CRE Insurance Broking has established a new Perth-based CRE WA operation, specialising in mining, construction and energy risks, including for clients with international assets. 

Steven Tarr takes the role of Executive Director. He was formerly National Practice Leader Mining at Gallagher for almost five years. 

CRE’s Sydney-based MD David Harrison and Brisbane-based Mining Practice Lead/Executive Director Adam Battista will also provide “hands on engagement to help ensure the business has everything needed to be successful in this challenging market”. 

“In a vacuum of continuing consolidation of the insurance broking market in Australia, specialist advice and access to a firm’s best people is quickly eroding for mid-tier participants in heavy industries,” Mr Harrison said. 

CRE has partnered with Woods Insurance Brokers, and its MD Simon Woods becomes CRE WA Development Director. He says the high calibre and committed team has "peerless networks” throughout the mining and construction insurance sector and will benefit clients “potentially starved of genuine alternatives”. 

CRE – which stands for Construction, Resources and Energy – says its WA operation will make tough placements in those sectors as easy as possible for clients, wholesale partners and underwriters. 

Mr Tarr says by focusing only on clients within its specialty, CRE can “confidently provide pointed advice to clients from a position of technical understanding and an extensive ‘been there, done that’ level of experience”.