Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC) Chairman Damien Coates will not stand for re-election at the UAC annual general meeting on December 2, saying he doesn’t have sufficient spare time.

Another to step down in 2011 is UAC company secretary David Porter, who says he wants to focus more on the AFA Insurance operation.

Mr Coates, who is also MD of Dual Asia-Pacific, told insuranceNEWS.com.au he wants to concentrate on the company’s rapid growth and he has “run out of time to devote to the development of UAC”.

He says he is “confident UAC has a very sound footprint in the industry and will move forward with a new chairman at the helm”.

During his two years as chairman Mr Coates was the driving force behind a range of initiatives designed to increase the council’s industry profile. He also helped set up a new corporate identity and extending professional development opportunities for underwriting agencies and their staff. .

Current UAC directors Heath Amber, Eric Richardson, Linda King, Jo Lindsay Eschbank and Frank Van Rooy remain as directors for 2012, while Deputy Chairman John Iles is standing for re-election.