KPMG names Erik Bleekrode as Head of Insurance for the Asia Pacific

Big Four firm KPMG has named Hong Kong-based company veteran Erik Bleekrode as its new Head of Insurance for the Asia Pacific.

A three decade veteran with the global professional services firm, Dutchman Erik Bleekrode has been named as KPMG’s new Head of Insurance for the Asia Pacific. Bleekrode will continue to be based out of Hong Kong, where he has since toward the end of last year been serving as Head of Insurance for KPMG in China, as well as heading up KPMG China’s Insurance Accounting Change practice. He is also a member of KPMG’s Global IFRS 17 Executive Team.

“Erik’s leadership will be valued beyond KPMG’s insurance community,” said the firm’s Regional Head of Financial Services for the Asia Pacific, Simon Gleave, who also serves with KPMG China as its financial services lead based out of Beijing. “He is well respected amongst our clients and staff not only for his technical excellence, but also for the curiosity, fun and passion he injects into the workplace. I’ve no doubt he will be a role model to many.”

Bleekrode first joined KPMG in the Netherlands in 1989, being made an Audit partner in the Financial Services practice of the Amsterdam-headquartered firm in 2006. As part of KPMG’s global connectivity network, Bleekrode later spent two years with the firm in Brazil prior to first relocating to Asia in 2014. Now, Bleekrode has been tasked with overseeing the Insurance segment for KPMG across the Asia Pacific, at a time of significant industry disruption.

KPMG cited the navigation of evolving consumer demands and outpacing digital upstarts as two of the complex challenges facing industry incumbents. “With all the innovation and growth that we are seeing in insurance across the region, I see in Erik a great successor who brings international experience and fresh energy, helping our clients, our people and our practice across the region become better versions of themselves,” said KPMG’s global practice head Laura Hay.

Bleekrode succeeds Simon Donowho, himself a thirty-year-plus KPMG veteran based out of Hong Kong, who will according to the firm leverage his extensive regional experience to spend more time advising clients. “Simon has done a fantastic job over almost a decade to bring our Asia Pacific insurance practice to where it is today,” said Hay, with Gleave adding; Simon has brought many years of excellent leadership, creating a strong foundation for Erik to build on.”

“This is a fantastic time to be taking over as head of this team,” Bleekrode enthused. “Insurance in the Asia Pacific has never been more exciting. “KPMG in Asia Pacific has an excellent team of technical specialists and visionary advisors in areas which have extended beyond the traditional and into the cutting edge of technology and customer behaviour. I am confident that with the breadth and depth of the team, we can help the sector navigate through the opportunities and challenges ahead.”