Aviva Singlife Appoints Former DBS Senior Figure

Editorial Staff

26 May 2021

, the group formed from the S$3.2 billion ($2.41 billion) merge of Aviva and Singapore Life, said yesterday that it has appointed former DBS senior figure Pearlyn Phau as the new group chief executive.

Subject to regulatory approval, Phau’s CEO appointment will be effective on 18 August. Also subject to regulatory approval, she will take on additional roles as executive director and CEO of the group’s two Singapore licensed insurers, Singlife and Aviva Singapore. The scheme of transfer, which will combine the two entities, has been approved by the MAS. It is now subject to the approval of Singapore courts and is expected to complete later this year, the group said in a statement.

When Phau takes up her role, Nishit Majmudar will step down from his executive and board roles to become a senior advisor to the board. Walter de Oude, who has acted as group CEO prior to Phau’s appointment, will continue on the board as deputy chairman, Aviva Singlife Holdings.

Phau has undertaken various senior leadership roles within DBS Group, both in Singapore and Hong Kong. She is the group head of consumer products, marketing and ecosystem partnerships. Prior to this, she was the deputy group head of consumer banking and wealth management. Phau has also spent four years in Hong Kong as the head of consumer banking and wealth management, DBS Bank Hong Kong.