To kick off the new year, we sat down with our Regional Director – Asia-Pacific (APAC), Nannecy Dulin. Based in Hong Kong, Nannecy has a wealth of experience in the EB industry, having previously worked for both a local insurer and a global broker. Let’s find out more about her, including some of her surprising (and very exciting) hobbies!
My first few months at MAXIS have been all about getting to know my colleagues. I was lucky to know several people from the team before joining MAXIS, which really helped. I also couldn’t have wished for more than getting the opportunity to meet so many of my colleagues from around the world at the MAXIS MeetUp in Lake Maggiore, Italy in September – considering it only happens once every two years, it was fantastic that it happened just after I joined.
Overall, it’s been a very busy few months - I’ve had visits across the region with our CEO, Mattieu Rouot. A real highlight was my trip to India. I’m working very closely with the APAC team and they’re amazing, which makes for a strong foundation.
I’m most excited about shaping our APAC business in my new role. There's a lot that can be built on in APAC and I'm very excited to lead on this. In terms of priorities for 2026, we’re looking to continue strengthening our partnerships with our members in the region and work even more closely with them.
The willingness to share knowledge across all departments is one of MAXIS’ biggest strengths. I've not seen any silos and there’s a really open culture with help on hand for anybody who has a question. I think this is a great thing and was a very important aspect for me as a new starter.
I’d call my leadership style a collaborative one. I’ve been a leader in the global employee benefits industry for 15 years now. I try to listen as much as possible, put people first and get a sense of what their thoughts or views are, and take this into how we drive the business forward. I think that having a growth mindset is very important, as well as a positive attitude to business. Trust is the foundation of how I work with my team and colleagues, as well as our brokers and members – it’s definitely the cornerstone of how I approach both leadership and business development.
My new role feels like coming full circle. I used to be the MAXIS Officer for AXA Hong Kong. This gave me a deeper understanding of the MAXIS business, which has been very helpful for my new role! I also have experience on the other side of the of the coin as a broker which allows me to understand what other players in the industry are doing, as well putting me in touch with clients’ perspectives and what they really want and need. That's why I feel like my new role is like coming full circle – all my experiences have contributed to my position now and will help me to succeed.
Across APAC, all the markets are very different. I’ve worked in the region for the last 15 years. There’s been a big rise in digital insurers in the last few years, but they are mainly focusing on individuals at the moment. I don't know if there might be more interest in a move into the EB market in the future, as these brands – and their presence in the market – grow.
There’s also a huge focus on tech and digital from people of all ages. Older generations are also eager to own the latest phones and are often guided in their use by younger family members. Tech is fully integrated in daily life from taking public transport to grocery shopping. This trend for tech is reflected in benefits - AI is already embedded in insurance and in the health and wellness landscape, and there are lots of AI wellness tools out there.
My favourite way to spend the weekend is on a boat. One of my biggest hobbies is sailing, which I started five years ago. I love to spend my time off competing in races. I do this with a crew, which I may lead or not depending on what the situation is and how I’m feeling! That’s really where I get into a different headspace entirely, and it’s my ideal way to spend my free time.
I'm also a very big fan of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. I have a diploma in acupuncture and my husband is my guinea pig! It’s worked many times and has helped to solve issues like insomnia. I think that it’s mind-blowing.