CEO Insights Magazine

In the dynamic insurance industry, effective leadership is paramount for navigating complexities and driving sustainable growth. Leaders play a crucial role in shaping strategy, fostering innovation, and adapting to evolving market trends. They are instrumental in developing robust risk management frameworks, enhancing client relationships, and ensuring regulatory compliance. By championing ethical practices and fostering a culture of excellence and resilience, insurance leaders inspire trust and confidence among stakeholders. Their strategic vision and operational acumen are essential for steering organizations toward success in a competitive and ever-changing landscape.

David Ariff Chan, CEO, Capital Insurance (Fiji, Vanuatu & Tonga) is one such luminary with around three decades of leadership and professional experience in the insurance industry across Asia Pacific and Australia. Specializing in strategy formulation, distribution, partnership development, underwriting and operations management, he has a proven track record in achieving sales and profit targets. His expertise includes maximising and growing distribution channels, portfolio management and, and effectively leading teams to deliver service and operational excellence, underpinned by a positive growth mindset. Known for strategic foresight and commitment to client satisfaction, David continues to drive growth and innovation in the insurance sector.

In an exclusive interaction with CEO Insights Asia, David enlightens us more about his professional traits and leadership attributes.

With nearly three decades of strong professional experience, what are the major milestones crossed that made impacts on organizational & personal growth?

My insurance career began in Malaysia and continued in Australia. Through the last couple of decades, I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across Asia Pacific with national and international insurers and brokers in Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Myanmar, Taiwan, Cambodia, New Zealand and in the Pacific, including Fiji, Vanuatu and Tonga. I have held roles in underwriting, business development, portfolio management, and partnership development.

Key milestones include my tenures as Personal Lines Manager Asia Pacific at ACE (now Chubb), Regional Operations Manager and Head of Personal Lines at Guild Insurance Australia and Regional Managing Director at Thistle Insurance Services, Jardine Lloyd Thompson (JLT) Asia for Affinity and SME business and as Regional Head of Affinity and SME, Asia, at Willis Towers Watson. In these regional roles, I collaborated with my team and colleagues on initiatives to establish and expand affinity and SME partnership related operations in Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Singapore, strengthening our market presence and strategic partnerships.

As General Director and Head of Distribution at Liberty Insurance in Vietnam, I provided strategic leadership with a dynamic team, supporting our partners in Vietnam, particularly during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. I am currently the CEO of Capital Insurance, leading our companies in Fiji, Vanuatu, and Tonga, where I am blessed with a dedicated team delivering innovative risk solutions supported by excellent service, helping our partners and customers feel secure about their future.

These diverse experiences have enriched my professional expertise and broadened my perspective on global insurance trends and practices.

How do you apply those experiences to drive the company toward a strategic direction?

Drawing from my experience across multiple countries, I employ a strategic leadership approach emphasizing innovation, collaboration and client-centricity. Service excellence is a core value embedded in our organizational DNA that is both sincere and integral to our identity. My strategic and operational background enables me to foster collaboration and maintain a client-focused growth mindset and allows me to champion transformation initiatives, enhancing operational efficiency and improving customer experiences. By aligning our strategy with business plans and understanding emerging market trends, I ensure that we meet our client's evolving needs while maintaining a strong focus on excellence and collaboration.

Tell us about your insurance leadership approach. What kinds of best practices have you been passing on to your team from your experience?

Central to my leadership philosophy is values-based mentorship, emphasizing service excellence, operational efficiency, and ethical conduct. Wellness, accountability, and integrity are foundational to our culture, empowering teams to deliver exceptional results and positively impact communities. Building robust relationships with stakeholders and partners is crucial, aligning our efforts to make a meaningful difference in local communities. I foster a culture of continuous improvement, nurturing the next generation of insurance professionals to innovate and drive sustainable business outcomes. This approach ensures adaptability and effectiveness in meeting industry challenges while preparing for future success.

What future destination are you headed towards?

The future of the insurance industry is dynamic, driven by evolving customer needs and technological advancements. As leaders, it's crucial to prioritize building strong stakeholder relationships and ensuring client and partner satisfaction. We must adapt to changing risks by offering innovative risk solutions and effective delivery mechanisms. Embracing digital capabilities and operational efficiencies will enhance customer experiences. It's essential to continue developing products and services that meet client needs while mentoring the next generation with a focus on empathy and community engagement. By leveraging technology and fostering an innovative mindset, we can navigate industry evolution and empower teams to deliver impactful solutions aligned with our core values.

Could you share a word of advice for budding industry leaders from your experience?

My advice to budding industry leaders is to integrate corporate social responsibility into business and growth strategies. Embrace diversity, equity & inclusivity and foster a culture where employees are empowered and engaged in community initiatives. Build sustainable partnerships and long-term relationships with stakeholders to drive ethical positive social impact. Inspire others by demonstrating the value of giving back through mentoring, volunteering, and contributing to community initiatives. By balancing business success with meaningful contributions to society, we can create a lasting positive impact while delivering exceptional service to clients and stakeholders.

David Ariff Chan, CEO (Fiji, Vanuatu & Tonga), Capital Insurance

With around 30 years of leadership in the insurance sectors of Asia & Australia, David Ariff Chan excels in leading teams, partnership development, distribution, underwriting & portfolio management for both commercial and personal insurance lines. He is adept at setting growth strategies, achieving organisational targets, & developing the next generation of insurance leaders across diverse markets.