The board of the National Insurance Brokers’ Association (NIBA) has announced Dianne Phelan, group operations manager at BJS Insurance Group, as its new president. The appointment will take effect immediately.
In taking up the role, Phelan replaces Eric Harris, service delivery leader for APAC at Aon. Harris will remain on the NIBA board as a director. Meanwhile Ward Dedman, CEO and executive director at EBM Insurance, will take up the post of NIBA Vice president.
“It is very humbling to be appointed as the president of NIBA,” Phelan said in a note to the press.
“As we work though the implementation of the Royal Commission recommendations, I feel very privileged to be able to work with Dallas [Booth] and the rest of the board to ensure we continue to strive for the best outcomes for our members and their clients.”
NIBA CEO Dallas Booth thanked Harris for his leadership “through the outcome of the Royal Commission, the Black Summer fires across Eastern and Southern Australia, and the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“Eric has led extensive board discussions of the proposed new Code of Practice, and the strategic development of NIBA and insurance broking over the next three to five years,” Booth said.
“I am very grateful for the time and effort Eric has put into NIBA in these difficult times."
Booth added that he “[looks] forward to working with Di and the board as we face the major upcoming challenges on remuneration, the new Code of Practice and the ongoing difficulties with the hard market”.
