Karen Tan

Karen Tan is Chief Underwriting Officer for Swiss Re’s Life & Health Reinsurance business and a member of the Life & Health Reinsurance Executive Committee.

Karen has extensive experience across underwriting, actuarial and risk management roles in the life and health insurance and reinsurance industry. Prior to becoming Chief Underwriting Officer in October 2026, she was Chief Risk Officer Life & Health Re, with responsibility for end-to-end risk management of Swiss Re’s global L&H business, as well as risk management responsibilities for defined legal entities in the Group. 

Before moving into global risk management, Karen was Head Life & Health Products Asia, with regional responsibility for Swiss Re’s L&H reinsurance business across Asia Pacific, including the costing and underwriting of new business. 

Karen joined Swiss Re in 2014 as Chief Risk Officer for Asia Pacific. In 2018, her responsibilities expanded to include risk management of Swiss Re’s Life & Health Reinsurance business globally. 

Prior to joining Swiss Re, Karen was Chief Actuary of Zurich Life Insurance Company in Switzerland, overseeing the Swiss domestic business, International Group business and branches in Asia and the Middle East. Before that, she led Zurich Insurance Group’s Global Life Risk Analysis department, with responsibility for risk and capital management models and approaches for its Life businesses globally. 

Karen is a Fellow of the UK Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and holds a Master of Business from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. She completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2018. Karen is a recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal and a member of the Nanyang Business School Alumni Board.