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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider EastWest Ageas Insurance appoints new PH chief

EastWest Ageas Insurance appoints new PH chief

Published Jan 3, 2023 12:05 pm

Sjoerd Smeets, who joined EastWest Ageas Insurance in September from Ageas Portugal, has been appointed president and CEO for the Philippine unit.

Smeets will replace outgoing President and CEO Glenn Williams, who will be moving up as Ageas regional Chief Financial Officer in 2023 at the Ageas Regional Office in Hong Kong.

"It’s an honor for me to lead EastWest Ageas Insurance,” Smeets said. “It's incredible to see a young company transform into a more established force quickly. The people's knowledge, motivation, and strong leadership astounded me,” he added.

Williams commented on the transition, saying "I'm confident that Sjoerd will succeed in delivering top-notch service. He can assist EastWest Ageas in reaching its full potential and help more customers with their financial journeys."

EastWest Ageas has been the fastest-growing insurance firm among the top 15 insurers in terms of Annual Premium Equivalent (APE) over the last two years. According to the Insurance Commission’s Life Insurance Sector Quarterly Statistics, it has grown by 35 percent year on year and is now the tenth largest insurer in terms of APE. EastWest Ageas Insurance is poised to be a strong contender in the insurance sector following the recent launch of its agency channel.

Customers are the core of every business. And Smeets' primary goal is to reinforce customer-centricity throughout the organization. "If we keep improving our approach in this area, we will be able to better understand our customers’ needs. As a result, we will be able to provide financial solutions that address those needs.”

Smeets said that EastWest Ageas will work toward a broader IT infrastructure transformation and the development of a more data-driven distribution channel strategy in the coming year. "I’d like to see all our systems in place so that we can launch our products faster," he said. “These will enable us to assist our customers in their financial journeys.”

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