bolttech, Cholamandalam MS General Insurance, and Chubb Life Hong Kong have each announced senior leadership appointments in Asia, reflecting ongoing changes in management structures across key insurance and insurtech markets in the region.
Global insurtech bolttech has appointed Kohei Watanabe (pictured) as general manager, Japan. He will be responsible for the group’s business in the country, including profit and loss for domestic operations and international activities linked to the Japanese market. Based in Tokyo, Watanabe will oversee bolttech’s strategy in Japan and work with partners including Tokio Marine and Sumitomo Corporation. His responsibilities include management of the local business and coordination with regional and global teams.
Watanabe previously spent 17 years with Tokio Marine in senior roles in Japan and the UK, including a period at Tokio Marine Kiln. He later led product planning for corporate underwriting at Tokio Marine in Tokyo. He then moved to Singapore, where he worked on building Liberty Mutual’s Japanese business across Asia-Pacific. Most recently, he led go-to-market planning and sales expansion across Asia for ICEYE, a Finland-based space technology company that provides services to the insurance sector.
Philip Weiner, chief executive officer, Asia-Pacific, bolttech, said Watanabe’s appointment is aligned with the company’s focus on the Japanese market. “Japan is a strategically important market for bolttech, and we’re pleased to welcome Kohei Watanabe as general manager, Japan. His deep experience across insurance, underwriting and technology, combined with a strong understanding of both the Japanese and international markets, will be instrumental as we continue to scale our partnerships and capabilities in the country,” Weiner said.
In India, Cholamandalam MS General Insurance (Chola MS) has set out a leadership transition at the head of the company. According to The Hindu Business Line’s report, the board has appointed Rajive Kumaraswami as managing director designate, effective April 22, 2026. He is scheduled to take over as managing director and chief executive officer from June 1, 2026, subject to required approvals. Kumaraswami will succeed V. Suryanarayanan, who is due to retire from Chola MS on May 31, 2026. Suryanarayanan has been with the general insurer for about 20 years and with the wider Murugappa Group for almost 30 years. In a statement, the company said: “Under his leadership, Chola MS expanded and diversified its product portfolio, strengthened distribution partnerships, deepened its use of technology, built capable and engaged teams, and further reinforced governance practices.”
Kumaraswami was most recently managing director and chief executive officer of Magma General Insurance Company. He began his career with ICICI Limited in project finance before moving into nonlife insurance at ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company. He has also represented SCOR SE in the Indian subcontinent as chief representative; SCOR is described as the world’s fifth largest reinsurer. He is an alumnus of the University of Delhi, a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, and an associate member of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India.
In Hong Kong, Chubb Life Hong Kong has appointed Dicky Lam as chief financial officer. In a LinkedIn announcement, Chubb Life Hong Kong said: “We’re pleased to welcome Dicky Lam to the Chubb Life Hong Kong team as our new chief financial officer. Dicky brings more than 28 years of life insurance experience across Asia, having held senior leadership roles at Prudential, AIA, Manulife, China Life (Overseas), and Bowtie.”
The company said Lam most recently served as chief financial officer and chief product officer at Prudential Hong Kong, “driving sustained growth.” It added: “Dicky’s expertise in growth, financial governance, and product innovation will be invaluable as we advance Chubb Life’s strategy in delivering innovative solutions and high-quality service to our clients. Please join us in congratulating Dicky and welcoming him to the Chubb Life Hong Kong family!”
