Insurtech firm OneDegree Group has made two key appointments on January 1, 2024, highlighting the group’s ambitions following its successful Series B funding which closed in 2023.

OneDegree Group said in a statement on Monday that Michelle Ip has been appointed Chief Executive officer of OneDegree Global, the group’s technology arm.

Meanwhile, Robin Scott has been named General Manager of OneDegree Middle East, the newly established division facilitating the group’s strategic expansion into the Middle East market.

According to the statement, Michelle and Robin will join the other senior leaders in leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform insurance, with a global focus.

Michelle has taken leadership of OneDegree Global, with responsibility for both the IXT modern insurance core solutions and Cymetrics cybersecurity services.

Incorporated in Singapore, OneDegree Global offers innovative and AI-powered solutions to insurers and enterprises around the globe.

“Michelle’s dedication, strategic approach, and unwavering commitment to our mission have been pivotal. Her deep understanding of our technology business and culture uniquely positions her to lead us into a future of success,

“As we take on ambitious 2024 targets, we’re not just aiming to meet them – we’re gearing up to surpass them under Michelle’s leadership,” said Alex Leung, Co-Founder of OneDegree Group.

According to the statement, Michelle has more than a decade of experience in insurance and insurtech start-ups, including greenfield market entry, oversight and business development across multiple countries in ASEAN like Cambodia and Myanmar, and East Asia.

She helped Manulife set up the first insurance company in Cambodia in 2012 and was previously the founding member of iFWD of FWD Hong Kong.

In 2018, Michelle founded her fintech start-up, Sugar AI which was later integrated into bolttech.

Michelle joined OneDegree in 2022 and was the Chief Commercial Officer, helping IXT to expand its footprint to South Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia.

Michelle completed her Master’s degree in International Relations at the London School of Economics.

As part of its global expansion plan, OneDegree Group has also recently established OneDegree Middle East and appointed Robin as the General Manager.

Since entering the market in 2023, the group has already inked a key strategic partnership with Dubai Insurance to offer digital asset insurance in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), received an investment from Dubai Insurance, and forged strong relationships across the six-country strong Gulf Cooperation Council.

Robin will build on this success with a team on the ground capturing the opportunities from the Middle East and Hong Kong corridor for economic cooperation and fintech development.

“Robin is the ideal candidate to lead our expansion to the Middle East,

“He has a successful track-record executing ground-breaking projects, such as the group’s venture debt financing transaction with HSBC and partnership with Dubai Insurance, and a deep knowledge of the group’s solutions and strategy,” said Alvin Kwock, Co-Founder of OneDegree Group.

“Many markets in the Middle East are showing incredible dynamism and opportunity, leveraging their favorable demographics and open policies for foreign investment and global talent,

“Robin will play a pivotal role in driving growth in the Middle East and delivering exceptional value to our clients,” he added.

According to the statement, Robin joined OneDegree full-time in 2021 as General Counsel, a role he will continue to hold in addition to his Middle East portfolio.

Prior to OneDegree, Robin worked at a leading Southeast Asian conglomerate in legal and transformation roles.

He began his career as a lawyer, working in the London, New York and Hong Kong offices of Freshfields.

He holds an Master degree from the University of Cambridge.

OneDegree Group was a insurtech firm established in 2016. The group operates several businesses in Asia and globally.

With OneDegree HK, a direct-to-consumer virtual insurer licensed by the Hong Kong Insurance Authority, the firm offers category products in pet, fire, home and medical insurance.

With OneDegree Global, a technology company incorporated in Singapore, the firm develops insurance core system IXT and cybersecurity solutions Cymetrics, to serve insurers and intermediaries globally.

In the digital asset space, OneInfinity provides insurance solutions for Web3 wallet theft, cybersecurity hacks, fraud, third-party crime, and corporate liability.

In June 2023, OneDegree Group announced the successful completion of a $55 million Series B round.

HashKey Exchange insured by OneInfinity by OneDegree for digital wallet coverage