JLT Australia and New Zealand CEO Leo Demer says there is “no question” about the importance of his division’s contribution to the global broker’s third-quarter result.

Group CEO Dominic Burke last week reported growth in JLT’s global risk and insurance businesses, plus “strong progress” in its employee benefits businesses.

He singled out the performance of its life cover and healthcare products in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

His interim management statement does not include figures, but the group reports “overall organic revenue growth” despite a “continuing marked decline”.

JLT says its bid to be “one of the world’s leading specialty brokers” moved forward in the quarter with the launch of a business in the US, a part-acquisition in India and the opening of a branch in Turkey.

While committed to the strategy of “deepening our specialty focus and expanding our geographic reach”, Mr Burke says it will be a difficult road ahead.

“Trading conditions remain challenging given the decline in the insurance and reinsurance rating environment, which continued into the third quarter,” he said. “We remain cautious about the outlook for the underlying business for the full year.”

JLT Australia says its third-quarter trading performance was “broadly in line” with expectations.

Mr Demer told insuranceNEWS.com.au JLT “is going very well considering the difficult market, and Australia has been playing its part and will continue to do so”.

“Our growth has been solid and our performance overall has been very good.”