Underwriting Agencies Council Ltd

Welcome to the Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC), the representative organisation for Australian underwriting agencies. UAC’s purpose is to serve the interests of Australian underwriting agencies.

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Voting Membership

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Jarrod Bell

Sportscover
Head of Underwriting

Jarrod Bell

Arrod is the Head of Underwriting at Sportscover Australia. Sportscover is the leading Sport and Leisure Insurance Specialist with a multi-faceted approach to underwriting, claims and risk management.

With 25 years of experience, Jarrod has worked across underwriting, claims, reinsurance and risk management including roles within General Insurers, Lloyd’s Syndicates and Underwriting Agencies. Jarrod is a strong advocate and supporter of the insurance industry, especially the Underwriting Agency space, having written business Singapore, the UK, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the pacific and of course Australia.

Jarrod’s knowledge and passion allows him to accurately provide clients and their broking partners with insurance programs that combine competitive coverage options, risk mitigation strategies with strong, stable premium levels.

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Dean Malakiy

Drivercare
Business Development & Relationship Manager

Dean Malakiy

I am Dean Malakiy, an accomplished and seasoned professional with a remarkable career in the insurance industry. Since 2009, I have been passionately involved in this dynamic field, making significant contributions and gaining invaluable expertise. Over the years, I have worked with prestigious companies like IAG and Suncorp, position myself as a well-rounded specialist, capable of handling various aspects of the insurance business.

Having the privilege to work with leading insurance providers, I have gained a comprehensive understanding of the industry landscape. My tenure with these organisations has equipped me with unique insights into different business models, customer segments and product portfolios. This has proven invaluable in crafting strategic solutions to meet the evolving industry demands.

From claims management, risk assessment, customer relations, underwriting, supply chain, settlements, recoveries and litigation, fleet management, business development, sales, marketing, website and technology solutions, I have navigated through each aspect with proficiency. This diverse exposure has made me an experienced professional, capable of addressing challenges from multiple angles and providing innovative solutions.

As a proactive and forward-thinking professional, I have consistently leveraged cutting-edge technologies and industry best practices to streamline processes, enhance customer experiences and drive bottom-line results and profit. My leadership abilities have also come to the fore as I have led teams through challenging projects, fostering collaboration and a culture of excellence.

An ardent believer in customer-centricity, I have been a strong advocate for developing tailored solutions that cater to customers’ unique needs. My approach towards clients and commitment to providing comprehensive coverage have earned me a loyal customer base and resulted in long-term business relationships.

As the insurance industry continues to evolve in the face of new challenges and opportunities, I remain enthusiastic about embracing the future. My dedication to continuous learning and adaptability ensures that I am always at the forefront of industry trends, ready to seize any new prospects for personal and professional growth.

My extensive journey in the insurance industry, working with major insurers and fleet companies and contributing to all facets of the business, has honed my expertise and made me an industry expert. I am excited to continue making positive contributions and playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of our industry.

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Hamish McDonald Nye

Prorisk
Chief Executive Officer

Hamish McDonald Nye

Hamish is Chief Executive Officer of Professional Risk Underwriting Pty Ltd (“ProRisk”) and Armada Underwriting Pty Ltd following a successful career in underwriting and insurance broking and management.

His experience includes business management, underwriting, insurance broking, technology platform development, portfolio management, education and training, insurance product design, and compliance.

As CEO of ProRisk and Armada underwriting agencies Hamish has transformed a traditional underwriting business into a technology enabled, multiline underwriting business focused on the needs of SME and mid-market insureds with offices in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Under Hamish’s stewardship the business made significant investments in technology, marketing, and people. He has managed the business through a cyber attack, successfully rebranded ProRisk, restructured the business’ capacity arrangements, launched new products and refreshed its full product suite.

Education and professional development are a passion for Hamish, who has delivered 100 free educational seminars to the insurance market and clients.

Hamish has led ProRisk to win a number of awards including Insurance Business Award’s Underwriting Agency of the Year in 2020 and ANZIIF’s Most Valuable Team for 2021 for ProRisk’s Claims team.

Hamish holds a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from Monash University and Diploma of Financial Services (Insurance Broking). Hamish is a member of the Australian Professional Indemnity Group and the Australian Law Association and regularly participates on industry panels including as a keynote speaker during the state of the market address at the 2022 APIG National Conference.

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Chris Quick

Steadfast Underwriting Agencies
Head of Market Management

Chris Quick

I started my career in the insurance sector in 2006, after doing 6 years in Horticulture. Being a car enthusiast in my younger days it was a natural step to join Shannons Insurance.

Five years later I moved to Calliden Insurance Limited and became an underwriter at Dawes Underwriting. Most of my career was spent there and I progressed through the agency to become National Underwriting Manager. I lead the agency through two changes of insurers, a change of ownership and oversaw Personal Lines (Mansions) for just under a year and grew both portfolios to the intermediated market.

I am now Head of Market Management at Steadfast Underwriting Agencies. In my current role, I represent our 6 100% owned agencies in a market facing environment by getting our agencies client value proposition to the intermediated market and lead a team with 3 BDMs. My focus is to manage the overall strategic intermediary relationship & partnerships within the agency business.

Outside of work, I am a keen runner and always up for a 5k to a 30k run!

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Drew Schnehage

Innovation Group Australia
Managing Director

Drew Schnehage

Drew Schnehage brings with her more than 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry in South Africa. Her strong focus is on building and strengthening client relationships.

Having built and grown two businesses from the ground-up, Drew thrives in innovative and entrepreneurial environments, leads by example, and believes that hard work pays off. She believes in nurturing and building highly effective teams which help clients to be successful.

At 32 Drew joined an Underwriting Agency, as director. From here she developed a niche insurance product for high-net worth individuals. In 2008, Drew was offered the opportunity to start an Underwriting Agency and developed the first ever high-net worth portfolio, which had never been done before in South Africa.
In 2016, Drew and her team won the Underwriting Agency of the Year. 7 years later Drew sold her Underwriting Agency to Hollard Insurance in South Africa and joined their personal lines division to assist with the development of their new personal lines’ product offering.

Drew was then head-hunted to join Innovation Group in South Africa as Commercial Director. In 2019 Drew was brought across to the Australian branch of Innovation Group to lead operations in her capacity as Managing Director.

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Madison Seymour

Johns Lyng Group
National Account Manager - Brokers

Madison Seymour

Madison Seymour is a National Broker Account Manager for ASX-listed integrated building service provider - and UAC Business Services Member - Johns Lyng Group.

Madison has worked within the insurance industry for nine years. She entered the sector in a marketing capacity, supporting a large Insurance Brokerage and their Authorised Representative network for two years. Madison then managed the commercial relationships and business development for industry publication, Insurance News, for five years. This role marked the beginning of her relationship with the Underwriting Agencies Council – she has been an active participant of and advocate for UAC ever since.

Madison was appointed to the UAC Voting Member Sub-Committee in 2023. She is passionate about supporting the members that deliver valuable solutions to the intermediated market and make UAC possible, and she’s excited to be part of UAC’s strategic growth.

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Expo Evolution

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Sheri Andrews

BAIS insurance technology
Head of Client Services & Marketing

Sheri Andrews

My career started with seven years at Zurich, first in Underwriting, and then later as EDI Co-ordinator. I moved into the technology space when I joined BAIS in 2001 where I have had roles in Training, Support and more recently, Client Services and Marketing.

As a business service member of UAC, BAIS has been exhibiting at the Expos for the last 5 years. I’m excited to be a part of the Expo Evolution sub-committee working to ensure these Expos continue to provide opportunities and benefits to both UAC members and brokers.

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Paul Bloxsome

Sedgwick Australia
Global Specialty Markets Manager

Paul Bloxsome

Paul oversees claims appointments from the Lloyd’s and London Market / Underwriting Agencies – including losses from outside of the ‘traditional’ property, liability and marine segments. These can be individual, open market claims, or binder business from many sources, including syndicates, brokers – or indeed underwriting agencies.

His insurance career of 30+ years has provided experience in underwriting, broking and, more recently claims management, both in Australia and his native UK. He is a strong believer in providing the best in customer service through both managing expectations and delivering on or exceeding the agreed parameters.

Outside of the core responsibilities of his role, he engages in the development of Sedgwick’s ESG program (focusing on the environmental sector) and recently joined several committees, including the Australian arm of the Lloyd’s Development Group and, of course, the UAC’s Expo Evolution sub-committee.

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Natasha Gale

ARAG Services Australia
CEO

Natasha Gale

As a people-focused leader, embracing change and motivating individuals and organisations to do the same has been at the heart of my career. For over 25 years, working in the Banking, Premium Funding and Insurance industries with organisations like Westpac, Allianz and Wesfarmers, I have been instrumental in helping deliver strong business outcomes in both the good, the difficult, and uncertain times.

The true value I bring comes from my diverse career, across many and varied roles in the Financial Services sector. These roles have included front line and leadership roles in sales, underwriting change and transition management.

The one constant in all roles has been my focus on people, and my passion for leading a business through rapid change and growth. As an authentic people leader, I am driven to inspire and mentor others to deliver commercial and cultural outcomes. Now leading a Underwriting agency that is a subsidiary of an International Insurer, disrupting the current status quo.

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Trang Ha

Descartes Underwriting Australia
Business Development Director

Trang Ha

Have been involved with the UAC since 2011 and is proud to be a member of the Expo Revolution Sub-Committee - hoping to make a difference.

During my 15 years of being in insurance, I have really enjoyed building rapport with clients, broker, insurers and other service providers. Their valuable relationships have helped me get to where I am today.

Currently a committee member of the Lloyds Development Group (LDG) to help insurance professionals with their networking and personal developments. My approach to life is best summed up by Audrey Hepburn: ‘Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!”

I love a challenge and I’m competitive. For fun, I love to travel the world to run marathons.

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Gabriele McDonald

Protecsure
CEO & Managing Director

Gabriele McDonald

Gabriele is CEO & of Managing Director Protecsure, an underwriting agency located in Sydney that specialises in Equipment insurance for mobile assets and Liability for sole traders and micro businesses.

With nearly 40 years experience in the insurance industry, Gabriele is a highly accomplished executive leader who holds expert knowledge in intermediary and underwriting agency business procedures and practices.

Gabriele demonstrates her ongoing commitment to the industry by her continued involvement in mentoring programs and the ANZIIF Awards judging panel. Gabriele is a Tier 1 Qualified Insurance Broker, Certified Executive Coach and AICD Member.

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Matthew Porteous

Market Lane Insurance Group
Head of Partnerships & Engagement

Matthew Porteous

Matt Porteous is the Head of Partnerships & Engagement at Market Lane Insurance Group. Originally established in 2019 as ‘The Barn Underwriting Agency’, Market Lane is a privately owned and operated commercial insurance underwriter based in Sydney. Market Lane has a simple mission – “to create a world-class diversified insurance underwriting and distribution business for today and tomorrow”

Matt is a relatively new face to the Insurance Industry, joining Market Lane in September 2020 after a successful 15-year career in the Food & Beverage sector. Most notably as a National Account Manager for some of Australia’s largest hospitality and leisure venues hosting some of the world’s biggest and most exciting events.

Matt is a naturally energetic and enthusiastic business leader who has enjoyed the challenge of learning the insurance ropes in recent years, whist applying his unique sales and marketing experiences to build and establish the Market Lane Group brands, including The Barn, G.O.A.T, Fairlight and MLX.

Many in the industry have met Matt as the ‘man at the stand’ representing Market Lane at all UAC expos and industry events and he is truly excited to bring the same fresh approach, enthusiasm and unique experience to the Expo Evolution Sub-Committee.

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Business Service Membership

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Jesse Borthwick

Insurance Investment Solutions
Chief Underwriting Officer

Jesse Borthwick

Jesse has more than 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry, including as a technical underwriter for a large strata underwriting agency and as a broker. He has also worked with strata management companies. Jesse is one of the most respected, highly sought after technical property and strata underwriters in the Asia Pacific region.

He holds underwriting authorities up to $350m ($100 PML). Jesse’s expertise is sought after by leading strata industry organisations and other property underwriting agents in Australia for his guidance and advice. Similarly, the intermediary market eagerly engages with Jesse to better understand their own portfolios.

Jesse has comprehensive experience in senior, technical and consultative roles. His underwriting and analytical skills have enabled him to develop strata-specific rating models, including tools that effectively manage strata risks above the 25th parallel. The is-Strata rating model is a bespoke application where each risk is underwritten by a person and priced on its individual merits. Multiple rating factors are considered for each risk.

Jesse has proven ability to manage large underwriting portfolios. He opened greenfield strata underwriting agency Longitude in 2012, which grew to more than $80m GWP.

His comprehensive understanding of the strata environment, experience in senior positions, and ability to develop rating models enable him to effectively balance the tensions between statutory requirements, portfolio management, underwriting guidelines, and the need to offer competitive, innovative products to the market.

Jesse’s understanding of the complex nature of pricing risk will enable IIS to become a market leader in the strata environment. While he predominantly focuses on IIS’s technical performance, Jesse is also actively involved in corporate management and strategic direction of the company.

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Troy Filipcevic

Emergence
Chief Executive Officer

Troy Filipcevic

Troy Filipcevic is the Founder and CEO of Emergence, a specialised underwriting agency exclusively dedicated to providing insurance solutions for Cyber risks. Emergence operates in both Australia and New Zealand.

Prior to launching Emergence, Troy played key leadership roles at Suncorp, where he served as the Head of Strategy. He also held positions in Partnering & Operational Excellence, where he spearheaded initiatives to enhance business performance, and in the Technology division, where he led the development and execution of the technology strategy.

Prior to Suncorp, Troy worked as a management consultant at Deloitte, focusing on Innovation and Corporate Strategy. During this period, he managed the internal innovation program and provided consulting services to businesses, advising on innovation, strategy, and operational improvements.

Troy’s educational background includes qualifications as a Mechanical Engineer, a Bachelor of Business, and an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM).

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Tetiana George

Curium
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

Tetiana George

Tetiana is the CEO and Co-Founder of Curium, a no-code tech platform that runs end-to-end claims and compliance.

During the past 17 years Tetiana has worked for most of the large global insurers as consultant with the Boston Consulting Group and Oliver Wyman (part of Marsh McLennan Group). She advised firms in more than 20 countries across variety of areas from strategy to operations and product design.

Tetiana came to Australia in 2017 and joined Blue Zebra Insurance as Head of Claims & Operations. Having experienced the power of technology firsthand, she started Curium to enable the underwriting agencies and brokers to enter the market and scale in record time.

Outside of work, Tetiana is an artist, a vivid traveller, and a mother of two children.

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Richard Hardy

Argenta Underwriting Australia
Underwriting Director - Sydney Branch

Richard Hardy

Richard has over 35 years insurance and reinsurance experience commencing in the London Market within claims and treaty classes before specialising in Property D and F writing worldwide ex USA and Canada.

He moved across to Australia in the mid 90’s and have experience in large corporations QBE, ACE holding various senior portfolio positions at both product and branch levels and has been associated with the Australian Agency market since 2014.

Argenta Underwriting Australia (AUA) was established in 2015 as a new branch of Argenta’s Singapore-based subsidiary, Argenta Underwriting Asia Pte Ltd.

Located at Lloyd’s Sydney platform, AUA operates as an approved service coverholder for Argenta’s Lloyd’s Syndicate 2121. AUA offers Australian access to the full range of products available from Argenta’s Lloyd’s Syndicate 2121.

We offer Property lines of business for APAC providing coverholder, open market direct and facultative capacity.

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Ken Keenan

Pen Underwriting
Chief Executive Officer

Ken Keenan

Ken Keenan has over 35 years of insurance industry experience across numerous countries. He was appointed Pen chief executive in January 2018. Prior to this, he spent 10 years in Canada in a variety of roles, including CEO at Gallagher’s Canada, President at Noraxis Capital Corporation and President at Canadian Northern Shield.

Earlier in his career, Keenan worked with RSA Zurich and Eagle Star in Ireland. He also spent two years with Eagle Star in the UK. In his role with Pen, Keenan has overall responsibility for the direction and performance of the Pen business. “It is all about the people, the wonderful team members we have right across the Pen business, including those in its service centre in India, the people who work in the brokers we deal with across Australia every day who trust us to provide great solutions for their clients and finally, the incredible support we get from the executives and underwriters at the insurance companies we represent,” Keenan says.

Keenan lives in Sydney and is excited to have just been approved for his Australian citizenship.

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Tesh Patel

Delta Insurance Australia Pty Ltd
Managing Director

Tesh Patel

Tesh Patel is the Managing Director of Delta Insurance Australia Pty Ltd.

He began his career in the UK as a graduate trainee at British Insurer Royal & Sun Alliance (RSA Group) in 2002, and specialised in underwriting Professional and Financial Risks (ProFin). In 2007, he moved to Singapore to head up the Singapore ProFin team and then the Asian and Middle East team.

Tesh moved to Australia in 2010 joining Wesfarmers Insurance holding several roles in the Professional Risks and Casualty space. In 2014 he moved in Portfolio Management at IAG, and held several Executive roles in this space, including Executive Manager for Commercial Portfolios, with responsibility for establishing and achieving business plans and defining pricing and underwriting strategy for each portfolio alongside P&L performance.

He was part of the team to set up Delta Insurance in 2022 and is passionate about driving the industry forward, to ensure better service for clients and increasing the education, skills and knowledge in insurance.

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Richard Thomas

Proclaim
National Manager, Insurance

Richard Thomas

I am a NZ qualified solicitor who has been with Proclaim for 20 years. I began my career in insurance as a liability specialist and I continue to manage a portfolio of high value and complex public and product liability claims. I have, at various times, managed the Liability, Professional Risk, Property and Accident and Health teams. I have taken a lead role in developing Proclaim’s client base among insurers with a particular focus on the underwriting agency distribution channel.

My current role in Proclaim’s management team includes CRM and BD responsibilities as well as contract reviews, compliance and managing complaints.

Developing and maintaining relationships with clients and other stakeholders is one of the most enjoyable parts of my role and I continue to find the underwriting agency sector both fun and dynamic.

In my free time I enjoy coaching kids cricket as well as playing senior cricket alongside my eldest son. I am a member of Whitehorse City Brand Band – Victorian State D Grade champions now promoted to C Grade. I also enjoy trail running and I have completed 14 Ultramarathons with more planned.

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John White

Gallagher Bassett
Head Of Sales & Client Services

John White

With over 29 years’ experience in the finance sector, John is responsible for the development and retention of partnerships at Gallagher Bassett.

Prior to joining GB, John held senior sales and operational management roles at Great Southern Bank, Allianz Partners and RACQ.

He is passionate about the industry and actively drives change through the development of future leaders and implementing new approaches to meet organisational growth objectives.

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