The Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC) has named New Zealand underwriting veteran Mike Street as its first board member from that country.

The new associate director will represent the council’s nine New Zealand members. Under its constitution, the UAC board can appoint associate members to represent special interests.

UAC has 96 members, and GM William Legge says he expects a New Zealander will be elected to the board as a full-voting member “in due course”.

“It’s important from the board’s point of view to have a voice on the board that represents our New Zealand membership,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

Mr Street is Director of Property and Casualty at Auckland-based International Underwriting Agencies (IUA).

He has 40 years’ experience in the insurance industry. He joined IUA in 2002, and in 2009 he and his wife Debbie became the company’s major shareholders.

UAC has identified New Zealand as a key membership base. The council held its inaugural New Zealand expo in Auckland in February, under its push to establish a foothold there.

At the time Mr Legge told insuranceNEWS.com.au UAC’s aim is to create “a truly trans-Tasman organisation”.

The council’s expansion ambitions are not limited to New Zealand.

It recently finalised a five-year plan identifying Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Hong Kong as markets for new members.

UAC has two other associate directors: Lloyd’s Australia Country Manager Chris Mackinnon and Brisbane-based Underwriting Agencies of Australia Regional Manager North Greg Thompson, who is leading the drive to develop UAC membership in the region.