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
With an impressive 30 years in the general insurance industry, including two decades in senior management and leadership roles, Jenny Bax stands out as a highly driven, strategic and qualified insurance professional. She is also a founding member and the current chair of ANZIIF’s General Insurance Faculty Advisory Board.
As a Certified Insurance Professional, Bax’s commitment to lifelong learning is evident in her achievements – a Graduate Diploma in Insurance and a Master of Business Administration from Deakin University.
Throughout her career, Bax has contributed to leading insurers, holding various operational and management positions both in Australia and overseas.
Bax assumed the role of inaugural CEO at the Underwriting Agencies Council, where her passion lies in shaping the organisation’s future and providing its members with a roadmap for success.
Gillis Delaney Lawyers, Level 40, 161 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
0423 758 653
jenny.bax@uac.org.au
linkedin.com/in/jenniferlbax
uac.org.au
Jenny Bax
Chief Executive Officer
Underwriting Agencies Council
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Milestones
“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
2019–2020
2020–2021
2022–2023
Present
Present
Senior Portfolio Director at Allianz Insurance
2019–
2020
General Manager, Underwriting Agencies at Allianz Insurance
2020–
2021
2022–2023: National Development Manager at Ansvar Insurance
2023: Recognised and included in Insurance Business’ Global 100 list
2022–
2023
Chief Executive Officer at the Underwriting Agencies Council since 2023
Recognised as one of “The Most Influential Women in the Insurance Industry” by Insights Success
Present
Received various accolades in his career, such as IAG Leader of the Year across all divisions early in his leadership career and runner-up for the Australian Institute of Management Young Manager of the Year
Participated in various international leadership scholarships and programs, including at London Business School and national Diversity and Inclusion Leadership awards
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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