Hot List 2022

Driving vital change in insurance

The past year saw a continuing trend towards a hardening market. The controversy surrounding business interruption insurance made news as insurers argued their policies were not designed for pandemics. So far, it appears the arguments are standing up to court scrutiny and insurers will be able to avoid payouts in the billions of dollars. 

It was a big year for changes in systems and processes as insurers prepared for October’s raft of reforms. Triggered by the findings of the Financial Services Royal Commission, the new legislation included caps on commissions, regulation of claims handling and hawking prohibitions. The anti-hawking reforms are particularly far-reaching, affecting every business that sells insurance to retail clients.

The later months were notable for the impact of the second La Niña weather event in a row. Although less severe than its predecessor, which caused widespread damage and flooding, it had already been responsible for at least 69,000 property claims by the end of the year.  

Unlikely good news came in the form of class actions, with the number falling to 37 last year. A substantial drop from a record 62 in 2020, this result suggests that fears of an explosion following legislative changes in 2006 might have been misplaced.

Spurred on by demands resulting from the pandemic, insurers continued to digitise fundamentals of the insurance process such as distribution, underwriting, pricing and claims functions. The trend towards partnering with insurtech firms also continued to open up new possibilities for collaboration. 

Against this background of challenge and opportunity, the 50 Hot Listers in Australia stood out for their commitment to building a fair, sustainable and relevant future for the industry.  

 

Hot List 2022

  • Adam Ware
    Director, BJS Insurance Brokers (Gippsland)
  • Alishia Oliver
    Account manager, Crucial Insurance and Risk Advisors
  • Amar Roomi
    Chief technology officer, Blue Zebra Insurance
  • Annmaree Bell
    Head of strategic and business insights general insurance, Australia and New Zealand
    Zurich General Insurance
  • Anthony Pagano
    Head of commercial intermediaries, Vero
  • Bonni Gordon
    Principal, Global Risks
  • Blair Whittle
    Chief executive officer, High Street Underwriting Agency
  • Brad French
    Managing director, SLE
  • Catherine Carlyon
    Country Manager, Australia, AXA XL
  • Chris Mackinnon
    General representative in Australia, Lloyd's Australia
  • Damien Coates
    Chief executive officer, DUAL Asia-Pacific
  • David Summers
    Managing director, Ausure Horizon Insurance
  • Elliott Hill
    General manager, sales and relationship management, QBE Australia Pacific
  • Gary Sim
    Director, CCM Insurance Group
  • Gavan Burke
    Director, Active Insurance Solutions
  • Gavin Doherty
    Principal, strategic risk, Marsh
  • Hamish McDonald Nye
    Executive director, ProRisk
  • Jane Smith
    Head of energy and power, Pacific, Marsh
  • Jennifer Richards
    Chief executive officer, Aon Australia
  • Julie Mitchell
    Chief general manager, personal injury, Allianz Australia
  • Kurt Nilsen
    Chairman, Underwriting Agencies Council
  • Lisa Carter
    Managing director, Clear Insurance
  • Lyle Steffensen
    Practices leader Pacific, Marsh Care Solutions at Marsh Australia
  • Mark Cohen
    Divisional CEO, Wilbur
  • Melanie Slack
    Chief executive officer, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Australia and New Zealand
  • Naby Mariyam
    Founder and CEO, Coverhero
  • Nick Hawkins
    CEO, IAG
  • Nigel Fitzgerald
    CEO, Australia, AIG
  • Peter Kelaher
    Country president, Australia and New Zealand, Chubb Insurance Australia
  • Prue Willsford
    Chief executive officer, Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance
  • Richard Enthoven
    Founder and CEO, Hollard Insurance
  • Rhys Mills
    Managing director, Solution Underwriting Agency
  • Robert Kelly
    Managing director and CEO, Steadfast Group
  • Steve Johnston
    Group CEO and managing director, Suncorp Group
  • Sue Houghton
    CEO, Australia Pacific, QBE Insurance Group
  • Tim Scott-Young
    Chief claims officer, Zurich Financial Services Australia
  • Tony Clark
    Chief executive officer, NTI
  • Tony Dodd
    Chief executive officer, GT Insurance
  • Troy Filipcevic
    CEO and founder, Emergence Insurance
  • Wayne Tower
    Chief executive, IQumulate Premium Funding
  • William Legge
    General manager, Underwriting Agencies Council

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