Auckland-based underwriting agency Delta Insurance has united its New Zealand business under one leadership team, headed by Andrew Beaton.

Mr Beaton is currently Delta Property MD. That operation is merging with Delta Insurance New Zealand, currently led by Dinesh Murali who will move to a newly created GM Portfolio and Distribution role when the changes take effect on March 31.

The two businesses insure over 24,000 risks in New Zealand.

Group CEO Kent Chaplin says the merger will cut governance and operational costs, and the new entity plans to diversify to offer a broader range of policies and products, while Group Executive Director Underwriting and Co-Founder Craig Kirk says the change is “about greater organisational cohesion”.

"This makes it easier for us to scale in the long term, and it makes it much easier for our partners and customers to transact with us,” he said.

Delta was named underwriting agency of the year for the fifth consecutive time at the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) New Zealand insurance industry awards, while Mr Kirk was crowned insurance leader of the year.

Delta also has offices in Brisbane and Singapore.