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
Luke Hill chose a career in motor assessing early, pursuing a deliberate path into the industry. From high school, he set his sights on becoming a motor insurance loss assessor, undertaking a panel beating apprenticeship to build a practical foundation. He moved from Tasmania to Queensland to access greater opportunities, beginning his assessing career with a major insurer, where he built his core experience before returning to Tasmania. He later broadened his exposure with an independent firm, and then joined AAMC.
A pivotal moment came when his family relocated from Tasmania to Victoria to support his appointment as AAMC’s Victorian assessing manager, an opportunity that expanded his industry exposure, strengthened his professional network and prompted further formal study. Since then, Hill has taken on leadership and business opportunities as they arose, progressing to chief operating officer. His inclusion in Insurance Business’ Hot List 2026 reflects a career spent contributing to AAMC’s growth and development over two decades.
As COO, Hill identifies his core challenge as executing strategy and accelerating growth during a period of rapid change, with AI entering the operating environment. Integrating new capability while maintaining focus, quality and momentum defines the role. He attributes results to the people across the business, pointing to their skills, resilience and openness to change as the drivers that turn strategic intent into consistent outcomes.
Over the past 12 months, the motor claims sector has faced a demanding set of conditions. Hill describes shortages in skill, experience and capacity, combined with ongoing supply chain delays, particularly in replacement parts. Compliance requirements have increased in complexity, while customer expectations have continued to rise. These factors have made claims management more difficult and have brought increased scrutiny from both customers and regulators.
“Traditional approaches are now stretched to their limits, and there is a growing recognition throughout the industry that scalable, structured, and specialist solutions are essential to keep pace with these evolving demands,” he says.
Within that environment, Hill positions AAMC’s work as part of the response to these conditions. He describes an approach built on structure, consistency and technical expertise, supported by continued development of the organisation’s model to better serve insurer partners. Growth over the past year, in his view, reflects demand for specialist capability as the sector becomes more complex.
He sees this direction continuing. As claims become more complex, operationally demanding and more costly for underwriters, Hill points to the importance of capability, coverage, capacity and technology in accident management. He identifies a move towards partner-led models that deliver consistency and efficiency without compromising quality.
Hill describes leadership through day-to-day practice. It requires consistency, accountability, curiosity and a willingness to question outdated approaches. He places importance on listening to stakeholders, maintaining clear standards, supporting strong communication and committing to ongoing improvement as conditions change.
“Family life and personal resilience are not separate from career performance. They coexist and directly influence focus, judgement and the ability to lead effectively over the long term,” says Hill.
He works across strategy and continuous improvement, operations and client relationships. This includes staying close to the detail with teams to deliver outcomes and client experience, while also stepping back to consider the organisation’s direction as the sector changes.
His approach to the role is grounded in treating people with respect and fairness, with an emphasis on collaboration, trust and collective effort. He also sees leadership responsibility in recognising the contribution of individuals and teams, reinforcing engagement across the organisation.
Hill points to his career at AAMC as his most significant achievement. He describes the opportunity to be involved in the organisation’s growth and evolution over 20 years as the defining feature.
4/205 Leitchs Rd, Brendale, QLD 4500
0407732538
luke.hill@aamc.com.au
linkedin.com/in/lukehillaamc
Luke Hill
Chief Operating Officer
AAMC
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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
2007–2012
2012–2016
2016–2018
2018–2025
2025–Present
Senior Assessor at AAMC
2007–
2012
Assessing Manager VIC/TAS at AAMC
2012–
2016
National Assessing Manager at AAMC
2016–
2018
National Operations Manager at AAMC
2018–
2025
Chief Operating Officer at AAMC
2025–
Present
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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