Generali has appointed Krishnamoorthy Rao as Managing Director and CEO of its property and casualty business in India, bringing a veteran of the Indian market back to lead the Italian insurer’s general insurance operations.
Announced on 27 March, the appointment takes effect on 1 April 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Rao will head Generali Central Insurance, the group’s India P&C entity.
Rao brings over 35 years of experience in insurance and risk management. He previously served as Managing Director and CEO of Future Generali India Insurance from 2009 to 2018, where he built a multi-channel distribution network across retail and corporate segments, and most recently led Generali’s former Malaysian joint venture, MPI Generali, from 2018 to 2022. A Fellow of the Insurance Institute of India with a B.Tech in Production Engineering from the University of Calicut, he began his career as a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation before moving into underwriting and risk management roles at firms including Bajaj Allianz and Tata AIG.
Rob Leonardi, Regional Officer Asia at Generali, said:
“KM Rao’s return to India marks a strategic milestone for Generali in Asia. With his proven leadership, we will accelerate innovation and growth to shape the future of P&C insurance in this vital market and at a pivotal time for our business.”
Krishnamoorthy Rao said:
“I am honoured to lead Generali’s India P&C business into a new era of excellence. By harnessing India’s immense potential, we will pioneer innovative solutions and sustainable growth as we continue to serve as the Lifetime Partner of our customers.”
The appointment lands as India’s insurance sector opens to higher foreign ownership under the 100% FDI regime in force since February 2026, with Generali among the foreign insurers positioned to deepen their Indian operations.
Generali, established in 1831, reported total premium income of €98.1 billion and €900 billion in assets under management in 2025, with over 88,000 employees and 163,000 advisors serving 75 million customers across Europe, Asia and America.
