Descartes strengthens APAC parametric team, Qin to Head APAC, Seow acting Head SE Asia

Descartes Underwriting, a specialist underwriter of parametric risk transfer opportunities, has strengthened its Asia Pacific leadership team, promoting Ben Qin to Head of Asia Pacific and WeeBeng Seow to acting Head of Southeast Asia.

Ben Qin was most recently Descartes’ Head of North Asia and Australia.

Qin had led the set-up of the Descartes Sydney office four years ago, then helped launch the business in Hong Kong and Tokyo two years later.

Before he joined Descartes, Qin worked at Marsh for more than eight years, leading the broker’s Alternative Risk Transfer function for Asia Pacific in his final four years at the company.

The company said this senior APAC appointment “enhances Descartes’ ability to unlock cross-market synergies and deliver tailored risk solutions.”

“Asia Pacific is one of the most exposed regions globally to natural hazard risks—including cyclones, typhoons, earthquakes, floods and droughts—further highlighting the importance of Descartes’ commitment to helping clients manage complex, climate-related risks with precision and resilience,” Qin commented.

Qin will oversee Descartes operations across all Asia Pacific markets.

Sébastien Piguet, Co-founder and Chief Insurance Officer of Descartes Underwriting, added, “Ben has been pivotal in Descartes’ expansion in APAC since he joined the company. I am therefore delighted to work with him and the entire APAC team to further grow our relationship with brokers and clients in the region.”

In addition, Descartes has made WeeBeng Seow its new acting Head of Southeast Asia.

Previously a Business Development Director at the parametric risk transfer specialist for three years in Singapore, Seow will now take responsibility for the important Southeast Asia market for Descartes.

“It is an exciting time to step into this role as we continue to grow our presence across Southeast Asia, and I look forward to working closely with our broker partners to deliver innovative parametric solutions that truly respond to the region’s evolving risk landscape,” Seow said.