Swiss Re has appointed Hazel Etherington as Head of Underwriting, Life & Health, covering Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Global High Net Worth segment. Her appointment adds a seasoned insurance executive to the reinsurer’s regional leadership team at a time when underwriting capability and specialist market development remain key priorities.
With close to 40 years in the life and health insurance sector, Etherington has built experience across underwriting, claims, operations, distribution, and business transformation in a range of international markets. In this new position, she will work with Swiss Re and its clients to advance underwriting development efforts while also supporting the continued expansion of the high net worth business.
Return to Swiss Re with broad market experience
This role marks a return to Swiss Re for Etherington, who previously spent more than two decades with the company between 1988 and 2010. Since then, she has held several senior leadership positions across the industry, further strengthening her expertise in life and health insurance operations and strategy.
Before rejoining Swiss Re, she most recently served as Retail Operations & Underwriting Director at Just Group. Earlier in her career, she was President of Transamerica Life Bermuda and also held roles at AIA and Now Health International, adding to her broad international management background.
Focus on underwriting strength and high net worth growth
According to Torben Swart, Head of L&H Re Hong Kong and Taiwan at Swiss Re, Etherington’s appointment will support the company’s efforts to deepen underwriting expertise and further develop its global high net worth offering. He said her experience would be instrumental in reinforcing Swiss Re’s strategic direction in these areas.
