What you need to know about AIA’s new hires

There will be three new appointments to its senior management team.

AIA Group Limited, the leading pan-Asian life insurance group, is pleased to announce three appointments which will help AIA continue to deliver outstanding business results and additional value for shareholders under the leadership of a world-class senior management team.

AIA has appointed Damien Green as Chief Executive Officer of Group Corporate Solutions, a newly created role overseeing AIA’s group insurance and employee benefits operations across all of its 15 Asia Pacific markets, including Australia.

Mr. Green, currently CEO of AIA Australia Limited, will be succeeded by Peter Crewe, currently President Director and CEO of PT AIA Financial in Indonesia. AIA Group has also named Carl Gustini, who joins AIA from Manulife, to succeed Mr. Crewe as President Director and CEO of AIA Indonesia. All three appointments will be effective 1 December 2011.

Based in Hong Kong and reporting to AIA Regional Managing Director Gordon Watson, Mr. Green will be responsible for developing the Company’s GCS business including employee benefits, pensions and credit life. AIA’s total premiums for GCS rose 25% in 2010 versus the previous year. Under Mr. Green’s guidance, AIA in 2010 continued to be the market leader in GCS in Australia. AIA has built similarly strong businesses in Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, serving more than 100,000 corporate clients across Asia with more than 10 million participating members as of 31 May.

“Since joining AIA Australia in October 2006, Damien has led considerable growth across the business, particularly over the last two years in his role as CEO of AIA Australia,” said Mark Tucker, AIA’s Group Chief Executive and President. “I am confident that Damien will bring a unique perspective, depth of experience, and the passion that is the hallmark characteristic of everything he does, to this vitally important role for the Group.”

Mr. Crewe, the incoming AIA Australia CEO, has more than 20 years of industry experience and a proven track record in employee benefits, retirement and wealth management. Prior to Indonesia, Mr. Crewe was Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of GCS and was concurrently Managing Director of AIA Pension and Trustee Company Limited and CEO of AIA Trustee Limited. He will report to AIA Regional Managing Director Ng Keng Hooi.

“Under Peter’s leadership, AIA Indonesia has gone from strength to strength. His customer focus, depth and breadth of experience across many lines of business, as well as his expertise in group insurance and employee benefits, position him very well to take on the important role of CEO AIA Australia,” Mr. Tucker said.

Mr. Gustini joins AIA Indonesia from Manulife Vietnam where he was General Director and CEO for the past 18 months. Prior to that, Mr. Gustini was country manager for Manulife in the Philippines.

The bulk of Mr. Gustini’s 29 years in the industry has been with AIG. In the Philippines, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Philam Equitable Life Assurance Company for two years and, previous to that, First Vice President with responsibility for developing alternate distribution channel for two years. Mr. Gustini was also with AIG in Australia for 19 years in a variety of management roles, including that of National Director of Agencies and as Director of Accident & Health and Direct Marketing. During his early years with AIG Australia, Mr. Gustini gained hands on experience in Underwriting, Operations, Employees Benefits and Group Management. Mr. Gustini will report to AIA Regional Managing Director Huynh Thanh Phong.

"We are delighted to welcome Carl, with all of his experience and expertise, as a member of our leadership team,” said Mr. Tucker.

“These appointments further strengthen the leadership of AIA Group as a robust business with exciting growth prospects; a group that is deeply rooted in and wholly focused on the most dynamic region in the world,” Mr. Tucker added.