Several organisations operating in Australia’s insurance sector have announced senior appointments and promotions, with changes spanning insurance broking, retirement income, and insurance law. The appointments include a new strata insurance leader at Marsh Risk, an expansion of Allianz Retire+’s Queensland distribution team, and a series of partner and senior legal promotions at law firm Sparke Helmore.
Marsh Risk has appointed Justin Gillingham (pictured) as head of strata, bringing more than 20 years of experience in insurance and risk management across Australia and the UK. Gillingham most recently served as a general manager in Marsh’s public sector practice. According to the company, he will lead its strata business as clients face changing property risks and increasing demand for support around asset protection and resident safety. The appointment reflects continued activity within the strata insurance market, where insurers, brokers, and strata managers continue to address property-related risks and claims management challenges.
Allianz Retire+ has appointed Rachel Elfverson as state manager for Queensland as it expands its distribution capability for retirement income products. Elfverson joins from AMP, where she was new business manager for the North platform. She has more than 30 years of experience across wealth management, distribution, and relationship management, with previous roles at AMP, VGI Partners, Pengana Capital Group, and Australian Unity. She has also held industry leadership positions, including serving as president of Women in Finance Queensland, and currently sits on FINSIA’s Queensland Regional Council.
Chief distribution and marketing officers Catherine van der Veen and Lucy Foster said the appointment supports the company’s adviser engagement strategy. “Rachel joins Allianz Retire+ at an exciting time for the business. She brings deep industry experience, strong adviser relationships, and a genuine passion for helping financial professionals deliver better outcomes for their clients. As demand for retirement income solutions grows, expanding our distribution capability ensures more advisers can access innovative products and strategies that help Australians retire with confidence,” van der Veen and Foster said.
The company said uptake of its retirement income product, Allianz Guaranteed Income for Life (AGILE), has increased by 31% since January 2026. Commenting on her appointment, Elfverson said: “I am passionate about helping financial professionals access outstanding products and strategies that improve outcomes for clients while supporting business growth and efficiency. Allianz Retire+ is helping shape the future of retirement income in Australia, and I’m looking forward to working closely with advisers across Queensland to help more Australians achieve confidence and security in retirement.”
The appointment follows the company’s recent announcement that Kiru Anantharaj had joined as senior manager, retirement solutions. The business also noted that chief distribution and marketing officer Catherine van der Veen was recently named Thought Leader of the Year at the Money Management 38th Annual Fund Manager of the Year Awards.
Law firm Sparke Helmore has promoted three lawyers to partner, effective July 1, 2026. The appointments include Stephanie Barclay from the firm’s Specialty Lines practice, Ben Gottlieb from the Workplace team, and Alexandra Kuczerawy from the Casualty team. Barclay specialises in professional indemnity and financial lines claims, advising insurers on indemnity, defence costs, and claims management. Gottlieb’s practice covers employment, industrial relations, workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and litigation, including safety prosecutions and workplace investigations. Kuczerawy represents domestic and international insurers across public liability, property damage, product liability, intentional tort, and coverage matters. All three partners are based in Sydney.
National managing partner Andrew White said: “I am pleased to share that Stephanie, Ben, and Alexandra have joined our partnership. We are committed to recognising and supporting the growth of our people, encouraging them throughout their career journeys. I look forward to seeing Stephanie, Ben, and Alexandra continue to build their teams [and] expand their practices and congratulate them on this well-deserved achievement.”
Separately, Sparke Helmore announced the promotion of 43 lawyers, comprising 13 special counsel and 30 senior associates, with appointments also effective from July 1. The promotions include lawyers across several insurance-related practices, including Statutory Lines Insurance, CTP Insurance, Casualty, Specialty Lines, Workplace, and Government Public & Regulatory. Andrew White said: “Congratulations to our special counsel and senior associates on this well-deserved achievement. Their expertise, dedication to clients, and commitment to our values are central to the firm’s success. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and impact in the years ahead.”
Among those promoted to special counsel in insurance-related practices were Anna Alexandris (Statutory Lines Insurance), Gemma Chew (CTP Insurance), Jason Fletcher (Casualty), Margaret Fox (Casualty), Melanie Shanahan (Casualty), and Nikoletta Louverdis (Specialty Lines). Senior associate promotions included lawyers across CTP Insurance, Casualty, Specialty Lines, Statutory Lines Insurance, Workplace, and Government Public & Regulatory.
