Vice President, Head of Distribution – International Markets

About FWD Group FWD Group (1828.HK) is a pan-Asian life and health insurance business that serves approximately 40 million customers across 10 markets, including BRI Life in Indonesia. FWD’s customer-led and tech-enabled approach aims to deliver innovative propositions, easy-to-understand products and a simpler insurance experience. Established in 2013, the company operates in some of the fastest-growing insurance markets in the world with a vision of changing the way people feel about insurance. FWD Group is listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code 1828. For more information, please visit www.fwd.com PURPOSE The VP, Head of Distribution – International Markets is accountable for building and leading FWD Global HNW's distribution franchise across Singapore and international markets outside North Asia. The role owns the commercial plan, strategic partner agenda and distribution team required to deliver sustainable APE and VNB growth through international brokers, family offices and external asset managers. Reporting to the Chief Officer, FWD Global HNW, the role works closely with the VP, HNW Distribution - North Asia and partners across Product, Underwriting, New Business, Operations, Actuarial, Finance, Legal and Compliance to establish FWD as a preferred first-tier HNW carrier partner across the region. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Commercial Strategy & Performance • Formulate and execute the HNW distribution strategy and business plan for Singapore and ROW markets, with clear priorities by market, channel and partner. • Own delivery of APE and VNB targets, pipeline conversion and margin outcomes across the assigned region. • Monitor market, competitor and partner trends and translate insights into product, proposition and distribution actions. Partnership Development • Build and deepen senior relationships with private banks, commercial banks, international brokers, family offices and external asset managers. • Lead partner segmentation, engagement planning and joint business development to expand production and strengthen FWD positioning. • Drive insurer onboarding, credit and product approval processes with priority banking and broker partners. Distribution Leadership & Enablement • Build, lead and develop a high-performing HNW distribution team across Singapore and ROW markets. • Set clear account ownership, activity standards and performance expectations, supported by disciplined pipeline and management reporting. • Identify partner and sales-support requirements and secure the internal resources, training, content and case support needed to deliver results. Cross-Functional Execution • Partner with Underwriting, Product, New Business, Case Management and Operations to improve case conversion, turnaround times and broker experience. • Build effective connectivity across Singapore, ROW hubs and the Global HNW centre of excellence to remove friction and capture scale benefits. • Provide market input into product development, underwriting appetite and service propositions to ensure competitiveness and relevance. Governance, Risk & Conduct • Ensure distribution activities comply with local laws, regulations, delegated authorities and FWD Group policies. • Maintain disciplined sales governance, partner due diligence, documentation and escalation across all assigned markets. • Promote appropriate conduct, customer outcomes and a strong risk culture throughout the distribution team. Leadership & Stakeholder Management • Work closely with the VP, HNW Distribution - North Asia to deliver a coordinated global partner strategy and aggregate APE and VNB objectives. • Engage senior partner executives, local business-unit leaders and Group functions to resolve issues and unlock commercial opportunities. • Develop succession and talent plans, including the identification and grooming of high-potential team members. EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE • Minimum 10 years of HNW life insurance, wealth management or private-banking experience, including at least five years in distribution leadership. • Demonstrated record of delivering growth through private banks, commercial banks, international brokers, family offices or external asset managers. • Strong knowledge of HNW insurance products, market dynamics and distribution models across Singapore and international markets. • Good understanding of complex case structuring, trusts and policy ownership, premium financing, underwriting and end-to-end case management. • University degree in business or a related discipline; relevant professional qualifications are an advantage. SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES • Strategic and commercial leader with strong ownership of APE, VNB, margin and partnership outcomes. • Excellent relationship-building, communication, presentation and negotiation skills, with credibility at senior executive level. • Strong people leader able to build, motivate and develop a geographically distributed team. • Collaborative and pragmatic, with the ability to mobilise cross-functional teams and convert strategy into execution. • Fluent written and spoken English; additional Asian or international-market language capability is an advantage.