The Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC) has elected Austplacements CEO Heath Amber as its new chair and honoured long-serving GM William Legge at a farewell function ahead of his retirement at year end.

Lion Underwriting MD Kurt Nilsen stepped down as chair at a board meeting yesterday, saying after nine years on the board, the last three as chair, it was time to hand the mantle to another director.

There were 12 nominations for vacant director positions at UAC’s annual general meeting in Sydney.

The new directors, who will each serve for two years, were declared elected at the meeting. They are:

• Colin Fagen, founder and managing director of Blue Zebra Insurance

• Simon Lightbody, CEO of Steadfast Underwriting Agencies and Miramar Underwriting Agency (retiring director re-elected)

• Heath Amber, CEO of Austplacements (retiring director re-elected)

• Emily Walker, head of strata and development, Axis Underwriting (retiring director re-elected).

Four board members were not required to stand for election in 2022. They are:

• UAC chair Kurt Nilsen, managing director of Lion Underwriting

• Jeanene Hill, head of coverholder and delegated authority, Asia Pacific, Canopius Australia

• Anthony Porter, national business development manager, AFA Insurance

• Mike Edmonds, executive general manager, National Transport Insurance.

At a board meeting after the AGM, Mr Nilsen stepped down as chair and Mr Amber was elected as his replacement.

Deputy chair is Mike Edmonds, director finance/treasurer is Simon Lightbody and retiring director Trent Brown, founding director of Allstate Underwriting, was appointed as an associate director and assistant treasurer. Emily Walker was appointed UAC company secretary and public officer.

The family of Mr Legge, UAC’s inaugural GM, who took up that role in 2011 after having served on the board since 2009, joined UAC’s members at a Sydney farewell, where Mr Nilsen paid tribute to his guidance and commitment.

“We will miss your leadership and passion,” Mr Nilsen said. “Thank you for your dedication to UAC and to our industry. I am honoured and privileged to have worked closely with you over the past few years as chair.

“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.”

A record 10 UAC expos around the country are planned next year, including new locations the Gold Coast and Wollongong.

This year, UAC welcomed 10 new voting members and 15 business service members.

Mr Legge’s retirement ends a 60-year career in insurance. He will be replaced in early 2023 with UAC’s first CEO.