Hot List 2021

These 50 men and women overcame the challenges of 2020 to propel Australia's insurance industry toward a better future

Hot List 2021

In 2020, best-laid plans went awry as the COVID-19 pandemic took centre stage. True to form, many in the Australian insurance industry buckled down and used the unprecedented circumstances to further their own development and provide support to clients who were struggling. Insurance Business’ 2021 Hot List highlights 50 key figures who have been highly influential over the past 12 months – and who look set for even bigger things in 2021.

From award-winning young upstarts and industry disruptors through to established veterans who remain at the top of their game, the 50 men and women featured on the following pages are all doing their part to push Australia’s insurance sector forward after the enormous challenges of 2020. Many of this year’s Hot List members highlighted how the advancements in technology and workplace culture discovered in 2020 will be key to the success of a more agile, flexible insurance industry.

Here are the winners of IB Hot List 2021:

  • Gordana Bailey, Business development manager, Allianz Australia
  • Hilary Bates, Chief claims and operations officer, general insurance, Zurich
  • Catherine Carlyon, Head of claims, APAC, AXA XL
  • Peter Chamberlain, Director, allinsure
  • Tony Clark, CEO, NTI
  • Damien Coates, CEO, APAC, DUAL
  • Robert Cooper, Director, Cooper Professional Risks
  • Max Cuzzocrea, Managing director, Maxton Insurance Brokers
  • Nick Daffy, Branch manager, Melbourne, McLardy McShane
  • Demetra Day, Head of major accounts, Chubb
  • Tony Dodd, CEO, GT Insurance
  • Richard Enthoven, CEO, Hollard Australia
  • Colin Fagen, Managing director, Blue Zebra
  • Tim Fairbrother, Director, Brooklyn Underwriting
  • Stefan Feldmann, Managing director, Australia, HDI Global
  • Troy Filipcevic, Managing director, Emergence Insurance
  • Nigel Fitzgerald, CEO, Australia, AIG
  • Brad French, Managing director, SLE Worldwide
  • Kim Gilbert, Director, Zenith Insurance
  • Dale Hansen, CEO, Austbrokers Coast to Coast
  • Karen Hardy, Director, Acme Insurance Brokers
  • Nick Harris, CEO, Pacific, Marsh
  • Nick Hawkins, Managing director and CEO, IAG
  • Ross Hayward, CEO, Premium Funding
  • Elliot Hill, General manager, sales and relationship management, QBE Australia Pacific
  • Jarrod Hill, Country president, Australia and New Zealand, Chubb
  • Robert Kelly, Managing director and CEO, Steadfast
  • William Legge, General manager, Underwriting Agencies Council
  • Sarah Lyons, Chief executive, Australia, Gallagher
  • Vanessa Maher, Senior vice president of claims, Liberty Specialty Markets
  • Ryan Mansom, Head of national energy practice; head of corporate and commercial, WA, Gallagher
  • Don McLardy, CEO, McLardy McShane
  • Mike McShane, Director, McLardy McShane
  • Rhys Mills, General manager, Solution Underwriting
  • Amanda Morris, Managing director, Arma Insurance Brokers
  • Kurt Nilsen, Managing director, Lion Underwriting
  • Hamish McDonald Nye, Executive director, ProRisk
  • Anthony Pagano, Head of commercial intermediaries, Vero
  • Caleb Richards, Branch manager, Wagga Wagga, Gallagher
  • Brad Robson, Executive manager, broker and agency, IAG
  • Joshua Scutts, Principal, Shielded Insurance Brokers
  • Brian Siemsen, Managing director and CEO, Claim Central Consolidated
  • Gary Sim, Principal/director, CCM Insurance
  • Shaun Standfield, Managing director, Australia and New Zealand, Insurance Advisernet
  • Lyle Steffensen, Practices leader, Pacific, Marsh Care Solutions
  • Avi Tatarka, CEO, Scott Winton Insurance Brokers
  • Jesse Thorp, Senior risk adviser/partner, Adroit Insurance & Risk
  • Tony Wheatley, CEO, Berkley Insurance Australia
  • Prue Willsford, CEO, ANZIIF
  • Rita Yates, CEO, Insurtech Australia

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