Breaking the ice: Meet Charter Gilman Insurance Brokers Hong Kong

The UNIBA Partners’ network is constantly evolving; new Partners join, IDMs, and Senior Contacts change. Although we have the chance to see each other face-to-face, most of the time we are meeting behind our laptops. And in this online environment, you might have missed a new Partner joining or a contact change, right?  Through this article series, we will make sure that that doesn’t happen anymore! In ‘Breaking the Ice’ we will introduce new Partners, their specializations, and, perhaps even more importantly, the people behind them.

In this month’s edition, we are pleased to introduce our new partner in Hong Kong, Charter Gilman Insurance Brokers Limited. Joining us are Hei Wong, Director, and Solomon Ngan, Special Projects Director, who will serve as Charter Gilman’s  senior contact & IDM.

For those who have not had the chance to meet you just yet, can you please introduce yourself and your company?

Hei Wong: My name's Hei Wong, and I work for PSC Hong Kong. We operate three divisions here: Charter Union Insurance Brokers Limited, Trans-Pacific Insurance Brokers Limited, and Charter Gilman Insurance Brokers Limited. I have been in the insurance industry for over 40 years, beginning in underwriting before moving into insurance brokerage with a Hong Kong family-owned conglomerate. I was one of the founders of the Pan-Asian Alliance, which was later integrated into the BROKERSLINK network and PSC Hong Kong.

Over the past 12 years, PSC Hong Kong has grown from a single division to three units through local acquisitions. Charter Gilman focuses more on corporate and small & medium-sized clients, with specializations in certain lines of business such as marine and fine art insurance, whereas high-end medical insurance, education and construction are parts of the focuses of our Trans-Pacific Division. We have around 96 staff members in Hong Kong, allowing us to service the Greater Bay area in China and expand our reach in Southeast Asia through our regional partners.

Solomon Ngan: My name is Solomon Ngan, and I have over 3 decades of experience in general insurance industry. I have joined Charter Gilman Insurance  Brokers as Special Projects Director  since Feb 2023 after previously working with Nova Insurance Consultants and Aon, Hong Kong. Presently, I have also taken on the role of International Desk Officer for UNIBA, helping with coordination efforts. Hei and I go way back, having worked together in both Hong Kong and Macau with previous employers.

Why is “international” important to your company and clients?

Hei Wong: International business is a key aspect of PSC's strategy, and being part of UNIBA allows us to serve our clients with international needs better. Many of our Asian clients, particularly those from Hong Kong and China, are expanding their investments into Europe and North America. Likewise, we are seeing a lot of European and American businesses looking to tap into Asian markets for manufacturing and supply chain opportunities.

As a company, PSC is uniquely positioned to bridge these needs by leveraging our network in Australia, the UK, and Asia. Unlike large multinational firms, we have a more flexible, independent approach, which is appealing to clients who value local expertise combined with global reach.

Solomon Ngan: Joining UNIBA enhances our competitive edge. It allows us to offer services that are on par with those of the large, global brokers, giving us a better chance of winning clients. This network helps us stay competitive and expand our capabilities, which is essential in our market.

What are you hoping to get out of the UNIBA network in the coming years?

Hei Wong: In the short term, we’re looking for business referrals. In the long term, we hope to learn from the best practices of other members, particularly in new areas or markets we have not yet explored. We want to bring the latest global trends and practices to our clients in Hong Kong, especially in areas like property insurance, where Asian markets may be less developed.

Solomon Ngan: Through UNIBA we look forward to sharing experiences and expertise with other members. This knowledge exchange helps us elevate our professionalism, ultimately benefiting our clients.

How do you see your company contributing to the network?

Solomon Ngan: I bring nearly 20 years of experience in mainland China and the Greater Bay Area, which I am eager to share it with members with projects in this region. My knowledge of these markets could be valuable for partners needing quality client services in China.

Hei Wong: Apart from client servicing, we are also ready to help UNIBA expand into areas in Asia where we don’t yet have members. With our established local network and expertise in Asia, we can be key in coordinating clients and members across the region.

To conclude, what are you most looking forward to in the near future??

Hei Wong: From a professional standpoint, I am interested in meeting board members and other UNIBA members to learn more about the network. Understanding each member's strengths and market allows us to identify synergies and potential collaborations, which is essential in our business. Our 30+ years in Asia provide insights into regional culture and regulatory issues that I believe can benefit other UNIBA members. We are also keen to learn about new opportunities in Europe, Middle East, Latin America, or Africa, especially as more Asian clients are investing globally.