An actuary abroad: The stopover and the climb

An Actuary Abroad returns for its second instalment. This time, we hear from two actuaries who each built a chapter of their career across Singapore and Hong Kong, and whose journeys then took very different directions. Zoe Song left Sydney for Munich Re's regional structured solutions business in Singapore, and earlier this year took on the role of Head of Structured Solutions, Hong Kong & Taiwan and Regional Director, now based in Hong Kong. Darryn Tam spent two years with WTW across the two cities before returning to Sydney, where he is now a Director at Taylor Fry.

Zoe's story is about the doors that open when the move overseas becomes permanent. Darryn's shows what a stint abroad is worth back home.

Zoe Song

Zoe Song is Head of Structured Solutions, Hong Kong & Taiwan and Regional Director at Munich Re, based in Hong Kong. She began her career in Sydney, before moving internally to Munich Re's regional structured solutions business in Singapore, and relocating to Hong Kong at the start of 2026.

What made you decide to move abroad?

I had always been interested in working overseas to experience different markets and lifestyles, as well as to travel. That was one of the reasons I joined a global reinsurer, where an internal move could be easier.

When I moved to Singapore, the Australian life insurance market was challenging, while our structured solutions business was growing strongly overseas and was not present in Australia. I was curious about what was driving that growth and how Asian markets differed from Australia.

I connected with people in the regional office and learnt about their business. Relationships are only part of it; you also need to build credibility so that people are confident you can contribute to a new environment. When the opportunity came up, that combination turned an idea into a move.

You've made two international moves, Sydney to Singapore and then Singapore to Hong Kong. How did the second move differ from the first?

I left the Australian market that I knew well to join the regional structured solutions business covering Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Starting my first overseas role in a regional team while also working in a new business line and covering unfamiliar markets was challenging. Each market differed in its products, regulations, client needs and culture, so I needed to understand the key risks quickly, exercise judgement and adapt my approach rather than apply the same one everywhere.

This experience made the second move easier. I already understood Hong Kong's market, clients and regulatory environment. There were fewer unknowns, and I was clearer about where I could add value and the areas in which I wanted to develop.

I also learnt that a move needs to work for the whole family. There were opportunities elsewhere, but the choice of location needs to make sense for the family as a whole.

How did working overseas shift your career trajectory?

International relocation has broadened both my responsibilities and my perspective. When a market or business line is growing, there can also be more opportunities to help shape that growth.

Moving to a regional office covering diverse markets broadened my approach to market strategy and risk-reward assessment. It also helped me develop a framework that I could apply quickly when entering a new market.

Over time, the experience brought me closer to a wide range of clients, allowing me to uncover their needs and develop bespoke, innovative solutions for them. It also involved leading teams across different cultures and aligning stakeholders to achieve the right business outcomes. These experiences were both challenging and rewarding and would have been difficult to gain had I not moved overseas.

As a female executive who built her career largely overseas, what would you tell women considering the same move?

I'd suggest thinking about your long-term goals, both professionally and personally, as early as possible. For example, if you're interested in business development, moving into the market and building your network earlier can help you cultivate deeper client relationships.

Asia is fast-paced and may not offer the same work-life balance as Australia. However, work-life integration is possible, and support networks in many Asian cities can make family life more manageable.

Moving as a family can have both upsides and downsides. There may be compromises, such as schooling, so it's important to make the decision as a family and be prepared to adjust after the move.

What do you wish more Australian actuaries understood about what a career in Asia can offer?

Australian actuaries have well-recognised qualifications globally. We have strong technical and communication skills. Younger actuaries have benefited from the training and coaching of experienced actuaries, helping them build strong skills and knowledge early in their careers. This depth of knowledge-sharing may not be as readily available in newer markets and may be an underestimated advantage.

At the same time, Asia is developing strong actuarial talent, so Australian actuaries need to identify the distinctive strengths we can bring. For example, many Asian products are savings-focused, while there is also a desire to grow protection products. Australian actuaries' experience with protection products could therefore be relevant. On the other hand, working with Asian products also requires us to be willing to learn and develop different skill sets.

From a career perspective, a move overseas may offer more than vertical progression. Exposure to a different environment and the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to adapt can open up horizontal opportunities, including wider global networks and different career paths.

Even if the move does not work out for whatever reason, a shorter-term experience may still be worthwhile. It can ultimately contribute to your personal and professional development and may open up career paths you had not previously considered.

Darryn Tam

Darryn is a Director at Taylor Fry in Sydney, specialising in actuarial consulting and analytics. Prior to rejoining Taylor Fry, he spent two years as an Associate Director at WTW, based across Singapore and Hong Kong. 

What made you decide to move abroad?

I've always been fascinated by Hong Kong as the epitome of East meets West. There's something unique about the way the city blends the two cultures and business styles that I've always found compelling.

As a frequent visitor (aka tourist) over the years, I was conscious that visiting and living would be completely different experiences.

After a hiatus due to COVID travel restrictions, an opportunity came up just as they were easing. The timing felt like it aligned, and it was hard to say no.

What was harder than you expected, and what surprised you in a good way?

Explaining how a simulation model works in Cantonese really tested the extent of my bilingualism!

Only half joking. This reinforced the 'softer' side of being an actuary: you can be technically capable, but equally important is the need to ensure people are comfortable engaging with you. While English is widely used in business, the reality is that some clients are more comfortable conversing in Cantonese, and meeting them where they're at is just one example of this.

One thing that pleasantly surprised me was how close-knit the Australian actuarial community is overseas. There was a genuine sense of people looking out for one another, whether through professional introductions, career advice, or simply catching up socially. Connecting with other Aussie actuaries felt like a home away from home. A special shout-out to Kitty, Qian and Robert for organising regular events!

How did being an Australian-trained actuary land in the Singapore and Hong Kong markets?

You'll probably have to ask the people I worked with to get an unbiased answer!

My sense is that Australian actuaries have a reputation for being technically sound, commercially minded and comfortable dealing with ambiguity. That combination translates well, particularly in environments where you're working across different products and stakeholders. With that said, I've met great actuaries from all over the world.

Now that you're back in Australia, what from your time overseas do you still draw on most in your work?

If I had to pick one thing, it's probably a deeper sense of empathy when designing and framing solutions.

Being exposed to clients from different countries, industries and cultural backgrounds made me realise that the same problem can be interpreted very differently depending on the environment in which it's being asked. It's made me less attached to a single, predisposed way of solving a problem, and shifted me towards being more flexible and finding a solution that fits the given context.

What would you tell an Australian actuary considering an overseas stint, especially someone thinking of it as a few years rather than a permanent move?

Everyone's priorities are different, both professionally and personally. The key is to be clear on what you're looking for and do your due diligence on where that's most likely to come from. If an overseas stint aligns with those goals, don't overthink it.

What's next?

An Actuary Abroad continues through 2026, with the next instalment due in October featuring more Australian actuaries building careers across Asia and beyond.