Headquarters:

Sydney

Year founded:

2007

Number of employees:

Phone:

1300 800 772

Email:

info@berkleyinaus.com.au

Website:

berkleyinaus.com.au

LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/company/berkley-insurance-australia

“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”

Saray Uribe, CharSan Insurance & Consulting

Tony Wheatley

Chief Executive Officer

Matthew McPhee

National Underwriting Manager

Barbara Stenning

National Head of Claims

Leadership

Tony Wheatley has over 35 years of experience in underwriting, claims, reinsurance and portfolio management. His expertise lies largely in the PI, D&O and medical malpractice classes, having worked his way through various underwriting positions before moving into management roles. Joining WR Berkley in July 2012, his background includes a broad expertise in managing insurance companies, managing general agents, and insurance and reinsurance portfolios. Wheatley and the management team at BIA are committed to ensuring that the best possible products and services are provided to brokers through local underwriters, who are empowered to make decisions with the expectation that service, in the broadest sense, is at the core of the company’s operations.

Chief Executive Officer

Tony Wheatley

Matthew McPhee has over 30 years of experience in the casualty classes (PI, ML, D&O and GL), having worked for international insurance brokers and underwriters in Australia and London. He has a reputation for ensuring that insurance brokers and their clients receive excellent service and professional advice in his chosen specialty. McPhee has a commerce degree, is a fellow of the Australian Insurance Institute, and was a member of NIBA when he was a broker.

National Underwriting Manager

Matthew McPhee

Barbara Stenning leads the team as the national head of claims for BIA. Her extensive experience in claims management, with a particular focus on the defence of complex litigated and non-litigated claims in all specialty lines of business underwritten by BIA, makes her one of the insurance industry’s most experienced claims professionals. Stenning has held various high-profile leadership roles across the insurance industry over a 20-year period. Most notably, she was the CEO of a leading American insurer in Australia. She combines these experiences with qualifications in law and health. Stenning’s unique profile brings to her clients a highly developed understanding of a wide and complex range of issues.

National Head of Claims

Barbara Stenning

“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”

Saray Uribe, CharSan Insurance & Consulting

Leadership

“A true leader can see potential in different employees, regardless of their position. Listening and recognizing the value of each individual not only inspires them but also makes them grow professionally”

Saray Uribe, CharSan Insurance & Consulting

Leadership

Paul Bleakley

National Partner Solutions Manager

Paul Bleakley has more than 25 years of experience in PI, D&O and PL, having worked for both international underwriters and international insurance brokers in Australia. In his role as BIA’s national facilities manager, Bleakley has established a culture based on strong relationships with coverholders, ensuring that mutually beneficial business portfolios are developed and supported. He has a commerce degree and an MBA.

National Partner Solutions Manager

Paul Bleakley

Kirsty Owens

National e-Business Manager

Kirsty Owens brings a wealth of knowledge with over two decades of expertise in Professional Indemnity (PI), Directors & Officers (D&O), and Public Liability (PL). Her extensive experience spans across prestigious underwriting and brokerage firms in Australia and London. As the former State Manager for South Australia, Kirsty led a skilled team of underwriters dedicated to meeting the intricate insurance needs of brokers and clients in Adelaide. In her recent transition to the role of e-Business Manager, she applies her significant industry acumen to oversee the strategic growth and management of Berkley Insurance Australia's e-business distribution channels. Kirsty holds a Business Degree and a Master's Degree, and is distinguished as a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF). Her appointment underscores BIA's focus on pioneering digital solutions in the insurance landscape.

National e-Business Manager

Kirsty Owens

Berkley Insurance Australia (BIA) prides itself as Australia’s award-winning specialist insurer, renowned for its world-class general insurance services tailored across various specialist product lines. Embracing a motto of “local teams supporting local brokers,” the company ensures swift responses to requests for quotes, risk submissions and new claims. With accolades such as winning the NIBA General Insurer of the Year in 2020, Insurer of the Year for Insurance Advisernet in 2022 and 2023 and Insurer of the Year for the Insurance Business Brokers on Insurers Awards in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, it’s evident that the personalised service provided by BIA is highly esteemed within its client network. When brokers engage with BIA, they anticipate top-tier treatment for their clients from the company’s dedicated underwriters and claims managers. Armed with specialised knowledge in their respective product lines and extensive understanding of the local insurance landscape, these professionals collaborate seamlessly to furnish brokers with comprehensive solutions to safeguard their clients against the risks inherent in business operations. Exceptional quality from an A+ rated company Belonging to the global W. R. Berkley Corporation, BIA has a rich history of excellence. Being a prominent member of the global insurance community, Berkley has offices in the US, UK, Continental Europe, South America, Canada, Mexico, Scandinavia and the Asia-Pacific region. W. R. Berkley Corporation member insurance companies share the distinction of being rated A+ (Strong) by Standard & Poor’s and A+ (Superior) in Financial Strength by the A.M. Best Company. Fast and attentive service BIA believes that accessibility to clients stands as one of the pivotal factors contributing to its ongoing success. Whenever a broker has a matter to discuss, they are encouraged to reach out to any member of the underwriting team via phone and receive an immediate response. This commitment to constant availability enables brokers to offer prompt support to their clients. Furthermore, BIA has embraced cutting-edge technology by implementing the BindIT platform, leading to a more streamlined approach to underwriting for its clients. With this secure platform, brokers can now swiftly obtain quotes, bind policies and download documents, enhancing efficiency and convenience.

Matthew Dover

Head of Operations

Natalia Child

Head of Broker and Professions CPD

Maxine Owen

Head of Finance

Simon Williams

Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955

Matthew Dover worked at Renovation Insurance Brokers with MD Douglas Brown before becoming part of the launch team for Renovation Underwriting in 2018. As head of operations, he works closely with the underwriting team, holds key relationships with all partners across the insurance sector and is integral to the delivery and performance of multiple, transactional policy portals for the sector.

Head of Operations

Matthew Dover

Natalia Child began her career in insurance in 2012 and, since then, has worked in both underwriting and private client broking. She is chartered, has an advanced diploma in insurance and has a law degree. Passionate about education, Child is responsible for delivering the CDP program and the Contract Works Academy, designed to upskill renovation knowledge and increase confidence across the sector.

Head of Broker and Professions CPD

Natalia Child

With over 30 years of experience in the finance and accounting sector, Maxine Owen has worked in a wide variety of industries, including private medical, vehicle, transport and education. When she joined Renovation Underwriting in 2017, Owen brought with her a deep understanding of corporate treasury and the foreign exchange/money market, along with the management of multi-currency exposure with inter-company transactions. She is also an affiliated member of AAT, the professional body for accounting technicians.

Head of Finance

Maxine Owen

Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.

Partner

Kimi Shah

Partner

Kimi Shah

Partner

Kimi Shah

Sarah M Stewart

Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations

Karen Bannister, CM

Vice President, Marketing

Dave Longbottom

Chief Technology Officer

Alex Ventura

Head of Marketing

Damian Palovick

Senior Vice President of Underwriting AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America

Dr. Mary Lavoie

Head of Risk Management and Senior Vice President AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America

Mark Bernacki

Chief Underwriting Officer

Ryan Armijo

Chief Operating Officer, Underwriting Division

Bob Petrilli

President, Underwriting Division

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Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance

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Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance

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Small business

Saray Uribe, CharSan Insurance & Consulting

“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”

Saray Uribe, CharSan Insurance & Consulting

employee benefits regional retail P&C specialty P&C underwriting direct-to-consumer programs

“Alliant has achieved growth in each of these categories via a potent combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions with plans to continue on this forward trajectory,” explains executive vice president and director, M&A development, Stephen Farr. “Our goal is to achieve strong organic growth, over 10%, augmented by selective and strategic M&A activity.” Breaking down the specific drivers of growth, Farr adds, “Alliant’s P&C verticals have achieved the highest level of growth in the brokerage space, and the company’s generalist producers have also been a beneficiary by virtue of producing more complex, industry-specific accounts via partnerships with Alliant specialty brokers. Our direct-to-consumer business has been growing at a rapid rate via acquisitions and alignment with other Alliant divisions on cross-selling opportunities.” The firm enables its team to work effectively with a synergy-creating structure. Zimmer says, “The Alliant experience is defined by best-in-class teams, service, innovation, and a dynamic and collaborative environment where we work together to achieve powerful, long-term results for our clients and partners. We proactively eliminate walls and silos within our organization, allowing our team members to be both responsive and innovative in their approach to serving clients.” The firm’s profile was boosted with the launch of Alliant Consumer Group, a dedicated unit housing Alliant’s growing portfolio of consumer-facing operations. There was also the creation of the Alliant Insurance Foundation in 2023, a charitable, non-profit organization focused on promoting justice and equality by expanding access to opportunities for career growth and advancement for individuals with diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Alliant also has an active philanthropy program. Across 2023, Alliant professionals collectively raised/contributed:

more than $1 million in funds over $2.3 million in combined monetary and in-kind donations through an annual World Food Derby initiative 2,320 volunteer hours to numerous deserving organizations, making a significant community impact

Alliant’s progress is set to continue, as underlined by Zimmer, who has confidence in the firm’s people to deliver continued excellence. “We believe in our business plan, and it has proven successful. We don’t feel the need to change that. Our core business plan will continue to drive the company forward, complemented by new opportunities that may arise in the future.”

Turnaround time – claims

Turnaround time – new business

Overall