Insurer Prudential Singapore has named its second new chief executive in just under 12 months.

Mr Wilfred Blackburn will take over from Mr Philip Seah - an appointment that is subject to regulatory approval.

Before this, Mr Blackburn was Prudential Vietnam's chief executive, and he has more than 26 years of experience in life insurance. He joined Prudential in 2012.

The Straits Times understands that the appointments were announced internally yesterday evening. A Prudential spokesman confirmed the appointments.

Mr Seah, 61, was appointed chief executive in late October last year, after his predecessor, Mr Tomas Urbanec, made a sudden and immediate departure.

An internal memo said Mr Seah "is taking on an executive role within PCA (Prudential Corporation Asia) as senior adviser to support our region-wide growth agenda".

He reports to Ms Lilian Ng, chief executive of insurance at Prudential Corporation Asia. The Singaporean joined Prudential Singapore in 1978 as a part-time agent while working as an air steward.

"His (Mr Seah's) extensive knowledge and region-wide expertise will be leveraged in this new role as we harness our growth ambitions," the memo said.

It also noted Singapore is one of Prudential's material markets in Asia, and "the business is in very good shape".

Rachael Boon