06:31 AM EDT, 05/24/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Fairfax Financial ( FRFHF ) overnight Thursday said Fairfax Asia Chairman and CEO Ramaswamy Athappan has passed away.

The company didn't mention the cause of death or Athappan's age. He played a major role in developing Fairfax's insurance operations in Southeast Asia, the company said.

"Mr. Athappan was an exceptional leader with an incredible track record of success," said Perm Watsa, Chairman and CEO of Fairfax.

Fairfax is a holding company which, through its subsidiaries, is primarily engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and the associated investment management.