Lipscomb University

Today’s business world is one that continues to become more global in scope with each passing day. Lipscomb influences this globalization as it produces leaders who are at the forefront of this frontier.

Alumnus of the Year Barry Stowe, Chief Executive of Prudential Corporation Asia.

Barry Stowe is on the frontline of this global charge. As chief executive of Prudential Corporation Asia, Stowe (’79) is a resident of Hong Kong and is responsible for Prudential plc's network of life insurance, fund management and consumer finance operations spanning 13 diverse markets across Asia.

In Asia, Prudential is the leading Europe-based life insurer in terms of market coverage, with more than 425,000 employees and agents across the region and more than 11 million customers. Prudential is also one of Asia’s largest asset managers, with operations in ten markets and £36.8 billion in assets under management in Asia (as of Dec. 31, 2008).

Stowe is also Lipscomb’s 2009 Alumnus of the Year.

“This is the highest form of recognition given by Lipscomb and The National Alumni Association. Barry Stowe exemplifies the Christian business leader we hold up to our students, alumni and community. We are very proud to claim him as one of our alums,” said Mark Meador, senior director of alumni and parent relations.

The award is given annually to an alumnus who is a “successful individual who, through exemplary accomplishments and recognition, and through his strong faith and servant-like heart, epitomizes the potential of a Lipscomb education.”

A native of Nashville, Stowe holds a degree in political science from Lipscomb. He believes it was a foundation that prepared him for his career in international business.

“My studies in politics exposed me to a wide range of subjects that were of great interest to me,” said Stowe, who is also an alumnus of David Lipscomb High School. “I am an advocate of a liberal arts education. I believe an education of this type shapes and trains individuals to accomplish anything they want to accomplish in life. I developed many lifelong skills, such as articulating my views and knowledge through writing and verbal communication.”

“My parents gave me a gift of incalculable value when they chose Lipscomb for me. I received so much more than an education. Lipscomb provided me with a foundation. It remains a force for good in my life to this very day.”

After graduation, Stowe realized that he wanted to pursue a career in business and was introduced to Nashville-based insurance firm Corroon & Black (now known as Willis, a global risk management and insurance brokerage), by a close friend of his father’s. It was an introduction that set Stowe on a path that would eventually lead to Asia. He credits Bobby McElhiney, the head of Corroon & Black’s sales operation at the time, with his success in the industry. Stowe began his career there in a sales role and worked his way up the ladder to several leadership positions.

"Lipscomb provided me with a foundation.  And it remains a force for good in my life to this very day."

The next step on Stowe’s path was his tenure as president and chief operating officer of Nisus, a subsidiary of the Pan American Life Insurance Company. Following that, Stowe was president of Accident & Health Worldwide for AIG Life Companies, based in Hong Kong and overseeing more than 100 operations across six continents. Under his leadership, AIG became the global market leader in accident and health insurance, leveraging rapidly evolving dynamics between consumers, governments and the medical industry. In October 2006, Stowe joined the Prudential leadership team.

“The insurance industry has changed enormously over the past 30 years since I began my career,” he said. “What is most appealing about the industry is that the fundamental premise of our business is one of service. Our industry helps people identify problems and solve them in advance. It creates wealth. When I look at what the insurance industry has done to build the economies of the markets where Prudential Corporation Asia does business in Asia, it is genuinely gratifying.”

Stowe has observed first-hand a continent that is changing. The most obvious change in Asia is its economic growth. He says one of the principal outcomes of this growth is the emergence of a middle class, which will increasingly allow Asian economies to be less oriented toward exporting and more driven by local consumer spending. He said consumers in Asia are increasingly demanding a different approach to retirement, healthcare and other social services.  

“Governments in Asia have generally created an environment that encourages private solutions to these issues, so insurance and asset management companies are very well positioned to prosper uniquely from Asia's continued economic growth. Asia is impacted by the current economic disruption, just like the rest of the world, but its rise as an economic powerhouse is inevitable. The future prospects for the region are incredibly strong,” said Stowe.

Stowe lives in Hong Kong with his wife, Sherri (Stewart ’79), and their three daughters, Anne Carter Stowe, 16; Mary Charles Stowe, 13; and Lillian Stowe, 8. Though the Stowes live thousands of miles away from family, they enjoy their home in Hong Kong.

“It is easy to live in Asia. We love it here. Hong Kong is one of the world's great, vibrant cities. It has been a wonderful experience for our family to experience Asia in a way that can only be achieved by living here,” said Stowe.

“Our children are well-traveled; they've been all over the world, which is a wonderful educational and culturally enriching experience. They have grown up with friends from all over the world, which gives them a perspective that I never had as a child.”

Stowe was honored at a luncheon in downtown Nashville and at May commencement exercises.