Toshiaki Egashira: Making It Work

Toshiaki Egashira is the president and CEO of MS&AD Insurance Holding, Inc. It is a holding company formed in April 2008 (name changed in April 2010) through the merger of Aioi Insurance Co., Ltd, Nissay Dowa General Insurance Co., Ltd, and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group. The Group writes marine, fire, casualty, automobile, life and allied insurance policies. It also runs financial services and agencies.

MS&AD holds the largest share of non-life insurance premiums in Japan; it is also among the top 10 in the world.

To make this huge company work involves a lot of leadership skills since each of the three companies that were merged obviously have their own way of doing things. Egashira though has been in the insurance business all his life and possesses the experience and qualifications to make it work.

Egashira was born in Japan in 1948 and graduated with a degree in law from Keio University. He entered Taisho Marine and Fire Insurance, Co. Ltd. in April 1972. After rising through the ranks he became executive officer, general manager of Fire & Casualty Underwriting Dept., Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd (MSI) in October 2001. After holding key executive positions he became co-chief executive officer of MSI in April 2006. Then in June 2006 Egashira became president, director and co-chief executive officer of MSI. In September 2006 he became president and chief executive officer of MSI. There were many changes in his title within a course of a year clearly illustrating his importance to the company.

After the merger in 2008 Egashira became the president and a director.  He solidified his position in April 2009 becoming president, director and CEO. The following year Egashira also became chairman of the board.

Egashira sees global expansion through organic growth and mergers and acquisitions as critical to the company’s future given the aging population of Japan. With his solid insurance experience he looks to be the leader who can get this huge task done.