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
Jo Mason has more than 39 years of insurance industry experience, both in New Zealand and Australia.
In July 2016, she was appointed CEO of NZbrokers. Prior to this, she was national manager - underwriting agencies and cluster groups at Allianz Australia, a role that had responsibility for the strategic growth and development of the Specialised Agencies, including Global Transport, Strata Community Insurance and Pet Plan.
Preceding this role, Mason was with IAG for30 years. Her last role was NZI’s GM Corporate and Facilities in Auckland where she helped lead the integration of the Lumley NZ business into IAG.
Mason attended INSEAD business school in France and Singapore, completing an Advanced Management Programme, is a senior associate at ANZIIF, an independent board member of IBANZ, and has gained her Certificate in Financial Services (Level 5).
Unit 101/29 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland
021893668
jom@nzbrokers.co.nz
linkedin.com/in/jo-mason-7b8aa714
nzbrokers.co.nz
Jo Mason
Chief Executive Officer
NZbrokers
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
1987–2006
2006–2016
2013–2024
2016–present
2020–present
1987–1992: Associate Degree - ANZIIF
1999–2004: Branch Manager, NZI at Napier New Zealand (acquired by IAG in 2003)
2002: London Business School, Aviva Worldwide Group Development Programme
2004–2006: State Executive at IAG Tasmania
1987–
2006
2006–2007: State Manager (South Australia), Allianz Aus Ltd, Auckland
2007–2010: General Manager Distribution NZI, Auckland
2010: INSEAD Advanced Management Programme
2010–2012: General Manager, Corporate and Niche Business, NZI, Auckland
2010–2015: Acting EGM (when EGM was on leave), NZI, Auckland
2012–2015: General Manager, Corporate and Niche Business IAG, Auckland
2015–2015: National Manager, Cluster Groups and Specialty Lines Allianz Aus Ltd, Sydney
2015–2016: National Manager, Underwriting Agencies & Cluster Groups, Sydney
2006–
2016
2013–2018: Member of Women’s Council, ANZIIF
2018–2024: Independent Director, Insurance Brokers Association NZ
2019–2020: Level 5 Certificate in Financial Services at PIQ College
2013–
2024
2016–present: CEO, NZbrokers Management
2024–present: Director, McDonald Everest Insurance Brokers
2024: Awarded Honorary Life Member of Insurance Brokers Association NZ
2016–
present
Founding Executive Member for Honey Insurance, a tech-enabled Insurance company, with broad remit including operations, risk and compliance, people and culture, claims, contact centres
Accolades include but are not limited to Leader of the Year at IAG, Linde Group International Global Talent Circle Inductee, Selection in the CommBank Executive Manager Talent Program, Top 10 APAC CX and Contact Centre Executive Influencers, Industry National CX Leader of the Year
Postgraduate qualifications in mathematics, physics, leadership and executive coaching
2020–
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.
•
•
•
•
•