Lockton has opened a New Zealand operation with risk and insurance advisers in Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch and a new team recruited from Willis Towers Watson.

The launch went ahead amid a nationwide lockdown and all employees are working remotely until the government permits them to attend the new Lockton Auckland CBD office at 1 Albert Street.

Lockton Companies Australia CEO Paul Marsden told insuranceNEWS.com.au earlier this year a senior team from Willis Towers Watson was kickstarting Lockton’s Kiwi drive and as many as 40 people based in New Zealand may be hired in the next three years.

For now, the new team comprises COO Melanie Harding, Head of Employee Benefits Niall Martin, Head of Captive & Alternative Risk Transfer Jessica Schade and Head of Pacific Ged McCombie.

Ms Harding comes from 15 years at WTW, most recently Head of Operations since 2015, while Ms Schade spent 14 years at WTW, most recently as Practice Leader Captives & ART Solutions.

Mr McCombie spent nine years at WTW, most recently as Pacific Islands Practice Manager

, while Mr Martin spent more than eight years at WTW.

Several other appointments will double the team by the end of the year, Lockton says.

“We are uniquely positioned to enter the New Zealand market and deliver the lost art of service in a world of automation,” Mr Marsden said. “We do this by providing consistent and unmatched service to all of our clients, and championing risk-led conversations, rather than just insurance.”

Lockton plans further expansion in other locations such as Dunedin across the North and South Islands in the short to medium term.

US parent Lockton, which was founded in 1966 in Kansas City, Missouri, says it is the largest privately held, independent insurance broker in the world, with more than 8500 professionals.