AIA regional chief executive steps down

Jacky Chan (left), currently CEO of AIA Hong Kong and Macau, will replace Gordon Watson as regional chief executive as Watson has decided to leave the company to pursue other interests.Chan will be responsible for AIA’s operations in Hong Kong and Macau, Singapore and Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines and Cambodia as well as group agency distribution effective from 1 June 2017.He has been with AIA for 29 years and has been CEO of AIA Hong Kong and Macau since 2009.John Cai, currently CEO of AIA China, will be appointed as regional chief executive responsible for the insurer’s operations in China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Myanmar.Cai spent the first decade of his career in sales in New York City. In 2003, he moved back to Asia as chief agency officer of AXA Hong Kong and four years later he was appointed CEO of AXA Hong Kong. He has been CEO of AIA China since 2009.Bill Lisle will continue in his role as regional chief executive, responsible for AIA’s operations in Thailand, Korea, Australia and New Zealand, India and Sri Lanka as well as group partnership distribution.Meanwhile, AIA announced that Ng Keng Hooi will now assume his new role as group chief executive earlier, effective from 1 June 2017.Mark Tucker, who is leaving the company to join HSBC as its new chairman in October, will remain as director of AIA Group Limited, in a non-executive capacity, from then until 31 August 2017.Ng Keng Hooi, group chief executive and president designate, said: “I would like to congratulate John and Jacky on their new appointments. They have both played a significant role in AIA’s success since our IPO, demonstrating strong leadership and a track record of sustained execution in each of their respective markets.”“I would also like to thank Gordon for his many important and lasting contributions to the Group. I know that I join with many of my AIA colleagues in wishing him all the best for the future.”