Fifteen general insurance and financial services leaders will pit their wits against about 300 professionals in Sydney on Wednesday in a novel fund-raiser for the Create Foundation.

Organised by Create Foundation Chairman and Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation CEO David Matcham, the “First XV” will attempt to demonstrate their superior knowledge of the industry and other less specialised things against seemingly overwhelming odds.

Money raised from the event will go to the Create Foundation projects, which is committed to reducing risk and bringing about positive change for children and young people in out of home care.

The “First XV” of industry leaders includes Mike Wilkins (IAG), Rob Scott (Wesfarmers Insurance), Terry Ibbotson (QBE), Robert De Souza, (Aon Benfield), Peter Wedgwood (Assetinsure), Nick Kirk (Calliden), Noel Condon (Chartis Australia), Tony Middlebrook (Employers Mutual), Estelle Pearson (Finity Consulting), Scott Grove (Guy Carpenter), Richard Enthoven (Hollard), Stephen Dunn (AMP Capital Investors) and Michael Harden (Willis Re).

Mr Matcham says the leaders “have bought the table tickets and rallied their staff and guests to get involved. I’m sure the staff teams will have a lot of fun beating their bosses.”

The event is at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf, Pyrmont.