Sixteen winners, the best of the best of the insurance industry, edged out hundreds of entries to the 21st Asia Insurance Industry Awards this year.

These deserving laureates demonstrated true grit and excellence in their Awards journey, prevailing in the process during which hundreds of submissions were first parsed to 40 finalists, which were then subject to another gruelling round of judging before being whittled down to the 16 champions.

Last night, each of them took home the Best of the Year titles in various categories at the Awards Gala dinner, held in conjunction with the 14th Singapore International Reinsurance Conference.

India shone extra bright for two Indian insurers to sweep three titles, while Allianz too saw its name etched on three trophies. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company of India proved that emerging markets have in several ways leapfrogged their developed peers in technology, by clinching the Technology Initiative of the Year Award and sharing the Digital Insurer of the Year title—introduced for the very first time this year—with Cathay Life Insurance Co Ltd (Taiwan).

This year saw not just new categories, but also new entrants. Lloyd’s Asia was honoured with the General Reinsurer of the Year title, a first-time candidate turned first-time champion!

The Personality of the Year award went to Mr Chris Wei, who is widely known for being a leading proponent of digital insurance and has led Aviva in blazing multiple achievements and technology partnerships on this front.

Meanwhile, the Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed on industry veteran Mr Mark Tucker, with his immense and ineffable achievements at AIA and Prudential during the course of his career, benefitting their millions of life insurance policyholders in Asia.

Mr Sivam Subramaniam, Editor-in-Chief of Asia Insurance Review, organiser and host of the Awards gala which was attended by around 500 guests, said: “Congratulations to all! We salute the finalists and candidates, for their part in being building blocks to the success of the industry. The 16 winners carry the weight of the Awards to another level, acting as brand Ambassadors of Insurance in Asia and will have the duty to boost the value of insurance as a necessity in life and business.

“It is my honour to also thank the panel of 23 judges for their CSR to the insurance industry in diligently discharging their duties in the search for excellence.”

Hosted annually by Asia Insurance Review, the AIIA is in its 21st year this year and is a much sought-after mark of excellence and peer group endorsement for insurance players in Asia. It is held in high regard for its well-defined criteria and transparent judging process, and is audited by KPMG.

Sponsors this year include RGA, Peak Re, Aon, AIG, Tokio Marine, Toa Re, MSIG, Muang Thai, Swiss Re, Remark, QBE and Medix.

21st Asia Insurance Industry Awards 2017 Winners