Aniz Sirajudin, regional IPMI leader for the Asia Centre of Excellence at Mercer Marsh Benefits, based in Singapore speaks to Health & Protection about his time in the military, building teams, being married to his mentor, always giving his best and how its all about Survivor and the Eye of the Tiger.
How long have you been in the international health advice industry and why did you start working in it?
I’ve been in the health business for 20 years – IPMI since 2018.
I got in by accident and I was just exploring. I was considering joining the military and decided not to and took a leap into the health and benefits space.
But I did continue to serve the Singapore military for 16 years in a voluntary capacity.
How long have you been with your present firm and which markets does your company do business in?
I’ve been with Marsh & McLennan since 2016.
Marsh & McLennan is a professional services firm that provides advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy, and people. The company operates through four main business segments:
- Marsh: provides insurance broking and risk management consulting services to businesses and organisations around the world.
- Guy Carpenter: provides reinsurance and risk management solutions to insurance companies and other clients in the global insurance industry.
- Mercer: provides consulting and outsourcing services related to human resources, including health and benefits, retirement, and talent management.
- Oliver Wyman: provides management consulting services to clients in a variety of industries, including financial services, healthcare, and transportation.
Overall, Marsh & McLennan helps clients manage risk, optimise their operations, and make strategic decisions to achieve their business goals.
The company has global presence and employs more than 75,000 people worldwide and has presence in more than 130 countries.
What is the biggest factor affecting the international health and benefits space for you and your firm?
The increasing cost of healthcare.
Healthcare costs have been rising globally, and this trend is expected to continue. This has led to a growing demand for cost-effective healthcare solutions, including health insurance and employee benefits programs.
Another factor is the changing regulatory environment. Governments around the world are implementing new regulations and policies related to healthcare and employee benefits, which can have a significant impact on businesses operating in the international health and benefits space.
Keeping up with these changes and ensuring compliance can be a challenge for many firms.
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of health and wellness, and has led to increased demand for telemedicine, mental health services, and other healthcare solutions.
It has also led to changes in the way businesses operate, with many companies adopting remote work policies and other measures to protect their employees’ health and safety.
Where do you see the future of IPMI in Asia?
The future of International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) in Asia looks promising, as the demand for high-quality healthcare services continues to grow in the region.
There are several factors that are likely to drive the growth of IPMI in Asia in the coming years:
- Rising income: More people will be able to afford private healthcare services including IPMI
- Aging population: increased demand for healthcare services
- Medical tourism: Singapore and Thailand becoming increasingly popular for medical tourism, with many people traveling to the region for medical treatment.
- Increasing Awareness: As more people are aware of the benefits of private healthcare services, including IPMI, demand for these services is likely to increase.
Who has been your most important mentor throughout your career?
My wife. Although she is not too familiar with my day-to-day business, I go to her for the little motivations and uplift that I need when I’m feeling down or stressed in terms of decision making.
She gives me the one or two pieces of advice that I would not have thought about.
What advice would you give people thinking about working in the international health and benefits sector?
- Develop a strong understanding of the healthcare industry
- Stay up to date on industry trends and developments
- Consider pursuing relevant education and certifications
What has been your greatest success at work?
I was able to hire some wonderful talents and build a quality team of professionals over the years.
What are your top three priorities for the next year?
- Improve customer experience by leveraging on data analytics and investing in customer service support.
- Work with IPMI providers to focus on cost containment strategies to reduce unexpected cost increases.
- Stay healthy and spend quality time with the family
What is one personal skill that most people do not know about?
My charismatic ability
What mantra do you live by?
Give my best and leave the rest. Winning takes care of itself.
If you could work in any location in the world, what would it be?
Middle East – too much happening around there now!
What song would you regard as your theme tune?
Eye of the Tiger – Survivor