Specialist Underwriting Agencies director John Iles is the new Chairman of the Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC), replacing Damien Coates at its AGM in Sydney on Friday.

Lyndon Turner (Nautilus Marine Insurance Agency) was re-elected and Peter Fryer (Catlin Australia) was elected to the board.

Immediately after the AGM the new board met and elected Mr Iles as its new chairman, Heath Amber (Millennium) as Deputy Chairman and Jo Lindsay-Eschbank (Resource Underwriting) as the new company secretary. Current directors Mr Amber, Eric Richardson (Altiora Insurance Solutions), Linda King (Sterling Insurance) and treasurer Frank Van Rooy (Australis Group) remain as directors for 2012.

David Porter (AFA) did not stand for re-election.

Mr Coates, who has been appointed Global CEO of Dual and did not stand for re-election, gave his final chairman’s address, saying that for him two key events had been the appointment of William Legge as UAC’s first GM and a new corporate image for the organisation.  

“The board changes every year, but continuity in the GM role gives UAC a more stable footing and assists in the growth and retention of the council’s corporate knowledge,” he said.

Mr Coates confirmed UAC supports in principle the Insurance Council’s opposition to any potential introduction of a ban on commissions for general insurance products.

“While that is not on the agenda with the current Freedom of Financial Advice proposals, we must be vigilant,” he said.