Senior appointments at Gallagher Bassett Australia, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and Moray & Agnew will change leadership across claims management, prudential supervision and insurance litigation.
Gallagher Bassett Australia has appointed Scott Newland (pictured) as head of sales and client services - general insurance, following more than 20 years in the insurance industry. Newland has spent approximately a decade with Gallagher Bassett, most recently as general manager - general insurance, and previously leading its Australian claims operations and services division.
In his new position, Newland will oversee sales and client services for the general insurance business across government, carrier, corporate and Lloyd's of London markets. "The last few years working in Gallagher Bassett's general insurance division have been some of the most rewarding of my career, and I am looking forward to working closely with our clients and more broadly the market," Newland said. He added that the team expects to double in size over the next five years, describing the target as ambitious but achievable on the basis of the division's existing expertise and partnerships.
For brokers managing claims through Gallagher Bassett, that growth ambition has a practical dimension. A firm actively expanding its sales and client services capability - and targeting significant headcount growth - is signalling investment in its distributor and partner relationships rather than consolidation. Brokers with existing Gallagher Bassett arrangements, or those evaluating claims management options, should factor that trajectory into their assessments.
David Bradbury has commenced a five-year term as APRA deputy chair, with responsibility for overseeing the regulator's work in superannuation. His appointment completes APRA's new executive board following Treasurer Jim Chalmers' announcement of Bradbury and Therese McCarthy Hockey as deputy chairs in July. McCarthy Hockey, an APRA member since October 2022, continues to oversee banking. APRA member Suzanne Smith retains responsibility for general, life and private health insurance.
APRA chair John Lonsdale said Bradbury's background in economic policy, regulation and public administration would complement the board's existing expertise.
Law firm Moray & Agnew has appointed Daniel Stoddart as partner and John Deegan as special counsel in Newcastle, strengthening its insurance litigation and commercial disputes capability.
Stoddart joins with nearly 30 years of insurance litigation experience, advising insurers and self-insured companies on catastrophic injury claims, indemnity disputes, fraudulent claims, media-sensitive matters and economic loss. His practice spans compulsory third party, public liability, property damage recovery and section 151Z recovery claims, and includes Court of Appeal matters. "I am thrilled to join Moray & Agnew and be part of such a dynamic, collaborative and innovative national insurance team. I look forward to partnering with our clients to navigate and overcome their legal challenges together," Stoddart said.
Deegan brings more than 10 years of litigated disputes experience across the District, Supreme, Federal and appellate courts, covering commercial litigation, dispute resolution, general insurance and professional indemnity. He has advised government entities and regulators on commercial and contractual matters, and represented insurers and professionals in construction and PI disputes.
For brokers whose clients face disputed claims or indemnity questions, the depth of Stoddart's specific practice areas - CTP, public liability, property damage recovery and section 151Z - is the more relevant signal from this appointment than the firm's broader growth. Moray & Agnew's Newcastle base also positions the team for instructions from brokers and insurers managing claims across regional New South Wales.
