Austbrokers Chief Broking Officer Ben Bessell has been elected President of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) after serving as deputy for two years, while Austbrokers Countrywide MD Tim Considine has received life membership. 

“It is a privilege to be elected President of ANZIIF, an organisation that has a critical role to play across the Asia Pacific region,” Mr Bessell said after the annual general meeting. “I look forward to working with the board and management to ensure strategic objectives are achieved and to contribute toward the ongoing professionalism of the industry.”  

Mr Bessell, who has 25 years’ industry experience, takes over from IAG Chief Insurance and Strategy Officer Tim Plant, who has completed a two-year term and who will leave IAG at the end of this month. 

ANZIIF also announced that Marsh & McLennan Companies Head of Risk Management Asia & Pacific and Country Corporate Officer Australia Scott Leney has taken up the Deputy President role. 

Mr Considine was awarded Honorary Life Membership for his long-term contribution and service and proactive influence within the insurance industry. 

Mr Considine has been an ANZIIF member since 2006, was asked to join the Insurance Broking Faculty Advisory Board when it was established in 2012 and then went on to become chairman. 

“Tim’s contribution as Chair of the Broking Faculty helped to solidify the establishment of the Faculty and promoted ANZIIF’s membership and education programs within the broking fraternity,” ANZIIF said. 

“It was also his desire to increase professionalism in the industry that drove his commitment to ANZIIF and assisted us to create our membership proposition.”  

 Mr Considine was invited to join the ANZIIF Board as Chair of Chairs in 2017 and his contribution on the board was integral to the strategic direction of ANZIIF in maintaining relevance to the industry and members, the group says.