The Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC) has started screening potential candidates to take up the newly created CEO role as the peak body looks to build on the growth of the agency sector.

UAC wants a CEO with the skills and experience to strengthen its corporate presence and take it forward in the next five years under a strategic plan that is about to be finalised, Chairman Kurt Nilsen says.

The decision to have a CEO run the peak body follows the retirement of GM William Legge, who is stepping down after 11 years in the position.

“In short, UAC has grown and developed into a much larger organisation and our collective annual gross premium pool has increased substantially,” Mr Nilsen told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“Our members represent a much larger proportion of insurance buyers than ever before so we believe it’s time for UAC to look at the next five years and one of the primary tasks of the new CEO is to implement the 2025 Strategic Plan.”

UAC has more than 100 members with a combined gross written premium pool in excess of $10 billion, up from $8-9 billion last year. Demand for specialist underwriters has surged in the last several years as risks have become more complex and niche, coinciding with one of the hardest rate cycles seen in a long time.

Mr Nilsen says UAC has received strong interest for the role and hopes to finalise the recruitment process in the next couple of weeks.

UAC has engaged a HR agency to help with the recruitment. An advertisement for the position says the CEO will ensure that UAC remains the leading organisation for underwriting agencies in Australia through delivery of the strategy, connecting, influencing and resourcing for the long-term success of the organisation.

The CEO must enhance UAC’s capability and position as an advocate for the underwriting agencies of Australia and build on the successful hub connections to ensure members have access to the marketplace.

Click here for the job ad.