Hazel Etherington-Squires Head of Underwriting, Life & Health Hong Kong & Taiwan and Global High Net Worth

BA (Hons) Financial Services, ACII, DMU (AMS)

Hazel has nearly 40 years of experience in the financial services industry, spanning pensions, life, and health insurance across international markets.

Throughout her career, she has maintained a strong focus on underwriting and claims, including audit, best-practice development, and high-net-worth (HNW) solutions. She spent more than 20 years with Swiss Re, based in London, Zurich, and Hong Kong until 2010.

Following Swiss Re, Hazel joined Now Health International, a start-up insurer, where she helped launch a new high-end medical insurance proposition and establish operations in the UK, Dubai, and Hong Kong. She later contributed to the development of a new digital agency model and iPOS solution in Taiwan while working with the AIA Group Office, leveraging Magnum as part of the underwriting journey.

A significant part of Hazel’s career was spent at Transamerica Bermuda, where, as President and COO, she led a broad range of functions including underwriting, operations, distribution, and claims. She also played a pivotal role in building the company’s high-net-worth proposition and significantly scaling the business.

More recently, Hazel held a retail leadership position at Just Group in the UK, where she led a large operations and underwriting organisation and drove modernisation initiatives across data, automation, and process optimisation.

Now back at Swiss Re and based in Hong Kong, Hazel works closely with colleagues and clients across regions to further strengthen the company’s High Net Worth capabilities.

Outside of work, Hazel enjoys cooking and staying active through swimming and boxing. She has also become an avid football fan after successfully mastering Fantasy Football at the encouragement of her two sons. She is passionate about travel and enjoys exploring new destinations around the world.