AIG plucks top Berkshire leader to drive expansion in Asia Pacific

American International Group (AIG) has taken Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance’s head of UK and Europe to lead the expansion of its Asia Pacific business.

Chris Colahan (pictured) has been appointed regional president of AIG Asia Pacific, and will join the company in the second quarter of 2023. Colahan will report to Jon Hancock, chief executive officer of AIG’s International General Insurance business.

Colahan replaces current regional president Steven Barnett, who is leaving to pursue opportunities outside the company.

Colahan has more than 20 years of insurance industry experience and most recently served as president of UK & Europe for Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI). Prior to that, he was president of BHSI Australasia. Previously, he served as regional CEO for RSA Asia and CEO of RSA Asia’s Hong Kong and Singapore operations.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Chris’ industry experience and vast knowledge of the Asia Pacific marketplace join AIG,” said Hancock, “Asia Pacific is an important market for our General Insurance business, and with Chris’ leadership, we expect to expand our business and capabilities, deepen relationships with distribution partners and clients, and continue to demonstrate our risk management expertise.”

Colahan said: “It is a privilege to join AIG, an industry leader with world-class capabilities. I look forward to working with the talented group of colleagues throughout the region and more broadly across the company. AIG is known for delivering excellence in everything it does and I am confident we will successfully execute on the Asia Pacific strategy with precision and a focus on quality outcomes.”

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