Zurich names Shukla to lead digital push in Asia Pacific

Zurich Insurance has appointed Digbijoy Joseph Shukla as Head of Digital, Asia Pacific, succeeding Roopa Malhotra, who has moved to a senior executive role in Zurich's Japan business.

Based in Singapore, Shukla will lead Zurich Edge, the insurer's regional digital and embedded insurance business, and oversee its customer and digital agenda across the Asia Pacific.

Since launching in Singapore in 2022, Zurich has expanded the platform across its Asia Pacific markets. Zurich Edge now works with more than 100 partners, including Cathay Pacific, Trip.com, Traveloka and GXS Bank.

The business focuses on embedded insurance, allowing cover to be offered within partner platforms during a customer's purchase journey. The platform also uses artificial intelligence in its operations and customer service processes.

Shukla brings more than 20 years of experience in entrepreneurship, technology and digital ecosystems across Asia. Most recently, he was Chief Executive Officer of Carsome subsidiaries iCar Asia and WapCar AutoFun, while also leading mergers and acquisitions and ecosystem strategy, including the launch and expansion of a software-as-a-service venture within the group.

Before joining Carsome, he spent nearly seven years at Amazon Web Services, where he rose to lead business development for the startup ecosystem across India and ASEAN.

The appointment marks a handover from Malhotra, who helped establish Zurich Edge and expand it across several markets in the region. She is now Chief Growth & Propositions Officer at Zurich Japan, where she has joined the Japan Executive Committee and will lead growth, innovation and cross-sales across property and casualty insurance and life insurance.

Regional role

Shukla's remit includes driving digital growth across Asia Pacific, working with platform and technology partners, and integrating insurance products into customer journeys on external platforms. The approach has become more common across financial services as insurers seek distribution through eCommerce, travel and banking apps.

Zurich Edge has become one of Zurich's main digital businesses in the region, growing into a multi-market operation under Malhotra's leadership.

Matt Reilly, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific, highlighted both the appointment and the scale of the business Shukla will now lead.

""Digi brings a truly unique combination of entrepreneurial drive, deep ecosystem expertise, and proven leadership at scale. This breadth of experience makes him the ideal leader to drive the next phase of our customer and digital strategy. Over the past four years, Zurich Edge has grown into a multi-market, multi-award-winning platform with over 100 partners, and with Digbijoy at the helm, we're set to accelerate that momentum even further," said Matt Reilly, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific, Zurich.

Digital push

Embedded insurance has become a competitive area for insurers in the Asia-Pacific region, where digital platforms provide access to large user bases across travel, retail, mobility, and financial services. Zurich's partner list suggests it has focused on travel and digital banking relationships while broadening its reach through regional technology partnerships.

Shukla said he sees scope to build on that base.

"I'm excited to have joined Zurich at such a pivotal moment for its digital ambitions in Asia Pacific. Having spent my career building and scaling digital businesses, ecosystems, and communities, I see tremendous potential in what Zurich Edge has already achieved. Scaling to over 100 partners across the region, while pioneering the use of AI in embedded insurance, is remarkable. I look forward to working with the team to take this to the next level and create even greater value for our customers and partners," said Shukla.

Zurich is one of the world's largest multi-line insurers, serving more than 82 million customers in more than 200 countries and territories. The group employs more than 65,000 people and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.

The latest management change in Asia Pacific signals Zurich's continued focus on digital distribution and partnerships as core parts of its regional strategy. Shukla now takes charge of that effort through a platform that already spans multiple markets and more than 100 partner relationships.