Sushant Palakurthi Rao

Oversee group global affairs and partnership development within industry as well as with governments, international organizations, academia and civil society. Works closely with the group leadership and management teams to strengthen long-term competitive advantage and opportunity identification. Lead and advise on government and corporate affairs as well as stakeholder engagement in line with strategic priorities.

Responsible for developing and leading strategic partnership initiatives, building and maintaining relationships and alliances with potential and current business partners with particular focus on venture capital firms, incubators, accelerators and start-ups. Also, identify and develop mutually beneficial relationships with international organizations, governments and public institutions. Provide thought leadership and strategic insight.

Identify, evaluate and facilitate the implementation of future trends in the context of digitalization, tech-enabled industries, emerging product categories. Analyse and evaluate start-ups, in particular as related to the fintech and insuretech sector. Manage global partnerships with international organizations and multilateral development banks, particularly in areas related to protection gap, social safety net and insuresilience.

Design, lead and set the vision and strategy for engagement and partnerships with external stakeholders from industry, governments, institutions and civil society as well as overall responsibility for all activities across the Asia Pacific region. Develop personal relationships with with C-suite executives, ministers and other key policy makers through customised value propositions and regular interactions. Drive thought leadership and develop “networked intelligence” on key megatrends.

International Relations, Law and Organizations