Insurance

Allianz names highly regarded AIA veteran Thavarajah as Asia Life & Health CEO

Global insurance giant Allianz has appointed Anusha Thavarajah as its new CEO for Life and Health in Asia, effective in the fourth quarter of 2019.

She will cover P&L and functional development in the Asia Pacific region. Based in Singapore, Thavarajah is to be responsible for driving forward the segment's growth to reach Allianz's long-term strategic goals in the region. She reports to Allianz Asia Pacific regional CEO Solmaz Altin, and will also serve as a member of the Allianz Asia Pacific Regional Executive Board.

Thavarajah has almost three decades of experience in the financial services industry and joins Allianz from AIA Berhad in Malaysia, where she led the firm as CEO. Her various senior leadership roles have included positions in finance, actuarial, products, business operations, insurance and management.

She also has a highly regarded reputation for driving innovation and delivering successful customer-focused business strategies. Allianz Asia Pacific regional CEO Solmaz Altin said about her appointment, "She will be a vital resource for the business in pursuit of our growth ambitions across the region."

According to its year-end results, Allianz's total operating profit for the region in 2018 reached €354 million, an increase of 30 percent, while total revenues grew 12 percent to reach €6.7 billion.

The insurer’s life and health business performed well across all key metrics, with operating profit increasing by 43 percent to €275 million, on the back of strong sales from Taiwan, China, Malaysia, and the Philippines.