US-headquartered The Hartford has announced the establishment of a new service company in Singapore, broadening its reach in Asia through Lloyd’s Syndicate 1221.
The Hartford provides property and casualty insurance, group benefits, and mutual funds. Headquartered in Hartford, Connecticut, the company has a history spanning over two centuries and operates internationally under the ticker symbol HIG on the New York Stock Exchange.
The expansion highlights The Hartford’s continued investment in the Asia market and its efforts to leverage the Lloyd’s platform to offer comprehensive risk solutions tailored to regional needs.
The move aims to enhance The Hartford’s ability to support brokers and clients in one of the region’s leading commercial wholesale markets.
The new operation will be headed by Zhenghong Pan, a seasoned underwriter with significant experience in financial lines.
Carl Bach, head of International and CEO of Hartford Underwriting Agency Limited, which manages Syndicate 1221, said the new presence in Singapore extends The Hartford’s global footprint and strengthens its ability to assist customers and brokers operating across Asia.
“Our customers and brokers in Asia will have access to our growing team of specialised underwriters and claims personnel who possess a deep technical knowledge of the unique and complex risks placed in Singapore,” he said.
He added that the company would deploy underwriters and claims specialists with technical expertise to address complex risks placed in the Singapore market.
The Hartford has operated in Asia for over a decade through its service companies in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
The Singapore office will initially focus on underwriting financial lines as well as credit and political risks. Plans are underway to diversify product offerings over time to address the needs of a wider range of industries.
Emma Loynes, CEO of Lloyd’s Asia, described the move as a milestone for The Hartford and the Lloyd’s Asia platform. She noted that expanding underwriting capabilities in Singapore improves market accessibility and strengthens support for clients across the region.
“We’re delighted to play our part in what is both an incredibly important milestone for The Hartford and the Lloyd’s Asia platform. Expansion of underwriting capabilities further bolsters the capacity, expertise, and talent in Singapore, improving market access and ultimately providing a better service to our customers,” she said.
Zhenghong Pan, who joined The Hartford in late 2024, brings extensive experience from AXA XL in Singapore, where he led a financial lines team and developed strategic market relationships.
Speaking about his new role, Pan said leading the operations in Singapore is an opportunity to deepen the company’s engagement in Asia while delivering services such as economic and geopolitical research to clients and brokers.
“It’s an honour to lead The Hartford Singapore and further expand the company’s international reach,” he said. “We aim to create an extraordinary experience for our brokers and customers, allowing them access to invaluable services such as our economic and geopolitical research team.”
