EP 233 – How Insurance Provides a Critical Safety Net for Families and Businesses – Ronak Shah – CEO QBE Singapore

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Michael Waitze worked in Global Finance for more than 20 years, employed by firms like Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, primarily in Tokyo.  Michael lived and worked in Tokyo from February 1990 until December 2011.  Michael always maintained a particular focus on how technology could be used to make businesses more efficient and to drive P/L growth. Michael is a leader in the digital media space, building one of the biggest and fastest-growing podcast listener bases in the region.  His AsiaTechPodcast.com show has listeners in more than 170 countries and his company, Michael Waitze Media produces some of Asia’s most popular podcasts.

Guest
Ronak Shah

Ronak joined QBE in June 2017 and was made the Chief Executive Officer for the Singapore business in September 2019. Prior to this, he headed the Financial, Professional and Casualty Lines business across Asia, Pacific Islands and Latin America. Based in Singapore, Ronak has more than 20 years of insurance experience, having previously worked for three international insurance broking houses and a major insurance company as an underwriter in the United States and Singapore. He has underwriting and broking experience across all classes of Financial, Professional and Liability lines as well as Transactional Liability solutions. Ronak is currently the President of the General Insurance Association of Singapore (GIA) and heads their Management Committee. In this capacity, he sits on the Executive Council of the Institute of Banking and Finance Singapore (IBF), the Executive Board for East Asian Insurance Congress (EAIC), the ASEAN Insurance Council (AIC), the Financial Sector Tripartite Committee (FSTC) and the Board of Governors at the Singapore College of Insurance (SCI). He is also the Chairman of PLUS in Singapore. Ronak holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Rochester, USA.

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In this episode of the Asia InsurTech Podcast, Ronak Shah, CEO of QBE Singapore, shares his 20+ years of experience in the insurance industry, shedding light on its significant impact on people’s lives. He emphasizes how insurance provides a critical safety net, protecting individuals and families during life’s most challenging moments. Ronak’s personal story of stumbling into the industry and staying because of its far-reaching effects highlights how essential and often under appreciated insurance is. He also discusses the importance of SMEs in Southeast Asia, which make up 99% of businesses in Singapore, and how they are often underserved and underinsured. This presents both a challenge and a significant opportunity for the insurance industry.

Ronak also delves into the evolving role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, in insurance. While AI can streamline processes and enhance productivity, especially in areas like underwriting and claims, Ronak stresses that it is meant to augment rather than replace human roles. He also emphasizes the need for empathy and human connection in the industry, especially when dealing with claims and customer service. Finally, he discusses the Singaporean government’s critical role in fostering innovation and long-term planning, making Singapore a global hub for insurance and financial services.

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