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
Jacintha Borg is a regional director and national leader for agribusiness at Aon, with more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. She began her career at Aon working in people risk across workers’ compensation, safety, health and benefits, before moving into the national team in 2017 to look after general insurance.
Borg now leads a team of four branches across NSW that provide risk, placement and advisory services to Aon’s regional-based clients, and leads Aon’s agribusiness strategy. Over the years, her career aspirations have become more about expanding her breadth of experience.
“On more than one occasion, I’ve taken a sidestep or a completely different role, embracing the opportunity to dive into something new. If you’re willing to take a risk and back yourself, there is no shortage of experiences available,” she says.
Sharing her thoughts on the insurance industry, Borg says her hope is that insurance will start being an industry that people actively seek out and select.
“The insurance industry is diverse and incredibly rewarding. I genuinely love the mix of experience, and it’s encouraging to see brokers and insurers both working to attract more young talent to the industry.”
Suite 1350, Glebe Road, The Junction, NSW 2291
+61 434 323 194
jacintha.borg@aon.com
linkedin.com/in/jacintha-borg-55a95163
aon.com
Jacintha Borg
Regional Director and National Director, Agribusiness
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
1999
2007
2015
2017
2022–present
Started her career in insurance
1999
Joined Aon as a consultant in people risk solutions
2007
Appointed as Client Director for NSW, overseeing the workers’ compensation, private health, salary continuance, safety, and health & benefits teams
2015
Joined Aon’s national team, moving into general insurance as Assistant Branch Manager, and then to Branch Manager and then Regional Director
2017
Added National Director of Agribusiness to existing Regional Director role
Led the execution for Aon’s successful partnership as the major sponsor of AgQuip Field Days
One of 50 awardees globally for Aon’s inaugural Living Our Values awards
2022–
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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