The Underwriting Agency Council has announced a new board member as it looks to strengthen ties with New Zealand.

Mike Street, a director of property and casualty with Auckland-based IUA, will join the board as an associate director, it has been announced.

Street has 40 years’ experience in the industry having started as a trainee broker, he joined IUA in 2002 which was the first underwriting agency in New Zealand to join UAC.

With nine UAC members now based in New Zealand general manager of UAC, William Legge, hopes that the appointment of Street encourages expansion across the ditch.

“This move will facilitate communications between the board and our New Zealand-based members and UAC is delighted to welcome Mike Street to our governing body,” Legge said.

“As UAC’s New Zealand membership grows, and we have more member events there, it is important for us to get direct input from the New Zealand agencies via an associate director.”