Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
Tracy-Lee Kus is the commercial risk leader for Aon in Asia-Pacific and has more than 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, working in South Africa and the UK.
Kus, now based in Singapore, began her insurance career at a specialist underwriting agency in Johannesburg, where she worked in both underwriting and broking. She has a background originally in financial lines across professional indemnity, financial institutions and management liability and now works across all industries, from renewable energy to risk consulting, commencing in her current role at Aon in 2021.
Kus is known for her ability to drive growth by building strong client capability while supporting resilient teams that operate effectively and strengthening the talent pipeline. She is a strong advocate for the insurance industry, thriving on the ability to connect, solve problems and learn.
A leader in diversity and inclusion, Kus mentors and coaches women at different career stages with a focus on bringing in talent from many different environments. She holds a B.Com. Hons. (Econ) from the University of the Witwatersrand and a B.Sc. Literature from The Open University.
2 Shenton Way, #26-01 SGX Centre 1, Singapore
+65 9248 4841
tracy-lee.kus@aon.com
linkedin.com/in/tracy-lee-kus-7235622b
aon.com/apac
Tracy-Lee Kus
Head of Commercial Risk, Asia-Pacific
Aon
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“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
2000–2006
2006–2008
2008–2011
2011–2021
2021–present
2000–2002: CEO at Antares MGA Johannesburg
2002–2006: Director at Aon London
2000–
2006
Financial Lines Director at Axis London
2006–
2008
Underwriter at Novae London
2008–
2011
Managing Director, Business Unit Leader – Financial and Professional Lines, Global Broking Centre at Aon (London), UK and GBC Executive Member
2011–
2021
Head of Commercial Risk, Asia Pacific at Aon (Singapore)
2021–
present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
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