Swiss Re on Wednesday announced the appointment of Tamas Bown as head of its Life and Health Reinsurance business in Asia Pacific, excluding China, effective 1 April 2026, pending regulatory approval.
Bown has worked at Swiss Re for 20 years and will relocate to Singapore for the new role.
During his time at the global reinsurer, he has held roles in Asia, including leading the L&H Client Markets in Japan and chairing the Asia L&H Origination Committee. In 2023, he became head of Swiss Re’s UK & Ireland Market Unit, and in 2024, his remit grew to include the Middle East and Africa.
“Asia Pacific is a dynamic and complex region at the forefront of the longevity and retirement challenge, and insurance is playing an increasingly important role in providing financial and health resilience for Asian societies,” Paul Murray, CEO of L&H Re at Swiss Re, said. “Tamas Bown’s 20-year connection to Swiss Re’s L&H business, and his deep knowledge of Asia’s insurance markets make him the ideal internal appointment to service our clients in the APAC region.”
Bown’s appointment comes after Swiss Re last week announced record group net income of US$4.8bn for 2025, up 47% from 2024, driven by strong performance in Property & Casualty Reinsurance and improved underwriting margins.
A targeted review of its Life & Health Reinsurance (L&H Re) portfolio, centred on underperforming business in Australia, Israel, and South Korea, weighed on 2025 earnings. However, the reinsurer said that, with actions now complete, the business is positioned for improved profitability, underpinning a raised, global L&H Re net income target of US$1.7bn for 2026.
“We completed the assumption review in our life and health reinsurance business, considerably strengthening our assumptions on underperforming portfolios,” Group Chief Executive Officer Andreas Berger said at a media conference. “This assumption strengthening puts Life & Health Re on a very strong footing now, with clearer visibility on earnings delivery in the future.”
