Ping An Appoints US Citizen as Chief Innovation Officer

Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China Ltd. appointed Gregory D. Gibb as chief innovation officer, with responsibly for leading the group's effort to develop a new business model using innovative technology.

Gibb will also assume the position of chairman and chief executive officer at Ping An Marketing Services, a subsidiary of the group, to manage its cross-selling and comprehensive account businesses, said Ping An in a statement.

Gibb, a U.S. citizen, has 21 years of experience in the greater China region. Prior to joining Ping An, he was regional director at consultancy McKinsey, working in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei. From 2006 to February 2011, Gibb was the chief operation officer at Taiwan-based Taishin Financial Holdings, noted Ping An.

Ping An said Gibb's international and financial experience, particularly in cross-selling, will help the group develop its financial businesses.

The appointment of Gibb will also help the Chinese financial group "internationalize" its local staff, which Ping An noted will further help it reach international operation standards with rapid growth.

Shenzhen-based Ping An also said Yethun Goh will become the group's senior consultant. Goh was formerly the group's deputy general manager and chief marketing officer.

(By Rebecca Ng, Hong Kong news editor: Rebecca.Ng@ambest.com)