important step in our long-term strategy for China, and I am confident she will help us pursue growth, excellence, and innovation across the China market. We look forward to the fresh perspectives and innovative ideas she will bring to the team,” Hu said.