Insurance businesses have announced leadership changes across Australia, with specialist insurer Relm Insurance appointing Timothy Powell to lead its Asia-Pacific expansion and law firm Moray & Agnew adding two partners to its government practice in Perth.
Relm Insurance has appointed Timothy Powell as head of Asia-Pacific and global head of underwriting performance, establishing its first dedicated leadership presence in the region. Based in Sydney, Powell will oversee the insurer’s expansion across Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, with potential future opportunities in New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and mainland China. According to Relm, its underwriting focus in Asia-Pacific will align with its existing approach in Bermuda, the Middle East and North Africa, the UK, and the US. The insurer said it will focus on emerging industries, including digital assets and web3, space technology, fintech, artificial intelligence, and alternative therapeutics.
Powell joins Relm after senior underwriting roles with global insurers including Everest and Zurich, where he managed financial lines and cyber portfolios across multiple markets. He returns to Australia after several years based in London and brings experience working with brokers across the Asia-Pacific region. “Relm has established a clear value proposition supporting emerging industries and advanced technology risk, and I see a significant opportunity to bring that expertise closer to brokers across Asia-Pacific. I’m looking forward to reconnecting with brokers and clients across Australia and the wider region and partnering as their specialist insurance provider to support the development of emerging markets in the region,” Powell said.
Relm chief underwriting officer Shane Doyle said Powell would be responsible for continuing the company’s underwriting approach and supporting its regional presence. “We are thrilled that someone of Tim’s experience and leadership caliber has joined us. He brings deep underwriting expertise, strong relationships across the market, and a practical understanding of what it takes to build a business,” Doyle said. He said Powell would also focus on ensuring Relm continues to deliver “above market ROEs” and support underwriters in developing solutions for emerging risks.
Moray & Agnew has appointed Ashley Burgess (pictured right) and Daphne Jones-Bolla (pictured left) as partners within its Perth government team. Burgess joins the firm from the Australian Government Solicitor, where he advised clients on government administrative law litigation across tribunals and courts. He has more than 15 years’ experience in areas including immigration, Commonwealth compensation, veterans’ entitlements, social security, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) matters, and government regulatory law.
Burgess has appeared as solicitor-advocate before the Administrative Review Tribunal, the Federal Circuit and Family Court, and the Federal Court of Australia. “I’m excited to join Moray & Agnew and contribute to a highly regarded Government practice. The firm’s strong reputation, collaborative culture, and national platform provide an excellent opportunity to support clients in navigating complex administrative law issues and achieving practical, effective outcomes,” Burgess said.
Jones-Bolla will join the firm after a decade with a national law firm, where she most recently served as special counsel. She has experience representing Commonwealth agencies in administrative law litigation before the Administrative Review Tribunal and Commonwealth courts. Her practice covers government matters including immigration, NDIS, social security, Commonwealth compensation, and veterans’ entitlements.
Moray & Agnew government team head partner Ben Mason said the appointments would expand the firm’s administrative law capability. “Ashley and Daphne bring outstanding depth of experience in administrative law and a proven track record representing Commonwealth agencies in complex, high-stake matters,” Mason said.
Perth managing partner Phil Keays said growth in the government practice reflected demand for advice across administrative law matters. “The continued growth of our government practice in Perth reflects the increasing demand from clients for high-quality, strategic advice across the full spectrum of administrative law,” Keays said.
