OAMPS in Australia will be rebranded as Arthur J Gallagher before the end of the year.

The company – acquired from Wesfarmers by the US-based global broker in April – is already changing its strategic direction, according to Arthur J Gallagher MD Australia and New Zealand Steve Lockwood.

In recent months OAMPS has seen the departure of CEO Mike Cutter, who was replaced by Andrew Godden. COO Mark Emney, who joined the company in 2012, was replaced in August by Sarah Lyons.

Mr Lockwood says a number of positions have been abolished, including the entire project team of 14 people. The role of regional manager has also been abolished, and it is understood most regional managers have left the company.

“We want to give more accountability to the people in the branches,” Mr Lockwood told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “It’s a better strategic direction, and Andrew and his team are building a real alternative to the other big international brokers.”

Crombie Lockwood, which was acquired from Wesfarmers at the same time as OAMPS, is unlikely to rebrand before the end of next year, he says.

insuranceNEWS.com.au understands the strength of the Crombie Lockwood brand in the New Zealand market is the main reason for delaying.

“It’s under review, but it’s not the Gallagher way to simply make change,” Mr Lockwood said. “We’ll do what’s logical and what works.”

Meanwhile, Arthur J Gallagher’s Australian underwriting agencies will be the first affected by the group’s decision to move its global underwriting operations under the new Pen Underwriting brand.

The exercise will bring Australis and SRS under one brand from November 1.

The UK businesses – eUnderwriting, Ink, IRS, Keelan Westall, Dallas Kirkland, OAMPS (the managing general agency arm of the Australian broker), Think, Vela, Woodboork and Zennor – will move over to the single brand next year.

Pen Underwriting Australia CEO Paul Lynam told insuranceNEWS.com.au the drive to unite the various underwriting operations under one name will “make it easier for customers and insurers to understand what we do, and create a strong platform for us to promote our position as a ‘one-stop shop’ for specialist underwriting products and services”.