David Fried is a globally recognized board director, strategic advisor, and financial services leader with a 30+ year track record of driving growth, transformation, and governance excellence across the insurance, retirement, and asset management sectors. His leadership spans five continents, having served in executive and non-executive roles for global institutions such as HSBC, Allianz, and QBE Insurance Group. His experience includes oversight of businesses operating in more than 50 countries, with profit and loss responsibility exceeding $15 billion and teams numbering in the thousands.

Throughout his career, David has led major turnarounds, regional expansions, and cross-border acquisitions that significantly increased enterprise value. While serving as Group Head of Insurance at HSBC, he transformed the Asia Pacific insurance business from four countries to 19, growing profits from $300 million to $1.6 billion. At QBE, he oversaw the integration of Asia Pacific and Latin American operations, boosting written premiums to $1.8 billion and delivering over $30 million in cost savings. His strategic vision enabled market-leading investments in China and Vietnam, generating returns that increased valuation from $2.3 billion to $8 billion.

David is highly sought after for his governance expertise, having served on more than 50 corporate, nonprofit, and advisory boards across insurance, financial services, education, and the arts. He has chaired audit, risk, investment, and remuneration committees, and regularly advises CEOs and boards on governance frameworks, growth strategies, and restructuring. In addition to his corporate work, he has remained actively engaged in philanthropy and community service, including leadership roles with the Hong Kong and Buffalo Philharmonics and as Treasurer of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee.

As a mentor, public speaker, and educator, David shares his insights on leadership, organizational resilience, and industry transformation. He maintains a strong connection to education and mentorship, most recently through guest lecturing at Miami University (Ohio), his alma mater. His lectures on leadership and organizational development, as well as “lunch and learn” sessions on global career opportunities, have become part of an ongoing engagement with the university that will continue through the upcoming academic year and beyond. His unique ability to bridge strategic vision with operational execution continues to influence business leaders, boardrooms, and organizations seeking sustainable success in today’s dynamic global environment.

Selected Speaking Engagements

• Guest Lecturer, Leadership & Organizational Development, Miami University (2025)
• Speaker, Insurance Industry Transformation in Asia, LIMRA Asia Conference
• Panelist, Board Governance & Risk Strategy, Asia Insurance Industry Summit
• Keynote, Leadership in Crisis, Global Bancassurance Forum
• Lecturer, Department of Actuarial, Insurance & Finance, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Publications & Contributions

• Published author on insurance innovation, risk governance, and strategic leadership in:
  • Asia Insurance Review
  • World Finance Insurance Report
  • The Asia Banker
• Career mentor and contributor to Miami University’s Executive Education and Mentorship programs

Notable Awards

• Lifetime Achievement Award, Insurance Asia News Industry Awards (video)
• Personality of the Year, Asia Insurance Industry Awards
• Leadership in Bancassurance, World Finance Insurance Awards
• Excellence in Retail Financial Services, The Asian Banker
• County Key Recipient, Miami-Dade County
• Volunteer Support Award, Hong Kong Philharmonic Society