The New Zealand Government has appointed board members to Southern Response Earthquake Services – the government-owned body set up to handle the residual parts of AMI Insurance following its sale to IAG NZ.

The appointees are professional director Anne Urlwin, who will become deputy chairman; Christchurch Polytechnic Chairman Jenn Bestwick; Christchurch businessman Bevan Killick; barrister Susan Thodey; and businessman David Whyte.

The Chairman of Southern Response, Ross Butler, was appointed late last year. He is a professional director with extensive experience in the financial services sector.     

The new board will convene in April when the sale of the remaining AMI business to IAG NZ is expected to be completed.

New Zealand Finance Minister Bill English says the skills of the new board members will ensure claims are dealt with efficiently.

“All appointees have relevant governance or senior executive level backgrounds that collectively offer the skills required for the establishment board,” he said.

“I am confident the new board will effectively assist the residual company to assess and meet AMI’s Canterbury earthquake-related claims.”

Mr English confirmed Southern Response will remain in government ownership to deal with the Christchurch claims.

But he has not released details of how AMI’s business will be moved into Southern Response, nor how many AMI employees will stay with Southern Response after the sale.