UAC elects new chairman, honours outgoing GM

12 December 2022

Austplacements CEO Heath Amber has been elected as Chairman of the Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC), replacing Lion Underwriting MD Kurt Nilsen who stepped down after nine years on the board.

It is Mr Amber’s second stint as Chairman, having served in the position from 2013-15.

UAC also honoured retiring GM William Legge at a farewell function, ending a 60-year career in insurance. Mr Legge, who was UAC’s first GM and took up that role in 2011 after having served on the board since 2009, will be replaced in early 2023 with UAC’s first CEO.

“Thank you for your dedication,” Mr Nilsen said. “UAC is undoubtably in the position it is today, as the leading industry association for underwriting agencies, due to William’s continued commitment over the past 11 years.”

Last week, there were 12 nominations for vacant director positions at UAC’s annual general meeting in Sydney.

Successfully elected was Blue Zebra Insurance Founder and MD Colin Fagen, and re-elected were Steadfast Underwriting Agencies and Miramar CEO Simon Lightbody, Axis Underwriting Head of Strata and Development Emily Walker, and Mr Amber. Each will serve for two years.

Mr Lightbody is treasurer and Ms Walker is company secretary and public officer, while Allstate Underwriting Founding Director Trent Brown was appointed associate director and assistant treasurer and NTI EGM Mike Edmonds deputy chair.

Mr Brown and Mr Edmonds were not required to stand for election, and neither were board members Canopius Australia executive Jeanene Hill and AFA Insurance national business development manager Anthony Porter.

UAC welcomed 10 new voting members and 15 business service members this year and a record 10 UAC expos around the country are planned next year, including new locations the Gold Coast, Queensland and Wollongong.