RSA appoints new CEO for Asia Middle East

RSA, a leading global insurer, today announced the appointment of Stuart Purdy as CEO for the Asia & Middle East region (AME).

The company transacts business in 24 countries from 8 operations across Asia, Middle East and India.  It provides insurance solutions for both corporates and individuals including large and complex risks, mid market commercial risks and retail customers.

Stuart has over 25 years experience in the insurance industry, working across the UK and Asia. He is currently Director of Products and Investment for Aviva Europe and Middle East, responsible for Aviva's pan-European investment, reinsurance and insurance carriers.

Stuart will join RSA in May to replace Jon Hancock, who has acted as interim AME CEO since March, 2010.

Paul Whittaker, CEO of Emerging Markets for RSA said: "I am pleased to welcome Stuart to RSA. He has a proven track record of delivering growth and business results and understands both the insurance world and the AME region. I look forward to working with him."

Commenting on his appointment Stuart Purdy said: "I am delighted to be joining the RSA high quality team as we build and develop our businesses across Asia and the Middle East. With eight operations in key markets, RSA is extremely well placed to take advantage of the growth opportunities that exist in the region."

For further information:

Media enquires:
Louise Shield Group Director of External Communications
+44 (0) 207 111 7047
louise.shield@gcc.rsagroup.com

Richard Schofield
Head of Communications, Asia & Middle East
+971 (0) 4 446 6141
richard.schofield@ame.rsagroup.com

About RSA: 

With a 300 year heritage, RSA is one of the world's leading multinational quoted insurance groups. It has the capability to write business in over 130 countries and major operations in the UK, Scandinavia, Canada, Ireland, Asia and the Middle East, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. Focusing on general insurance, it has around 23,000 employees and, in 2010, its net written premiums were £7.5bn.

About RSA Asia & Middle East: RSA transacts business across Asia & the Middle East with operations in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Oman, KSA, Bahrain and Dubai. In India, RSA has 26% stake in local insurer Royal Sundaram.  RSA provides for customers a range of insurances including motor, home, SME packages, property, engineering, marine and liability insurance. In 2010, its AME net written premiums were £187m. Including its Indian associate company, total net written premiums in 2010 were £303m.


Stuart Purdy Biography

Nov 2009 - Present
Director of Products and Investment, Aviva Europe
Executive Committee Member of Aviva Europe
Member of the Boards of Aviva Europe SE, Aviva Investment Management Europe SE (AIME) and Aviva Reinsurance Europe SE.

September 2006 - November 2009:
Group Chief Executive, Aviva Ireland
Chairman of Aviva Ireland Life and General Insurance companies
Board member of Aviva Re.

February 2000 - September 2006:
Managing Director Aviva India
Director Dabur India, India's 5th largest FMCG company
Stuart is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute and has a degree in Government & Modern History. He is married with two children.