The Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC) has named a new board following meetings last week, and Lion Underwriting MD Kurt Nilsen has retained his position as UAC Chairman.

There were six nominations for four vacant board positions. At the annual general meeting in Sydney those elected for two-year terms were: Mr Nilsen; Head of Coverholder and Delegated Authority Asia Pacific at Canopius Australia Jeanene HiIl; National Business Development Manager at AFA Insurance Anthony Porter; and EGM at NTI Mike Edmonds.

UAC board members Emily Walker, Heath Amber, Trent Brown, and Simon Lightbody were not required to stand for re-election this year.

At a board meeting after the AGM, directors retained their previous roles with Mr Nilsen as Chair; Ms Walker, Deputy Chair; Mr Brown, Treasurer; and Mr Amber, Company Secretary and Public Officer.

Mr Nilsen told the AGM it has been a “difficult year” with COVID-19 travel restrictions limiting UAC’s ability to present its full expo program.

However, the Sydney expo took place on March 12 and the Norwest Sydney expo went ahead on November 24.

Mr Nilsen thanked UAC’s principal strategic underwriting partner Lloyd’s, and strategic underwriting partner QBE.

“Their assistance is very welcome to help UAC bolster underwriting agencies’ awareness, prestige and reputation in the insurance market. We deeply appreciate their commitment to UAC.

“Underwriting agencies are a vital element of the insurance industry and UAC, as the agencies’ independent representative body, plays a core role in promoting the sector and advocating on members’ behalf.”