Dual Australia has announced the restructuring of its business to include a national business unit which will complement its current offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
This restructure is being implemented specifically to improve the level of service it provides its 650 brokers around the country and will be effective 1 October 2013.
Leo Abbruzzo, a founding member of Dual will head the national business unit, set up to develop relationships with brokers with which Dual has previously had a modest trading relationship. The unit will consist of a team of eight underwriters, including two relationship managers and will also be responsible for South Australia and Tasmania.
The underwriter was thrust into the spotlight this winter when it uncovered that a senior claims officer and her husband had cheated the business out of $17m.
“Dual Australia has lost its way over the last couple of years and this restructure is about returning to our foundations of innovative solutions and exceptional service for our brokers,” conceded Damien Coates, CEO Asia Pacific.
“I personally am thrilled Leo has accepted this role as he has been an integral part of Dual and this industry for so long, and his appointment shows our commitment to servicing our brokers around the country. The restructure will also allow our current branches to provide an improved service to a more defined group of brokers.”
As part of the restructure Dual has promoted Clinton Evans to chief operating officer. Evans, who joined the underwriter in 2009, initially to set up the A&H business, will also assume responsibility for managing the Southern region.
Hamish McDonald-Nye will become Southern region financial lines manager. He will support Evans.
Further national promotions include Emily Winwood as marketing and relationships manager and Jane Cullen as operations manager.
Speaking of future plans, Coates said: “We made the structural changes as we see huge opportunities in expanding our existing financial lines business, developing underinsured areas such as crime, statutory liability and cyber as well as innovating through the A&H space with sports and affinity business.
He added: “Finally we would like to thank our brokers for their immense level of patience and support in what has been a difficult time for Dual and we intend to repay them in the only way that counts – exceptional service.”
