SingaporeMay 15, 2025

Zurich Insurance Appoints Asia Pacific Head of SME

Zurich Insurance Asia Pacific today announced the appointment of Theo Pitsikas as Head of SME APAC, reporting to Sean Walker, Head of Commercial Insurance & Chief Technical Officer, APAC.
 
Currently serving as Head of SME for Zurich Financial Services Australia, Pitsikas, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in growing Zurich’s SME portfolio across both Australia and New Zealand over the past eight years.
 
In his new regional role, Theo will lead efforts across Zurich’s Asia Pacific markets to strengthen the group’s presence within the Small to Medium Size Enterprise (SME) segment. Given the relatively low penetration in developing markets for SME in Southeast Asia, with only 15% of all Micro SMEs1 insured against natural disasters, Theo will be supporting Zurich’s Asian markets to build compelling SME propositions that help close the protection gap and provide greater resilience to this critical business segment. 
 
This will include shaping modular propositions focused on segments with unique needs such as Micro SME and Trades, enhancing portfolio underwriting, and advancing platform innovation by working with business units to understand market & channel dynamics coupled with user requirements. A major area of focus will be expanding Zurich’s SME footprint in the high-growth markets of India, Malaysia and Indonesia, as well as improving ease of selection and purchase using digital channels by working closely with in-country teams.
 
Sean Walker, Head of Commercial Insurance & Chief Technical Officer, APAC said: “Theo has been pivotal in growing our SME portfolio in Australia, where we have established a highly successful platform and SME proposition.
 
“SMEs are the backbone of Asia Pacific’s economies. However, they face mounting challenges in an increasingly complex risk environment – where climate volatility and economic uncertainty are compounded by fast-growing risks such as cyber threats and supply chain disruptions. Theo’s appointment is a strategic step forward as we accelerate plans to scale our support to this vital sector.”

Pitsikas’ appointment is effective from 16 June 2025 and he will relocate from Sydney to Singapore for his new role.

 

For further information, please contact:

Ben Evetts
Head of Communications & Marketing, Zurich APAC
ben.evetts@zurich.com.sg

[1] Source: Marsh: Asia Small Businesses: Data shows rising Property Damage and Business Interruption losses, what should businesses do?

Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading global multi-line insurer founded more than 150 years ago, which has grown into a business serving more than 75 million customers in more than 200 countries and territories, while delivering industry-leading total shareholder returns.

Reflecting its purpose to ‘create a brighter future together,’ Zurich offers protection services that go beyond traditional insurance, to support its customers in building resilience. Since 2020, the Zurich Forest project supports reforestation and biodiversity restoration in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.

The Group has more than 63,000 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information is available at www.zurich.com