Inaugural Asia Pacific Captive Forum an ‘important milestone’

The inaugural Asia Pacific Captive Forum (APCF) 2026 concluded on 2 July in Singapore, bringing together captive owners, risk leaders, regulators and industry experts from across Asia Pacific to explore the evolving role of captive insurance in strengthening organisational resilience, governance and risk financing. Organised by the Singapore Captive Insurance Association (SCIA), the forum marked the launch of a regional platform for advancing captive insurance conversations.

Held at New Bahru’s School Hall, APCF 2026 welcomed more than 130 delegates from organisations across established and emerging captive domiciles, reflecting the growing momentum and interest in captive insurance throughout Asia Pacific.

The forum commenced with welcome and opening remarks by Kelvin Wu, president of the Singapore Captive Insurance Association (SCIA), who welcomed delegates and reaffirmed the forum's vision of fostering greater collaboration and advancing captive insurance conversations across Asia Pacific.

“The launch of the Asia Pacific Captive Forum marks an important milestone for our region. As captive insurance continues to evolve, there is tremendous value in creating a platform where captive owners, regulators and industry partners can exchange practical experiences, challenge conventional thinking and learn from one another. Our goal is for APCF to strengthen regional collaboration and support the continued growth and maturity of the captive ecosystem across Asia Pacific,” said Kelvin Wu, President of SCIA.

The opening was followed by a keynote address delivered by Lim Cheng Khai, Executive Director of the Financial Markets Development Department at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), who shared his perspectives on the evolving role of captives and the continued development of the insurance ecosystem in Singapore.

The day's programme began with “Use Case for a Captive in a Soft Market,” which explored how organisations can continue to derive long-term value from captives despite favourable insurance market conditions.

“ACEN still doesn't have a Captive Insurance but there is an intention to create one. Part of journey was to align expectations of what value a Captive can bring to the group. Once this was done, we are now handling the initiative like any other investment decision looking at all aspects of a Captive and hoping to present a strong business case to Management and the Board,” said Milo Alejo, Head of Risk and Insurance Management, ACEN.

This was followed by “Employee Benefits in a Captive,” where discussions centred on how employee benefits programmes can be integrated into captive structures to strengthen workforce resilience and create broader organisational value.

One of the forum's highlights was “Captives in Action: The Evolution of Glencore and the Role of the Captive,” which offered practical insights into how a mature captive programme has evolved alongside changing business priorities and an increasingly complex risk landscape.

“Drawing on the rich experience of Colin Chapple (Glencore) and Peter Carter (WTW), this session highlights how captives must continually adapt to evolving risks, business growth, and market cycles. Their insights underscore the importance of strategic agility, strong risk discipline, and proactive engagement to maximise long-term value for captive owners,” said Franck Baron, Chief Risk Officer, International SOS.

The afternoon sessions continued with “International Perspectives – Captives, Capital and the CFO Agenda,” examining the growing role of captives in capital management and strategic decision-making.

“Captives are increasingly moving beyond traditional risk-financing roles and becoming part of broader corporate governance and risk strategy. Their value is strongest when aligned with organisational strategy, risk appetite and treasury considerations, supported by clear decision-making, accountability and disciplined long-term risk-financing,” said Tibor Boettcher, CEO & Executive Director, Volkswagen Insurance Company.

Delegates also gained insights from “Governance, Risk and Compliance: Navigating the Uncertainty,” which addressed the evolving regulatory environment and governance considerations shaping captive operations across the region.

“By collaborating across borders, we cultivate a captive management ecosystem tailored to the unique risk profiles of Asian corporates. Deepening this regional partnership ensures bespoke risk financing solutions, empowering enterprises to navigate global economic shifts and drive sustainable growth,” said Gloria Chan, Head of Market Development & External Promotion, Hong Kong Insurance Authority

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