Zurich Insurance Asia Pacific has appointed Theo Pitsikas as Head of SME APAC, a role focused on expanding the company’s reach and services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the region. He will officially take on the position starting June 16, 2025, relocating from Sydney to Singapore.
In his new role, Pitsikas will lead Zurich’s strategy to improve insurance coverage for SMEs—particularly in developing Southeast Asian markets, where protection is still limited. Currently, only about 15% of micro SMEs in the region are insured against natural disasters, highlighting a major protection gap.
To address this, Zurich plans to develop modular insurance products tailored to different SME needs, such as micro businesses and trade-focused companies. The goal is to offer more flexible coverage, improve underwriting strategies, and drive platform innovation by working closely with local business units to understand customer needs.
A key focus will be expanding Zurich’s presence in India, Malaysia, and Indonesia—three fast-growing markets. Pitsikas will also work to simplify the buying process for SMEs by improving digital tools and user experience, making it easier for small businesses to find and purchase suitable coverage.
He will report directly to Sean Walker, Zurich’s Head of Commercial Insurance & Chief Technical Officer for APAC, who praised Pitsikas’s track record in Australia.
“Theo has played a crucial role in building a strong SME platform in Australia,” said Walker. “SMEs are the backbone of economies across Asia Pacific, but they are under increasing pressure from risks like climate change, cyber threats, and supply chain disruptions.”
Walker added, “Theo’s appointment is a strategic move as we scale up support for SMEs and help them become more resilient in today’s complex risk environment.”
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