Speaker Biography - Microinsurance Conference 2007

Vijay Athreye, Tata-AIG, India

Vijay .S. Athreye (VP and National Head Rural , Social and Micro insurance for TATA AIG Life Insurance Company India) based at Bangalore India  has been at the helm of the Micro insurance initiative at TATA-AIG Life Insurance since the start of the program nearly six years ago. Staring as a one man team with operations in only one State in India in 2001 the micro insurance program at TATA-AIG is now handled by a thirty five member team that operates in pockets of eleven States across the country. In September 2002 the TATA AIG team was successful in bidding for a DFID assisted  Public Private Partnership project on Micro insurance whose implementation Vijay  managed with till conclusion of the project in May 2007. With various innovative verticals for distribution and service and partnerships with over 100 NGO’s , retail Micro insurance during the period April to September 2007 accounted for 22 % of TATA AIG policies a triple digit growth over the previous year both in numbers and premium. Vijay personal interest in the development sector has seen him be a speaker at various national and international conferences as well as educational institutions on issues of Sustainable development , Public Private Partnerships and Financial Inclusion.

Vijay holds a Bachelors Degree in Engineering ,a Masters Degree in Business Admistration,  and is a Fellow of the Life Management Institute (LOMA - USA) as well as an Associate in Customer Service. Before his tryst with the Insurance Industry Vijay has held business development, marketing and strategic consulting assignments both in the Middle East and in India for over 19 years. His services have been deployed  in the fields of Turnkey projects in  Thermal Power Plants ,Wind Farm development , capital equipments ,automobile s, consumer durables , charter aviation and Sales force automation software.

Vijay’s hobbies include singing and playing guitar for acoustic rock band, racquet games, reading and voluntary consulting services to Social Sector organizations.