Category: Media Release

We are delighted to announce that Peter Bailey will be joining Ansvar as Chief Underwriting Officer.
Recently coming from AIG Australia as Head of Portfolio Solutions, Peter is a senior financial services executive with over 30 years’ experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry and has held senior leadership positions in both Australia and the London market.

Throughout his career Peter has held a variety of underwriting management and senior management roles at both local and global insurers. He has had extensive experience in driving underwriting strategy to achieve profitable growth, together with developing high-performing teams and building organisational capability. Peter brings diverse commercial & specialty lines experience across all classes of property, casualty and financial lines.

In his new role, Peter will be responsible for setting Ansvar’s underwriting strategy and delivering excellence in pricing, analytics and portfolio management. In addition, Peter will focus on enhancing the underwriting governance frameworks and building organisational capability in technical underwriting. “I’m thrilled to join the Ansvar team and keen to make a real difference by continuing to build and grow a better and stronger business in support of Ansvar’s broader mission of giving back to the community.” says Peter Bailey, Chief Underwriting Officer.

Warren Hutcheon, Chief Executive Officer comments: “We are delighted to have Peter Bailey join us as our Chief Underwriting Officer. Peter is highly experienced, well known within the insurance industry and will undoubtedly be a strong complement to our senior management team. We look forward to Peter’s contribution as a new member of our Executive Leadership Team and guiding the business through the next phase of growth and supporting our goal of growing to give back”.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

John Morrow, National Marketing Manager, 03 8630 3192 / jmorrow@ansvar.com.au

ABOUT ANSVAR

With over 60 years of experience in the Australian insurance industry, Ansvar has become a leading specialist provider of insurance and risk management solutions for the Care Services, Community Services (Not for Profits), Education and Learning, Faith Communities, Arts, Culture and Heritage and Commercial Property Owner sectors. Being part of the Benefact Group, Ansvar also has a long history of giving back to our community through donations, sponsorships and our own Community Education Program designed to help and support disadvantaged young Australians. For more information, visit: www.ansvar.com.au/community-education-program/

After a round of nominations, Insurance Business has recently announced the excellence awardees for the Insurance Business Australia Awards 2024.

This year Insurance Business has introduced new categories including CEO of the Year, Employer of Choice, Philanthropy and Community Service and Lifetime Achievement Prize.

We are pleased to announce Ansvar has been shortlisted as an Excellence Awardee for the inaugural Philanthropy and Community Service award.

Ansvar’s approach to Philanthropy and Community Service is central to our corporate identity as a specialist insurer and risk solutions provider in Australia.  The cornerstone of Ansvar’s philanthropic effort is our Community Education Programme, which supports vulnerable young Australians through empowerment and education as well as outreach programs. Established in 1994, Ansvar’s Community Education Programme is one of the longest-standing philanthropic programmes undertaken by an Australian insurer! For the past 30 years, Ansvar has made a positive impact on the world through grants to community service programmes for disadvantaged and vulnerable Australian youth.

To read the full article: Revealed – Insurance Business Australia Awards 2024 excellence awardees | Insurance Business Australia (insurancebusinessmag.com)

Richard Harding appointed new Independent Non-Executive Director of Ansvar Australia Board.

 I am pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Harding as an Independent Non-Executive Director to the Ansvar Australia Board, effective 1 March 2024.

Richard currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director of Insurance and Care NSW (icare). With over 35 years of financial experience, Richard has spent the last 12 as CEO in the insurance industry with Tower Insurance in New Zealand and the government-owned TIO in the Northern Territory.

Richard’s career encompasses expertise in both short and long-tail insurance classes, along with statutory-regulated schemes including workers’ compensation and compulsory third party insurance. His extensive insurance and commercial experience across both public and private sectors will be a valuable addition to the Ansvar Board.

MEDIA RELEASE FROM INSURANCE BUSINESS NEWS

Earlier this month, the world watched in disbelief as one of Europe’s most treasured landmarks went up in flames – but while the Notre Dame fire was a devastating tragedy, one industry expert says it will also help spark some vital conversations around the risk management of historic buildings.

Warren Hutcheon is the CEO of Ansvar – a risk management and insurance solutions provider which specialises in both the heritage and faith sectors, among others. He says disasters such as the recent Notre Dame fire often prompt owners to reconsider their own risk management strategies.

“Events of this nature do raise awareness with people, and while the events themselves certainly aren’t a good thing, the increased awareness is,” says Hutcheon. “When that awareness has been increased, people start asking questions around whether or not they have sufficient insurance and, more importantly, if they have appropriate risk management in place.”

While nobody – including Hutcheon – wants to capitalise on disaster, major loss events such as the Notre Dame fire do leave clients feeling uncertain and thereby serve as the perfect opportunity for brokers to discuss the development of stronger risk management strategies.

“It’s a good opening for conversations around when they last checked the electricals, when they last performed maintenance on the roof, whether they have the right security in place – everything that’s needed to prevent such an event happening to them,” says Hutcheon.

While prevention methods can be costly, Hutcheon says certain measures should be considered part and parcel of operating a historic or heritage building.

“Society should be thinking about how some of our important buildings need to be carefully protected and well-maintained,” he tells Insurance Business.

“That does require an investment, some of these buildings are very expensive to maintain because of their very nature, but if we don’t do it and we lose them, we’ll never get them back,” he continues.

“So this really is an opportunity for brokers to be talking to their clients around their risk management practices but it’s also an opportunity to discuss the benefits of getting an accurate and up-to-date valuation of the property and its contents.”

Already, more than a billion euros has been pledged to the Notre Dame rebuild efforts and yet it’s thought the final bill will still exceed that figure – this worrying revelation, Hutcheon says, is a good reason for owners of historic or heritage buildings to carry out accurate valuations.

“If you think about some of the historic buildings around Australia, the first thing we want to do is prevent anything happening to them because they’re very difficult to replace – but if something does happen, we want to make sure the client is adequately covered so it can be replaced,” he says.

Much media attention has also been directed at the fate of many historical artefacts within the Notre Dame – including the crown of thorns and the tunic of Saint Louis – which should also prompt brokers to discuss contents with their clients.

“Owners should be asking themselves when they last considered the value of the building but also when they last considered the value of the artefacts and all the important artworks that are inside the building – when did they last do an inventory on that?” he says.

“Those are the types of things that hopefully committees and owners will now be having conversations around – that’s probably the only positive thing that comes from events like these.”

Ansvar Insurance, one of Australia’s leading specialist insurers, has released a new range of Business Insurance products tailored for its market sectors. Ansvar Insurance is committed to continually improving its product offerings and these new policies reflect industry developments as well as emerging risks faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) in Australia.

The new policies are tailored for organisations with less than $10M in assets and/or turnover.

“To ensure our new Business Pack products provided a market leading cover, Ansvar engaged LMI to assist in the development. We proactively undertook this product suite refresh due to changing market conditions and to better meet the evolving needs of our clients,” said Warren Hutcheon, CEO Ansvar.

Along with the new products Ansvar is offering a range of risk solutions tools for SME customers. Services available include risk governance resources, sector risk management forums and workshops, factsheets and checklists, and sector practice standards.

Ansvar’s new SME products offer the following benefits:

Streamlined into four sections
All financial lines including Management Liability
Policy wording tailored to industry sectors such as Child Care, Not-for-Profit, Faith, etc.
Increased limits and improved additional benefits
The four sections of the new products include the following features:

Property and Income

Property protection
Income protection
Full accidental damage
Breakdown of mechanical and electronic equipment
Money and theft
General property
General Liability

Sexual abuse
Limited Medical malpractice
Retroactive liability
Member to member
Trauma counselling costs
Public relations expenses
Organisation Liability

Professional indemnity including public relations expenses, emergency defence costs and run off cover for merger/takeover/sale
Management liability including free legal advice, public relations expenses, outside directorships and unlimited retroactive cover
Personal Accident

No age exclusion
Option to insure volunteers, members, students and children
First line of defence for liability claims
High Risk Activities Extension available

Customers with existing Ansvar Business Pack policies will be transferred to the new policy wordings automatically upon renewal.

Ansvar Insurance, Australia’s leading insurance provider for the Care, Community, Education, Faith, Heritage and Strata sectors, announced the appointment of Michael Grantham as a non-executive director to its board.

Michael’s expertise in transformational change will help ensure that Ansvar is in a strong technological position to remain market leader in its specialty sectors.  With over 30 years’ experience as an information and communications technology professional, Michael will assist Ansvar accelerate its IT strategy, embracing new technologies and maximising on the opportunity from the digital disruption currently impacting the industry.

Michael is a former director of CGU Australia Limited, CGU Insurance Limited and Insurer Network Services and has also held a number of CIO positions with CGU Insurance, Australian Customs and Border Protection and Tenix.

“We are excited to welcome Michael to the Ansvar board.  His vast industry experience and digital expertise is the perfect complement to Ansvar’s commitment to continual improvement and technological innovation,” said Warren Hutcheon, CEO Ansvar Insurance.

“Our board are delighted to have secured the services of Michael. Not only does he know the insurance industry well, he brings excellent commercial judgement and great expertise and experience in the IT and digital space which is becoming so much more important to the success of organisations like Ansvar. His skills and experience are also complimentary to the existing skills and experiences of the current board,” said Nick Barnett, Chairman Ansvar Insurance.

“My role on the board will not be just about accelerating Ansvar’s strategy, but helping them define what a future IT environment looks like for the company.  I am excited to bring a fresh set of eyes to the Ansvar board,” said Grantham.

Ansvar also announced Professor Jennifer George and Mr Bruce Harris have retired as directors of Ansvar at the end of their terms after 11 and six years of service respectively.

“Ansvar thanks Professor George and Mr Harris for their strong and valued contributions to Ansvar and their positive impact on the organisation.  We wish them both the very best for the future” said Hutcheon.

Ansvar Insurance, Australia’s leading insurance provider for the Care, Community, Education, Faith, Heritage and now Property Strata, today announced a partnership with CSI Strata Underwriting to offer insurance solutions to strata communities across most of Australia, launching Ansvar into a new business sector.

Ansvar currently offers risk solutions to many properties in the heritage and community sectors, so the venture into the property strata market is a natural evolution of Ansvar’s offering and a logical extension of existing capabilities.  Ansvar’s entry into the property strata sector aligns with the strategies of Ansvar’s UK parent, the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, and the Group’s strength in providing risk management solutions for property investors.

“The strata sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in Australia. Ansvar’s strengths in providing the most robust risk and insurance solutions to properties in other sectors makes the strata community a logical addition to the Ansvar portfolio,” said Warren Hutcheon CEO Ansvar.

CSI Strata Underwriting is an underwriting agency currently servicing over 120 strata insurance brokers.  “What better partner for Ansvar than CSI, who have a formidable footprint in this country and whose sole focus is strata insurance.   We’re confident this partnership will help us on our journey to fulfill our vision for this new sector,” Warren said.

John Lillie, General Manager, CSI Strata Underwriting, said “Ansvar’s reputation for protecting community-based organisations is second to none. We are pleased to have this additional facility so that we can offer Australian strata communities in larger strata schemes the knowledge and security that their insurance is placed with a reputable and community-oriented insurer like Ansvar.”

“With Ansvar’s vast experience and strengths, this new partnership means we can offer our support to strata brokers nationwide by providing broader cover with higher limits,  to meet legal obligations and the practical needs of protecting property,” John said.

The partnership between CSI and Ansvar was formalized last week, with the Ansvar underwritten product available through CSI from 8th April 2016.

Ansvar Insurance today announced the appointment of two newly created roles. John Leavey has been appointed to the new position of National Manager for Northern Strategic Partners. Hannah Sparkes also joins Ansvar in a newly created position, as Business Development Underwriter for SA & NT. Further assignments include Darren Fennessy assuming the position of Casualty Portfolio Manager and Rani Edwards joining the team in NSW as Business Development Underwriting Manager.

Leavey will be responsible for achieving significant growth of the Northern region portfolio across Ansvar’s key sectors. This includes identifying new opportunities and working with the team of experienced underwriters to find solutions for broking partners and clients as well as expanding Ansvar’s offerings to emerging sectors.

Prior to joining Ansvar, Leavey was General Manager NSW for Whitebread Insurance Brokers where he previously held the position of General Manager, Broking. Leavey also spent four years as National Relationship Manager – Key Accounts at CGU Insurance.

“I am excited to join Ansvar and bring my partnership experience to help grow existing broker relationships as well as build new partnerships at both the strategic and operational level,” said Leavey.

The new Business Development Underwriter SA & NT position, filled by Sparkes, will focus on strengthening Ansvar’s relationships in these markets and ensure continued profitable growth across Ansvar’s portfolio.

Prior to assuming this role, Sparkes held several Marine Underwriter positions at AIG Australia and QBE, most recently serving as Senior Marine Underwriter at Chubb.

“South Australia and the Northern Territory provide great opportunities for Ansvar, I am thrilled to be in a position to develop new and build on existing customer relationships by providing innovative underwriting solutions in  these markets,” said Sparkes.

“We have created these positions in recognition of the growth opportunities for Ansvar in these markets. John and Hannah bring a wealth of experience to our teams which will provide a huge benefit for Ansvar clients,” said Ian Ireland, General Manager – Business Development, Ansvar Insurance.

In other appointments, Darren Fennessy joins Ansvar as Casualty Portfolio Manager, where he will be responsible for providing technical underwriting support to all relevant stakeholders as well as aligning risk and compliance management to practices within the Casualty portfolio.

Fennessy brings a wealth of experience to the role having held several senior management positions prior to joining Ansvar including Australian Liability Manager at Arch Insurance, Senior Leader Casualty at Suncorp, National Manager Liability Vero Corporate & National Liability Underwriter at SRS Underwriting Agency.

Rani Edwards assumes the role of Business Development Underwriting Manager for NSW, where she will help drive performance and sales success for the NSW branch. She will also be responsible for growing and developing existing clients as well as generating new underwriting business.

Edwards previously held the position of Business Development Manager at Lumley Insurance, where she managed a significant portfolio of business, with a strong emphasis on profitable new business growth.

Ansvar provides risk solutions to help Whitelion manage risk while providing outstanding services to vulnerable members of the community.

Melbourne, Australia, 30th November 2015: Ansvar Insurance, Australia’s leading insurance provider for the Community sector has announced its retention of Whitelion for the second year in a row.

Whitelion, a Christian organisation that provides support to the disadvantaged has demonstrated its trust in Ansvar by renewing its insurance contract with the firm together with broker EA Insurance. EA Insurance is a specialist provider of insurance and risk management services to faith and not-for-profit organisations throughout Australia and is a long held partner of Ansvar.

Whitelion is a charity that helps some of Australia’s highest risk groups, covering at-risk youth from low socio-economic families and the indigenous community. Ansvar underwrites Whitelion’s property and liability insurance to help provide better quality of life to some of the most disadvantaged members of our community.

Whitelion commenced its relationship with Ansvar in August 2014 and is currently in its second year of helping provide services and support. Ansvar’s relationship with Whitelion is unique and plays to the company’s strengths and heritage in the community and faith sector.

“Whitelion provides an essential service for some of Australia’s most overlooked communities,” said Whitelion CEO Mark Watt. “We are delighted to be working again with Ansvar this year, and helping Whitelion’s brands, including Open Family and Belguard deliver services to help everyday Australians get ahead.”

Ansvar’s risk and support solutions are continually evolving to ensure the company can provide contemporary risk management products and services to help clients manage their unique risk exposures. The company’s sector-specific risk solution products; site risk surveys, education forums, risk publications, fact sheets, checklists and practical tools, reflect a commitment to support customers to deliver their important services to communities across Ansvar’s core sectors of Faith, Community, Care, Education and Heritage.

“Ansvar’s strong risk management foundation has helped the company extend its relationship with Whitelion providing risk solutions to help strengthen the organisation to an internationally-recognised standard,” said Warren Hutcheon, CEO at Ansvar.

“Together with our authorised representative partner EA Insurance, we are very focused on strengthening Whitelion from a risk solutions point of view.  Ansvar’s risk solutions advisors provide specialist advice on operational risk and controls and help with the management of risks right across an organisation from the board to the front line,” Warren said.

Ansvar will provide Whitelion with advice, support, templates and propose to implement a new risk register software to support the ongoing development of Whitelion’s enterprise risk framework.

MEDIA RELEASE

Ansvar Insurance, Australia’s leading insurance provider for the Care, Community, Education, Faith and Heritage sectors, has announced the next series of national education forums in October and November. In addition, Ansvar has announced they will launch two refreshed products at the forums. The forums, titled Emerging Trends in – Care, Community, Not for Profit and Other Sectors are designed to educate and keep brokers and clients up to date with the constantly changing landscape in these highly regulated sectors.

Ansvar has compiled an impressive roster of key note speakers who will be able to add context and relevance to the emerging trends in these sectors. The forums will examine the impact on the insurance industry and detail what this means for clients.

Ansvar will launch the refreshed Industrial Special Risks and Personal Accident products at the forums, allowing brokers and clients to hear how the policies respond to the market directly from Ansvar’s underwriters.

The refreshed Personal Accident policy will now include an all-inclusive insurance policy for both volunteers and/or students, children and members of the insured organisation.  The new policy will also include a high number of automatic extensions, as well as an option to now include high risk activities such as rock climbing and horse riding. Ideal for schools or community groups that engage in adventurous activities and wish to offer their members cover in the event of an injury.

The Industrial Special Risks product now includes the 80% co-insurance clause as standard and allows for deletion of this clause if there is a property valuation not more than three years old. A Heritage protection endorsement extends the protection on any building of historic significance to be reinstated to a reasonably equivalent appearance, using the original design and suitable equivalent materials if damaged. Flood is now automatically included in this policy and it features a market leading schedule of insurance that will be produced with all quotations and renewals. This new policy and schedule has been fully endorsed by the LMI Group.

“From evolving laws and regulations to updated best practice in risk mitigation, the needs of clients who operate in these sectors are always undergoing change and the forums are an essential platform for brokers who service these clients to ensure they are offering the most robust and informed solutions,” says Warren Hutcheon, CEO Ansvar Insurance.

The broker forums are scheduled twice yearly and conducted nationally. See below for October-November forum details: