WTW Asia's Rhiannon Alban-Davies is named a Rising Star

WTW's Regional Head of Fine Art & Specie - Asia, Rhiannon Alban-Davies, is featured as one of Insurance Business Asia’s Rising Stars.

Insurance Business Asia’s Rising Stars celebrates emerging talents who have demonstrated excellence and innovation to overcome the challenges of 2021. Despite being disrupted by COVID-19, many of the Rising Stars drove their business operations to improve efficiencies and develop innovative ways of working.

Using advance technology to communicate

Insurance Business Asia explains that the young professionals highlighted the importance of strengthening connections at a time when social distancing was imperative. Their tasks included using advanced technologies to communicate with clients and staff, and in some cases introducing new operations or products to serve existing and emerging industries.

"One success story is how Rhiannon Alban-Davies, Regional Head of Fine Art & Specie for Asia at WTW, grew the company’s fine arts, jewellery and specie insurance division by 45% year-on-year over six years," states Insurance Business Asia.

Enabling growth and transformation

Rhiannon was commended for also enabling significant growth, as well as transforming WTW's profile in her segment of Asian fine arts.

“Although museums were closed, exhibitions were cancelled or rescheduled and the business of commercial organisations [weakened], Rhiannon and her team achieved another successful year by staying close to the Hong Kong art community virtually,” W TW told the publication.

“In 2020, Rhiannon expanded her client portfolio to private and individual collectors, as well as brought general specie and jewellery block clients on board. Under her leadership, the book has grown by over 40% in 2020 and remained one of the fastest growing in Hong Kong since 2016."

Rhiannon's work is “everything we look for in our young leaders," explained Adam Garrad, Head of Corporate Risk and Broking at WTW.

Extensive industry experience

Originally from London, Rhiannon has worked in the WTW Hong Kong office for over seven years. Initially focused on building and growing business for the large accounts book across Asia, she has shifted her focus to specialize in Fine Art, Jewelry and Specie insurance.

With Hong Kong being the main art market within Asia, Rhiannon has spent the majority of her time on tailoring and servicing policies for Galleries, Fine Art Dealers, Exhibitions, Museums, Private Collectors and Corporate Collectors, Fine Art Shippers and Auction Houses within Greater China and has worked closely with colleagues in WTW London to access the leading insurance markets.

She has worked with the Hong Kong Gallery Association to provide key risk management and insurance knowledge to the Hong Kong Art Industry and since March 2020, her role was expanded to have a broader regional focus. Rhiannon is now tasked with developing and growing the Fine Art & Specie across Asia.

Rhiannon's previous experience in the intelligence and security world has provided her with a deep understanding of the importance of precision analytics, industry knowledge, and strategic risk management. She has worked with a broad plethora of clients, from government authorities, to cultural associations, to Ultra High Network individuals.