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
Janelle Karnib has an impressive 22 years of dedicated service in the insurance sector. For the last 17 years, she has specialised in marine insurance and has built a reputation as a respected professional with the drive and passion to deliver solutions to her broking clients. During this time, Karnib has held many roles across claims, underwriting and distribution, which included managing and growing an 11-member team. This wide range of experience has culminated in her current role as corporate relationship manager at AM&T, where her focus is to develop, manage and maintain many of the company’s important and key relationships nationwide.
Karnib is a vital piece in AM&T’s ability to build successful relationships in a highly specialised and discerning market. Her remit sits not only across distribution but has an active collaboration across claims and underwriting teams. She works closely with senior and technical underwriters and is comfortable being a conduit between the claims and underwriting teams and broker partners.
Karnib carries this collaborative ethos across all of her relationships and is renowned for her high service standards with an unwavering focus on customers, relationship-building and forward-thinking solutions.
Level 33, 101 Miller Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060
0429206638
claire.burke@chu.com.au
linkedin.com/in/claire-burke-266b33140
chu.com.au
Janelle Karnib
Corporate Relationship Manager
GT Insurance
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
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
2006–2010
2010–2012
2012–2013
2013–2023
2023–present
Marine Underwriter at IAG
2006–
2010
Marine Underwriter at Allianz Australia
2010–
2012
Marine Underwriter at AM&T
2012–
2013
SA and WA Manager at AM&T
2013–
2023
Corporate Relationship Manager at AM&T
Lloyd’s Certificate in Marine Insurance
Senior Associate of Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF)
2023–
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.
•
•
•
•
•