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
As the first female state manager at GT Insurance, Samantha Wregg is a professional and motivated business leader responsible for the team in Perth. Her leadership style is to uplift and empower whilst providing unquestionable support.
Wregg started in insurance in 2005 and utilises the various skills obtained through her career to strengthen the team and achieve results through challenging times. She has been an instrumental leader in providing direction, managing change and implementing process to ensure compliance with the regulatory obligations. Her strong points are her ability to understand other people’s perspectives, actively find solutions, and the ability to motivate and inspire the team to enjoy doing the impossible.
Mentoring has played a big role in Wregg’s career. She is an excellent teacher who proactively works to understand her team’s diversity. She encourages staff to be confident in their dealings and importantly creating a space where they feel confident in voicing their thoughts or questions.
Through the support of GT Insurance, Wregg has been fortunate to align with Transafe WA, a not-for-profit industry initiative with the goal to educate on road safety and therefore reduce the number of road accidents.
Level 8, Forrest Centre, 221 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA 6000
0422415024
samantha.wregg@gtins.com.au
linkedin.com/in/samantha-wregg-4575b393
gtins.com.au
Samantha Wregg
State Manager, Western Australia
GT Insurance
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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
2009–2011
2011–2018
2018–2022
2022–2023
2023–present
Workers’ Compensation Underwriter at GIO Insurance
2009–
2011
ISR, Liability and Fleet Underwriter at Vero Insurance
2011–
2018
Business Development Manager at QBE Insurance
2018–
2022
Relationship and Development Manager at GT Insurance
2022–
2023
State Manager WA at GT Insurance
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.
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