BJS Insurance Group Operations Manager Dianne Phelan has commenced a two-year term as NIBA President in board changes announced last week.

Ms Phelan takes over as President from Eric Harris of Aon, who will continue as a director, while EBM Insurance CEO Ward Dedman has been named Vice President.

NIBA CEO Dallas Booth says he looks forward to working with Ms Phelan and the board as the group this year faces upcoming challenges on remuneration, a new Code of Practice and the ongoing hard market.

Ms Phelan, based in Adelaide, has been NIBA Vice President for the past two years and becomes the first woman to be appointed President. She has been a broker for more than 30 years and with two colleagues formed Morris Lloyd Insurance Brokers, where she became MD. Later the firm joined Victorian brokerage BJS, which was expanding into other states.

BJS has since continued to grow and now has nine offices across Australia, including in Sydney, Perth, the Brisbane area and regional locations.

“It is very humbling to be appointed as the President of NIBA,” Ms Phelan said. “I feel very privileged to be able to work with Dallas and the rest of the board to ensure we continue to strive for the best outcomes for our members and their clients.”

Mr Dedman is a former winner of the Warren Tickle Memorial Award for Young Broker of the Year, and has made a long contribution to NIBA and industry affairs in Western Australia, Mr Booth said.