FWD Group Celebrates 13th Anniversary with Charitable Grants Supporting Over 13,000 People Across Asia

FWD Group Celebrates 13th Anniversary with Charitable Grants Supporting Over 13,000 People Across Asia

FWD Group Holdings Limited has announced charitable grants benefitting more than 13,000 people across Asia as the pan-Asian life and health insurer celebrates its 13th anniversary.

Founded in 2013 by Richard Li Tzar-kai through Pacific Century Group with the acquisition of ING Group's insurance units in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Thailand for US$2.1 billion, FWD Group has expanded into a major regional player serving approximately 40 million customers across 10 markets. The company, which manages assets of approximately US$62.4 billion, achieved another significant milestone in July 2025 when it listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code 1828, raising HK$3.47 billion (US$442 million) in an IPO that was oversubscribed 37 times.

Huynh Thanh Phong, Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of FWD Group, emphasized the importance of community engagement beyond customer service. The CEO, who has led the company since March 2014 and brings over 30 years of insurance industry experience including founding Prudential Vietnam and serving as deputy CEO at AIA Group, stated that the grants represent a meaningful way to give back to communities that have been part of the company's journey.

The 13 grants will support initiatives spanning financial literacy, career readiness, entrepreneurship, health and wellbeing, and community recovery across the region. This anniversary initiative continues a tradition established in August 2023 when FWD marked its 10th anniversary with a similar '10 grants in 10 markets' charitable program.

Hong Kong SAR Recovery and Support

In Hong Kong SAR, three major grants address both ongoing educational needs and recovery from the devastating Tai Po fire at Wang Fuk Court housing complex on November 26, 2025, which killed 168 people and became Hong Kong's deadliest fire in nearly eight decades. FWD Group will extend the JA SparktheDream Wellness Programme with Junior Achievement Hong Kong, providing interactive workshops and family activities to equip 2,600 primary school students with social, emotional and financial skills.

For communities affected by the Tai Po tragedy, FWD Group will strengthen wellbeing, resilience and social-emotional skills for 200 children and 80 caregivers through a football-based programme with Save the Children Hong Kong. Additionally, Plan International Hong Kong will lead psychosocial support and community-building initiatives for over 6,500 students, parents and teachers to advance long-term recovery in Tai Po communities.

Regional Financial Literacy and Empowerment

Across Southeast Asia, FWD Group will support financial education and entrepreneurship development. In Cambodia, 200 young people will receive practical money management skills through financial education workshops, expert-led discussions and digital learning content with JCI Mekong. Indonesia's programme partners with KUMPUL on InnovateHer Academy 4.0 to empower 10 female entrepreneurs with mentorship and business readiness skills.

In the Philippines, 100 university students will transition into the workforce with support from Junior Achievement Philippines, receiving training in financial literacy, career readiness and future-of-work skills. Thailand will see expanded career readiness support for seven disadvantaged youth through hospitality training scholarships with Pimali Foundation, while 30 Thai educators will receive training to deliver financial literacy education through the JA SparktheDream programme with Junior Achievement Thailand.

Vietnam's initiatives include workshops and debate competitions by Startup Vietnam Foundation and Dear Our Community to build financial literacy, critical thinking and communication skills for 800 students. The Little Roses Foundation will provide 76 computers to schools in Vietnam's Khanh Hoa Province, enabling 1,800 students to continue learning after severe flooding damaged educational facilities.

Health and Community Wellbeing

Health-focused grants align with the fastest-growing segment of the Asia-Pacific insurance market, where health insurance is projected to grow at 9.10% annually through 2031. In Malaysia, FWD Group will support GivingHub in providing 170 low-income families with health education and financial literacy workshops, plus 100 cancer screening and consultation sessions.

Singapore's programme will support 50 children with chronic illnesses and their caregivers through a carnival experience with Club Rainbow (Singapore), fostering inclusion and community spirit. In Japan, the company will promote inclusion, wellbeing and social connection through football clinics for over 15 visually impaired people with Hands On Tokyo.

The initiatives come as FWD Group operates in one of the world's fastest-growing insurance markets. The Asia-Pacific life and non-life insurance market is projected to expand from USD 2.08 trillion in 2025 to USD 2.91 trillion by 2031, with the region expected to account for one-third of global life insurance premium volume. With over 6,900 employees, FWD Group aims to deliver the grants through partnerships with community organizations while enabling employee volunteering to bring the company's values to life through direct engagement.