AIA strengthens Takaful, life planner biz with 2 key appointments

KUALA LUMPUR: AIA Bhd has strengthened its Takaful business and life planner distribution channel with two key appointments to its executive committee.

The insurer said on Wednesday it has appointed Elmie Aman Najas as the new chief executive officer of AIA Public Takaful Bhd with effect from Jan 15.

It also announced Kelvin Ang joined as AIA’s national chief agency officer with effect from Feb 1.

“Elmie will play a key role in driving AIA Public’s product development strategy to ensure alignment with the company’s multi-channel distribution approach,” it said. 

Elmie

It said AIA Public could leverage on AIA and Public Bank’s leadership positions and established infrastructure in the insurance and banking industries. Its family Takaful solutions are distributed via AIA’s 17,000-member life planner force and Public Bank’s over 259 branches.

As for Ang, he would be spearheading AIA’s premier agency strategy in Malaysia. His focus would be to recruit full-time life planners as the insurer seeks to create the largest and most productive Life Planner sales force in the country. 

Over the past two years, AIA’s recruitment agenda has focused on attracting young adults, including those from the Malay segment, to boost sales productivity and unlock the growth potential of family Takaful in Malaysia. 

Ang

AIA Bhd CEO Bill Lisle said with Elmie and Ang, the company’s vision was to become the best provider of insurance products and services so we address the protection needs of Malaysians at every stage in their lives. 

Elmie has nearly 20 years of experience in insurance. He was chief agency officer of AIA Bhd’s Central region where he amassed experience in distribution channel management and strategic planning as he helped to drive AIA’s business goals in the Takaful space through the company’s Life Planner force. 

Elmie joined AIA in 2011 when he was made head of operations & partnership for the former AIA-AFG Takaful Bhd (AATB). 

He was subsequently appointed head of channel management of AIA Public where he played a critical role in ensuring the successful integration of the two entities’ multi-channel distribution lines following the integration of AIA’s businesses in Malaysia in 2013. 

As for Ang, he has been with AIA Group for 17 years.  His most recent role was with AIA China where he served as the chief agency officer since 2013. 

AIA Bhd said Ang transformed the agency force by driving significant Value of New Business growth, a measure of future profitability, in the last two years. 

He has also served in various senior agency management and agency distribution roles in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam and within China.