TRANSITIONS: OCTOBER 2015

IAG has boosted its team with the appointment of a former senior Suncorp manager, plus many more movements throughout the industry this month.

AIA AUSTRALIA

AIA Australia has announced the appointment of Stephanie Phillips to the role of Chief Group Insurance Officer, leading the company’s distribution, product, pricing and operations.

Having acted in the position since June, Phillips have developed and launched AIA Australia’s e-claims and rehabilitation programs.

AIA Australia Chief Executive Officer Damien Mu is pleased to announce Phillips’ promotion.

“Steph has been an asset to the company and has already achieved some significant milestones in her role as acting Chief Group Insurance Officer,” Mu says.

“Importantly, she provides the team, our clients and our partners with not only the experience required to deliver on the strategic goals of the business, but also good stability and continuity as she has already been acting in the role over the past three months.”

ARTHUR J. GALLAGHER

Arthur J. Gallagher (AJG) has made two key appointments, with Paul Moorcroft taking the position of Victoria Corporate Manager and Greg Johnson taking the position of South Australia Corporate Manager.

Moorcroft has been the Business Development National Practice Leader at AJG for the past eight years, securing key accounts and facilitating new business growth.

Johnson joined AJG in 2011 and has been Acting State Manager in Victoria ahead of his official promotion.

AJG CEO Andrew Godden says: “Paul and Greg have both been integral to our business’ growth and our ability to provide our corporate clients with great solutions and service for many years.”

“I am delighted that they are taking up these roles and I have no doubt that our teams in Melbourne and Adelaide along with our clients will benefit from their contributions,” he says.

BMS GROUP

BMS Group has announced the appointment of Sam Mayne as Director of Wholesale and Facilities, reporting to BMS Australia CEO Brett Field.

Mayne brings more than 13 years’ worth of experience in the international insurance market to the role.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Sam to BMS as we launch our Brisbane office. The Brisbane operation will increase our territorial reach and, as the only independent Lloyd’s broker with local Australian offices, goes further to demonstrate our commitment to the Australian market,” Field says.

Mayne says that he is looking forward to contributing to BMS’ Australian business.

“I am delighted to be joining BMS and am very excited about contributing to the continued growth of the Group’s Australian business,” Mayne says.

“BMS’ reputation in the market for finding entrepreneurial solutions for stakeholders via its strong, established relationships in Australia, Singapore and London, gives us a competitive advantage in our ambition to grow a market leading portfolio of business.”

DUAL

Hyperion Insurance Group’s underwriting arm DUAL has announced the resignation of Shane Doyle from the role of Chief Executive Officer.

DUAL Group Chief Underwriting Officer Talbir Bains will act as interim CEO following Doyle’s departure. Bains joined DUAL earlier this year, after spending more than a decade in senior roles at QBE.

Hyperion Insurance Group CEO David Howden wishes Doyle success for his future engagements.

“Shane has led DUAL during a transformational two-year period for the Group,” Howden says.

“He has overseen major product and geographic diversification, the creation of a robust risk and governance structure, and the establishment of our hub management structure of North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.”

GKA INVESTIGATIONS

Fire investigation firm GKA Investigations Group has announced its merger with factual investigations firm Thomas King & Associates.

Thomas King & Associates Principal Bob King says it makes strategic sense to bring his company under GKA Investigations.

“The two companies are a very natural fit,” says King.

“The merger provides access to a greater pool or resources and will personally allow me much more time to focus on my passion for professional investigation processes.”
GKA Investigations owner Greg Kelly is very happy to welcome King to the company.

“We operate in a very specialist niche in which there are very few people who can offer anywhere near Bob’s level of experience and expertise,” says Kelly.

IAG

IAG has announced the appointment of Mike Millner to the position of Chief Operating Officer, effective mid-2016.

Formerly Suncorp’s Chief Executive Officer Personal Insurance, Milliner will report to IAG Managing Director and CEO designate Peter Harmer.

“Mark is one of our sector’s leading executives and we are delighted he has chosen to join IAG,” Harmer says.   

“His experience in leading and growing insurance businesses and his passion for customer service will be a tremendous asset as we continue to build up our business for future success.”

Further to this, IAG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mike Wilkins has announced the resignation of Chief Strategy Officer Leona Murphy.

Murphy has been with IAG since 2007, as Business Services Group Executive and, since then, has held a range of executive positions including Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Transformation Officer.

“Leona has been a key member of our team and was instrumental in IAG’s journey over the past eight years,” Wilkins says.  

“In particular, her leadership and commitment to creating a purpose-led organisation and to delivering on our transformation agenda have ensured that IAG is well-placed for the future.”

“We wish Leona all the best as she pursues a Non-Executive Director and broader portfolio career,” Wilkins adds.

NORTON ROSE FULBRIGHT

Global legal practice Norton Rose Fulbright has announced the appointment of new partner Brett Solomon to its Brisbane office.

Solomon is an experienced insurance lawyer and was most recently head of the national insurance group at DibbsBaker.

Solomon has acted for brokers, underwriters, self-insureds, claims handlers and other stakeholders in the insurance industry for more than 20 years.

Norton Rose Fulbright Managing Partner Wayne Spanner says Solomon’s appointment adds another high-quality partner to the national insurance team.

“We are pleased to be able to offer our clients an increasing number of talented senior lawyers in our respected national insurance practice,” Spanner says.

“The addition of Brett will only enhance our reputation for high-quality contentious, corporate and regulatory insurance advice.”

SLE GROUP

SLE Group has appointed Tony Carter to the position of Chief Underwriting Officer, transitioning from his role as Risk Analyst and Statistician.

SLE Group Managing Director Brad French says Carter will be responsible for production pipelines, compliance, education, report, and risk selection, policy conditions and premium pricing.

“Tony has built a wealth of knowledge and experience in his time with SLE Group and we recognise that by promoting him into a new role that embodies his overarching function of liaising with clients and brokers, and our security providers in Australia and internationally,” French says.