Our Data Director, Stanford Yeung, talks about his career so far, the role of data in EB and his priorities for the new Data team at MAXIS. Let’s get to know Stanford better.
1. Congratulations on your new role as Data Director in the new Data team! Can you tell us about the role and your priorities for the new team?
Thank you! I’m really excited to be taking on this new role as Data Director and to have the opportunity to build a brand-new team from the ground up.
Data is central to everything we do at MAXIS and providing high quality data to our clients is a key priority for the business. A key focus for me is strengthening our overall data capabilities, shifting from simply managing data to actively unlocking its value so that we can continue to meet the needs of our clients.
As a team, our mission is to support our colleagues from different teams around the business and ensure that our data is accessible, well-structured and actionable. Whether it’s for reporting, analytics, strategic planning or day-to-day decision-making, we’re here to provide the tools, infrastructure and expertise to bring clarity and insight. We build data solutions.
And of course, data compliance is a big topic for the new Data team, too. We’re developing stronger data governance and control processes to ensure our data remains secure, accurate and well-managed.
2. Why is data so important in the global EB industry?
In the world of global employee benefits, data is everything.
It helps us understand how benefits are used, what drives costs, how health trends evolve, and ultimately how to deliver smarter, more effective solutions for our clients and their people.
Much of what we deliver every day is data. Historically, that’s been through our Reporting function, but the expectations and complexity of our clients have evolved and we must continue evolving too if we want to meet their needs.
We’re now expanding beyond traditional reporting into broader, more advanced areas: better data integration, impactful dashboard design, stronger analytics, and clear, compelling visualisation and storytelling. Our aim is to deliver insights across underwriting data and medical trends and to explore predictive analytics. MAXIS is a leader in the EB industry, and our goal is not just keeping up with the industry – we want to shape its future.
3. You’ve been at MAXIS for nearly 8 years – can you tell us a bit about your time at MAXIS over the years? Have you got any highlights?
It’s been quite a journey – as you say it’s been eight years since I started working for MAXIS, but prior to that I actually worked at AXA Hong Kong, so have been part of the network for even longer!
I started at MAXIS as an Underwriter, which gave me a solid foundation in pricing, risk, and data. From there, I moved into the Portfolio Monitoring team as a Portfolio Manager, where I focused on reviewing and safeguarding profitability. A big part of that role was about digging into the numbers, spotting trends and recommending ways to improve performance.
What I really learnt from this experience is how much decision-making relies on good data and good judgement. It’s not just about building models: it’s about understanding what the data is really telling you.
Now, I’ve shifted from using data to helping others unlock its value. After working closely with MAXIS data for years, I’ve seen how it flows through the organisation and where we sometimes face challenges, too. I’m excited to redesign how we manage and structure our data, so we can work smarter and unlock as much potential as possible from our vast database.
In terms of personal highlights, it has to be the MAXIS MeetUp, where every two years the whole business gets together. We talk about strategy, complete teambuilding activities, and have a lot of fun. And it always falls around my birthday so it’s an incredible way to celebrate, with the whole MAXIS family around.
4. And is there anything coming up that you’re particularly looking forward to?
Yes, definitely. There are some projects I’m working on at the moment that will be a major step forward in how we present and deliver insights to our clients. It’s not just about giving them data – it’s about making that data easy to understand, meaningful, and actionable. In many ways, this will showcase what the new Data team is capable of – it’s an exciting chance to show how far we’ve come and the kind of impact we can have.
Looking further ahead, I’m also excited about how we can start to embed more automation and AI into how we work. The insurance industry has traditionally moved a bit slower than others when it comes to adopting emerging technologies – but that’s changing. I’d love to help MAXIS take real steps toward integrating smarter tools and workflows, to make our processes faster, more scalable and more forward-looking.
5. MAXIS is a very diverse organisation – how do all the different perspectives help when it comes to working together and finding creative solutions?
Diversity is one of MAXIS’ greatest strengths – and it’s a big driver of innovation and problem-solving. Our values – Accountability, Collaboration and Creativity – are not just words. They shape how we work together and challenge ourselves to think differently.
Our Data team is a great example. We’re small but diverse: we have a data engineer in India, a team member from a data science background, and I come from an actuarial and analytics background. We approach challenges from different angles and when we come together, it’s like combining unique ingredients to cook up creative and scalable solutions. We bring an innovative spirit to everything we do, from trying new tech, to experimenting with visualisation, to advancing how we model data in a traditionally conservative industry.
6. What’s your favourite way to spend a weekend?
On weekends, I really enjoy taking time to unwind and recharge. If possible, I love going on short trips or road trips – exploring new places helps me clear my mind and gain new perspective. I’m also a big fan of Japanese cuisine, so treating myself to a good sushi dinner is always a highlight!
If I’m staying local, I enjoy catching up with friends, reading, or playing a bit of table tennis. It’s a great way to stay active and competitive in a fun, relaxed way. Ultimately, it’s about finding balance and coming back to work feeling refreshed.
7. What’s your proudest accomplishment?
Professionally, one of my proudest achievements was building the reinsurance P&L model from scratch during my time in the FP&A team. It started as a complex Excel model, but I later developed a semi-automated workflow. It’s now a key process relied on by both FP&A and actuarial teams and we’re continuing to work collaboratively with the FP&A team to enhance it. I’m proud of how it’s evolved and the value it’s added over time.
Personally… well, I once made it to the Top 20 in Europe West Region in a strategy game called ‘Team Fight Tactics’. Think of it like chess, but with way more chaos, dragons and explosions. It’s a game that rewards strategy, pattern recognition and staying calm under pressure, which, come to think of it, is a lot like working in data.
8. Do you have a motto or mindset that you live by?
One mindset I really value is: “Start first, then improve.” In life you can spend weeks planning the perfect solution, but sometimes the best results come from starting messy, learning fast, and improving as you go.
I also believe in staying curious and adaptable. Technology and tools evolve quickly, and being open to change helps us stay ahead and continuously improve the way we work. That mindset has guided me through many challenges and keeps things exciting, too.