Message from the Organisers

These are trying times. The pandemic is spooking minds and markets. People are in panic mode. Yet excellence will always shine through in good and bad times. In these bleak days we need the stars to shine. Hence we are proud and determined to go ahead with the Asia Insurance Industry Awards now in its 24th season.

The Awards, backed by a panel of highly distinguished judges with clearly defined criteria and transparent procedure that is independently audited, have indeed come to be highly coveted accolades in Asia’s insurance industry. Asia is seen as a force in the global scene making a mark even in insurance with its greater share of growth potential. The C-virus does hit all insurers hard yet many have come forth with pro-active covers and pay-outs too.

For 2020, I expect to see a rush of entries from the insurers that are doing good and have the passion to share that goodness with the industry at large. There are thousand flowers blooming all over Asia even in the winter of discontent, with friendships still forged in times of isolation. The Asia Awards will show the bravery and courage of the many in Asia’s insurance industry.

But first you must stand up to be counted. So be bold and send in your nominations. Everything is so easy and online in this digital era. Self-nominations is testimony to your faith in yourself and your awareness that you are doing better than market average. Third-party nominations mean someone else has also noticed your actions in this busy world.

For this year, with the responsibility of the excellence of the Awards being born by the panel of judges, we have some 37 leaders and experts in the region and around the world. I thank the judges for so gallantly agreeing to do their CSR for the industry, including through these Awards.

If need be, the ‘meet the judges’ session for shortlisted candidates can be done remotely through virtual gatherings if the pandemic is still rampant then. But otherwise all systems go.

I look forward to saluting the new batch of winners at the 17th SIRC on 2 November 2020 at the Marina Bay Sands.

The best is yet to be and no matter how dark the day, there’s got to be a morning after. Without the bright sparks within, the industry will be left in darkness. So lead the way.

Sivam Subramaniam
Editor-in-chief, Asia Insurance Review