Southern Cross Travel Insurance has appointed Anita Samu as chief underwriting officer and Greg Sparling as chief legal and risk officer for its operations in New Zealand and Australia.
In a news release, Jo McCauley, CEO of Southern Cross Travel Insurance, said that these appointments signal a shift towards stability and growth in the travel industry, acknowledging the challenges it has faced recently.
Samu rejoins the Southern Cross brand family as chief underwriting officer, bringing her extensive leadership background from previous roles at IAG New Zealand, Bank of New Zealand, and Southern Cross Health Society. Having worked for nearly two decades in insurance and banking, Samu has held diverse positions encompassing actuarial, finance, product, pricing, and analytics.
“I’m passionate about bringing the worlds of finance, data, and analytics into an organisation’s planning and decision-making process. To be able to return to Southern Cross and share this passion is very exciting,” Samu said.
Sparling, an experienced corporate and financial services lawyer with a background in governance and risk, assumes the role of chief legal and risk officer at Southern Cross Travel Insurance. According to the news release, his appointment follows senior leadership roles at Resolution Life (Australia and New Zealand), Cigna Life Insurance New Zealand, and ANZ Bank New Zealand, along with experience in private law practices and the public sector in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
“It’s a privilege to be joining one of New Zealand’s most trusted travel insurers, especially at a time of regeneration for the travel industry,” Sparling said.
“We’re privileged to welcome Anita and Greg and the wealth of experience they bring to the Southern Cross whānau,” McCauley said. “Travel is now back in full force and these two appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to investing in capability, to continue to support our customers on their travels.”
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