The insurance industry across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia is evolving at an unprecedented pace. The winners of the Insurance Business’ Rising Stars 2025 demonstrate this transformation. They did not wait for experience to develop; instead, they earned recognition by delivering measurable outcomes in an environment marked by regulatory changes, compliance pressures, artificial intelligence advancements, and client expectations for faster service. These young professionals were not merely keeping pace—they were defining new standards for the sector.
This year’s group entered an industry undergoing significant change. Digital transformation, AI integration, and stronger emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles alongside customer experience are fundamentally altering business operations. The selected candidates demonstrated rapid adaptation, merging technical proficiency with digital capabilities. Jean-Pierre Hung, managing director of LMA Recruitment, observes that today’s top performers combine regulatory knowledge with flexibility. He states that the demand for professionals who combine technical expertise with regulatory insight and digital agility continues to rise.
Katherine Wilson, CEO of the Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand, reinforces this perspective. According to her, the most promising young brokers integrate technical skills with emotional intelligence. They engage deeply with clients, customize coverage to individual requirements, and function as genuine advocates. She explains that the best insurance brokers really understand their clients and their unique circumstances and then work with insurance providers to tailor covers to match.
The 2025 Rising Stars were selected from hundreds of submissions, with all nominees under 35 as of October 2025. The evaluation prioritized achievements, leadership influence, and their ability to address shifting industry demands. Current success criteria now emphasize hard work and emotional intelligence above all else, followed by industry knowledge. Traditional benchmarks—such as years of service or formal leadership training—hold less weight.
Faster careers demand broader skills
Hung identifies a fundamental shift in professional expectations. He notes that junior roles used to be more defined and task-based; you would spend years building expertise before stepping into leadership. Today, expectations are broader, and progression is faster. He adds that the top young insurance professionals in the APAC region are now leading cross-functional projects, managing vendors and taking on ESG or digital transformation work much earlier in their careers. He says that adaptability, communication and commercial acumen now carry as much weight as technical skills.
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Market growth driven by demographics and risk
The Asia-Pacific life and non-life market is valued at about US$2 trillion in 2025 and is projected to reach US$2.59 trillion by 2030 at a 5.26% CAGR. Drivers include demographic shifts, regulatory liberalisation and rapid digital adoption. Rising middle-class incomes in India, Indonesia and Vietnam are pushing first-time health and savings policies that renew over time. Climate-related loss events are forcing carriers to recalibrate risk and launch parametric covers that pay quickly. Health and medical non-life are expanding at a 7.89% CAGR as medical costs continue to climb.
Partnerships key as direct sales lag
Distribution and customer experience Intermediated channels still dominate. Agencies, financial advisors, bancassurance and brokers account for over 90% of sales in most markets, according to APAC Insurance Market Trends To Watch For Growth In 2025. Direct-to-consumer remains slower than expected. The opportunity is to tighten partnerships with existing channels and rebuild journeys that feel modern end-to-end.
Demographics and retirement pressure APAC is entering an “Age of Aging”. By 2035, the median age will sit around 45–50 in China, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong and 30–35 across much of Southeast Asia. Around 80% of people expect a retirement funding gap and to outlive savings by about 10 years, which pushes demand for protection and long-term savings solutions. APAC leads in generative AI adoption, as 54% of insurers had gen-AI in production last year, ahead of Europe at 42% and North America at 28%. The proof-of-concept era is over. Scaling real use cases is the next hurdle. Open-API rules, digital ID programs and smartphone penetration are lowering onboarding costs and opening new micro-segments.
Hong Kong expects steady hiring with 3–4% salary increases for existing staff and up to 15% for job changers. Employers plan to expand sales and BD (34%), technology (22%) and digital transformation and AI (16%) roles, but 62% cite a skills shortage. Compliance expertise is in demand as Insurance Authority rules tighten, and transformation talent is needed in claims, underwriting automation and data. Philippines snapshot: employment in insurance reached 24,383 people, 1,830 establishments operate in the sector, and insurers generated US$8.14 billion in revenue in 2022.
