A company which has served the Singapore community since 1931. A young Malaysian who at all of 28 years has led his 100-strong team to stellar sales. A "Doctor of Insurance" who earnestly does his part to repopulate forests in Thailand. An Indian housewife with little prior knowledge of the corporate world.
They have one thing in common—they are all stars of Asia’s life insurance industry and have made invaluable contributions to their community and insurance market.
Last week, they were among winners in 12 categories from seven markets who were honoured at the 2nd Asia Trusted Life Agents & Advisers Awards presentation ceremony, at a gala dinner held in Singapore that was graced by some 400 guests.
This year, individual winners come from Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, while corporate champions are from China and Singapore. Leading life insurers AIA, Great Eastern and Manulife all scored top honours too.
Competition for the Awards was stiff with some 350 entries whittled down to about 50 finalists, by a panel of 23 distinguished judges from the region’s life market. At the second stage of judging, the judges reviewed video clips from the finalists and selected the winners in a secret ballot held in Hong Kong in May.
“These Awards remind us of the wondrous role that agents play in the insurance industry. Their sales efforts are the stuff of Oscars in the CSR annals. They serve the industry each and every day in a million little touching ways. And it is during the Awards that we are all reminded to count these little and great strides that agents and advisers make in the insurance business,” said Mr Sivam Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief of Asia Insurance Review, co-organiser of the Awards, of which LIMRA is also a co-organiser.
Mr Robert A Kerzner, President & CEO, LIMRA, LOMA and LL Global, said: "Congratulations to all! LIMRA is honoured to play a role in recognising the best and the brightest financial professionals in Asia at the second annual Asia Trusted Life Agents & Advisers Awards ceremony. Your professionalism, knowledge and commitment to the financial services industry are exceptional.”
The Awards enjoy the patronage of Mr Mark Tucker, industry veteran and Non-Executive Director at AIA Group. AIA is a strategic partner and Sun Life Financial is the sponsor of the Awards. The judging panel of 23 distinguished industry personalities from the life insurance industry was chaired by Mr Mark Saunders, Group Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer, AIA Group. Judging was audited by EY.
The winners:
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Winners
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ROOKIE INSURANCE AGENT OF THE YEAR
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Ms Melody Yang He Lin Zi, AIA Hong Kong
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ROOKIE INSURANCE AGENCY LEADER OF THE YEAR
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Mr Chong Jit Shan, Great Eastern Life Assurance (Malaysia) Berhad
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FINANCIAL/BANK ADVISER OF THE YEAR
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Ms Nguyen Thi Linh, Manulife (Vietnam) Limited
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INSURANCE AGENT OF THE YEAR
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Ms Divya Tusnial, Tata AIA Life Insurance Company Limited, India
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INSURANCE AGENCY LEADER OF THE YEAR
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Ms Karine Lam, AIA International Limited, Hong Kong
Special Jury Award:
Mr Rotha Chan, Manulife (Cambodia) PLC
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INSPIRATIONAL AGENT/LEADER OF THE YEAR
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Mr Colin Ong Lian Jin, Great Eastern Financial Advisers, Singapore
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AGENT/AGENCY CSR INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
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Mr Punsak Pasukulpun, AIA Thailand
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LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
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Mr Rayner Lee Hee Mong, AIA Singapore
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AFFINITY/BANK PARTNER OF THE YEAR
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DBS Bank Singapore
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TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER OF THE YEAR FOR AGENTS
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eBaoTech, China
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EXECUTIVE CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
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Dr. Khoo Kah Siang, Great Eastern Life Assurance Co Ltd, Singapore
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INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE YEAR FOR AGENTS
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AIA Singapore
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The distinguished panel of judges:
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Mr Mark Saunders, Group Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer, AIA Group Ltd (Chairman of judging panel)
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Mr Bharat Kannan, Chief Distribution Officer, MetLife Asia Ltd
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Mr Bosco Lau, Managing Director and Regional Head, International Operation, LIMRA and LOMA
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Mr Bruce De Broize, Regional Chief Distribution Officer, AXA Asia
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Ms Carene Chia, Chief Distribution Officer, Sun Life Financial Asia
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Mr David Grant, Regional Chief Agency Officer, Manulife Asia
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Mr David Piesse, Asia Pacific Ambassador, International Insurance Society
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Mr Dirk Pereira, President, Insurance Association of Sri Lanka
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Mr Jason Suen, Managing Director of Asia-Pacific, Hearsay
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Mr Joe Cheng, Chief Executive Officer, Group Agency Distribution, AIA Group
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Mr Joseph Kwok, President, Financial Planning Association of Singapore
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Mr Larry Hartshorn, Corporate Vice President and Director, International Research, LIMRA
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Mr Lars Heibutzki, Chief Distribution Officer for Asia Pacific, Allianz
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Mr Leong Sze Hian, Chairman, Singapore Professional Centre
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Mr Matthew Maguire, President, Singapore Actuarial Society
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Ms Rizalina Mantaring, Board Member, Philippine Life Insurance Association, Inc
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Mr Robert Pain, Chairman, Association of International Life Offices
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Mr Robert Y H Pang, Insurance Agents Registration Board, The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers
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Mr Royce Lee, Financial Services Managers Association
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Dato' Haji Syed Moheeb bin Syed Kamarulzaman, CEO, The Malaysian Insurance Institute
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Mr Sanjay Tolani, CEO, Goodwill World
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Mr Terry Li, Head of Bancassurance, DBS Bank Hong Kong
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Mr Victor Apps, industry veteran and former General Manager for Asia, Manulife
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For more information on the awards and the winners, visit www.asiainsurancereview.com/asialifeawards or
Contact:
Ms Jennifer Chee
Awards Administrator, Asia Insurance Review
jennifer@asiainsurancereview.com.