The Executive Leadership Team

Jason Hammond

MBA, BBus, CPA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Jason joined Ansvar as Chief Executive Officer with more than 20 years’ executive and board‑level experience leading organisations across Australia and Asia. He is recognised for delivering sustained performance improvement through operating model redesigns that strengthen accountability and employee engagement.

Most recently, Jason was Chief Executive Officer, Asia for QBE, accountable for a multi‑country business across five markets. He led a successful turnaround through a strategic refocus, delivering efficiency gains and improved service to brokers and customers. His ability to engage constructively with stakeholders has been a defining feature of an insurance career which has showcased deep expertise in strategy execution, governance, and culture‑led change.

Peter Bailey

B. Math., Dip. Ed., ANZIIF (Senior Associate), AFAIM, MAICD CHIEF UNDERWRITING OFFICER AND DEPUTY CEO

Peter Bailey 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.

Most recently, Peter was Head of Portfolio Solutions for AIG Australia with responsibility for developing and executing growth strategies in the SME Commercial Lines market. In addition, Peter’s accountabilities extended to include stewardship and strategic direction of AIG’s multi-line Managing General Agency (MGA) portfolio.

Peter holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics & Statistics, is a Senior Associate of the Australian & New Zealand Institute of Insurance & Finance, an Associate Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Maggy Samaan

Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Master of Laws (LLM) COMPANY SECRETARY AND LEGAL COUNSEL

Maggy has more than sixteen years of experience as a Corporate Legal Counsel and Company Secretary having worked in public, private and non-for-profit sectors.

Over her career, Maggy has worked in a range of functions including corporate governance, risk management, compliance, commercial contract drafting, M&A and held executive director, corporate secretarial, and legal counsel positions advising management and boards.

Maggy specialises in corporate advisory, including contract and commercial law.

Jim Elliott

BSc (Chem/Mgt Sc.), FCCA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Jim Elliott was appointed as Chief Financial Officer in April 2023. Jim has come to Ansvar from IAG where he worked in a number of senior financial roles and most recently was the Acting CFO for IAG Australia.

Prior to IAG, Jim worked in a range of senior financial roles with The Warranty Group, MLC & NAB Wealth and Aviva Australia.

John Connor

MSci (Hons) FIAA CERA CHIEF RISK OFFICER

John joined Ansvar Insurance in 2024 and brings over 20 years of experience across insurance, banking and enterprise risk management. Prior to joining Ansvar, John was Chief Risk Officer at AIG Australia. He has also held the role of Chief Actuary and other senior and executive positions, including roles with ANZ, Helia, Westpac and PwC.

John is a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and a Chartered Enterprise Risk Actuary. He holds a Master’s degree in Physics, and has extensive experience in actuarial practice, risk management, and regulatory compliance. He has also founded and led Insurtech ventures, providing practical insight into technology-enabled insurance models and digital innovation in financial services.

James Dimitriou

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) GENERAL MANAGER, CLAIMS

James holds a Bachelor of Laws and was an admitted Solicitor in Victoria before pursuing his executive career in the Insurance industry.

James is a seasoned claims professional with over 30 years of experience leading claims divisions across both short and long tail classes across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. His background has involved new ventures, transformations and operational excellence initiatives.

Most recently, James was Head of Claims at Zurich Australia New Zealand General Insurance, as well Claims Partnerships and Programs, where he led claims outcomes across corporate, commercial and personal lines partnerships. Prior to that, James led IAG’s Short Tail Claims.

As a former lawyer, James leverages his deep claims experience and market standing to bring Ansvar’s claims value proposition to life every day for our clients and partners.

Kate Klease

B.Bus (Mktg, Psych), MBA, MAICD GENERAL MANAGER, PEOPLE AND CULTURE

Kate is a senior people and business executive with over 20 years’ experience across a broad range industries including insurance, technology, management consulting and not-for-profit as a Non-Executive Director. Her background has been heavily involved in start-ups, M&A integration, distressed and high-transformation environments.

Most recently, Kate was Head of People, Culture & Enablement at Home Trades Hub, a joint venture between RACV and IAG where she led the P&C, Safety, Risk & PMO functions. Prior to that she was Head of Business Partnering at RACV.

Kate holds a Bachelor of Business in Marketing & Psychology and a range of post graduate qualifications, most recently in Disruptive Strategy.

Daniel Churilov

BCom/BIS, Grad Dip FS (Fin Planning), CA GENERAL MANAGER - STRATEGY AND CHANGE

Daniel joined Ansvar in 2018 as the National Operations Manager and was appointed Company Secretary in August 2021. Daniel was appointed to his current position as General Manager Strategy and Change in September 2022.

Prior to joining Ansvar, Daniel worked in a number of senior technical and people leadership roles in general insurance, investments management and superannuation with the VMIA, NAB/MLC, CSR and KPMG.

Matt Dickson

B. Eng. (Chemical) (Hons.) GENERAL MANAGER - TECHNOLOGY

Matt joined Ansvar in 2025 and brings over 25 years’ experience in technology leadership and transformation across financial services, insurance, logistics and communications. Known for building high‑performing teams, he aligns business and technology to deliver operational excellence.

His career includes senior roles and consulting mandates with Metricon Homes, ERGO, Toll Group, Australia Post, AMP, ANZ, Telstra and BHP. He has led reform and turnaround programs, strengthened cybersecurity, advanced migration to cloud, and established assurance frameworks.