Agile Insurance Group has named Jamie Connor as its new head of aviation for the Australia and New Zealand region.
Connor (pictured) has been part of Agile’s aviation team since 2019, serving as a senior underwriter. His career in aviation insurance began in 2005 as a claims handler in the London market.
After relocating to Australia in 2010, Connor continued to build his expertise as an underwriter, followed by a brief tenure as an aviation broker in 2018.
“I am very happy to continue my journey with Agile in leading the aviation team in Australia and New Zealand and to build on what already is a strong offering in the aviation market,” Connor said.
The announcement follows a leadership transition, with Michael Dalton stepping into a global aviation role after the establishment of Agile’s Syndicate at Lloyd’s earlier this year.
“It’s an exciting time for the Agile group as we develop the Lloyds Syndicate, and we’ve been able to continue working with the leading Aviation Syndicates in Lloyd’s. We’ve had fantastic support from the broker community, and I am very pleased to be leading this next phase of our offering in the region,” Connor said.
Dalton, now global head of aviation, said: “I’m very pleased that Jamie has accepted this new position. We have a long history together, and he’s been a critical partner in building the portfolios we’ve managed together since 2010. He has always demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and professionalism to be proud of,” he said.
Robin Barham, CEO of Agile, highlighted Connor’s leadership experience.
“Jamie has always been a stand-out in the market, and we’re very pleased that he’s taking on this next role. As Mike steps up into a more global vision, Jamie will continue to lead the Australia/New Zealand business with his usual calm precision that brokers and colleagues have come to admire,” he said.
The aviation insurance market in Australia and New Zealand is navigating both stability and uncertainty as the year ends, according to WTW’s General Aviation Insurance Market Outlook for Q4 2024.
The report outlined favourable conditions for operators with solid claims histories but notes potential challenges looming into 2025.
WTW highlighted that overcapacity in hull and liability lines has fuelled competitive dynamics, with insurers reducing rates for operators showing positive loss records and growth strategies. However, in the area of excess war liabilities, capacity remains constrained, with some accounts seeing modest rate hikes.
The outlook for the hull war market, which has experienced price stabilization mid-year due to increased capacity, is less predictable. Geopolitical risks could disrupt pricing trends if instability escalates.
Broader factors could also influence market dynamics. The active hurricane season in the US may have downstream effects on global reinsurance markets, while unresolved aircraft lease disputes stemming from the Russia-Ukraine conflict add legal uncertainty.
For clients renewing policies in the final quarter of 2024, WTW recommended early engagement with brokers and a clear demonstration of risk management strategies.
Looking to 2025, the report underscored that innovations such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and hybrid-electric jets are likely to influence the risk landscape. At the same time, rising land costs are affecting smaller airfields, which remain crucial for training new aviation professionals.
