The Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC) is on course to hit a target of 20 exhibitors for its inaugural New Zealand expo.

The event is part of a push to establish a foothold in the country.

To date, 16 exhibitors from Australia and New Zealand have contracted to participate in the expo in Auckland on February 16.

It will coincide with an Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand (IBANZ) and Lloyd’s breakfast at SkyCity Auckland, where Lloyd’s Chairman John Nelson will be the guest speaker.

UAC GM William Legge says the breakfast will provide a “flow” of about 200 people to the exhibition, including Mr Nelson.

“It will give John Nelson the opportunity to meet with the marketplace and a great opportunity for our members to talk to him,” Mr Legge told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

The expo follows a positive response from brokers to a UAC stand at the IBANZ Forum in Auckland last October.

“New Zealand brokers welcomed the opportunity to discuss their clients’ requirements with the participating agencies and find out more about how underwriting agencies can offer excellent alternatives to the company markets,” Mr Legge said.

UAC currently has nine New Zealand members, but Mr Legge’s “personal goal” is to hit 15-20 by the end of the year. It has 92 members in Australia.

“This is isn’t just about trying to build our membership,” he said. “Our aim is to create a truly trans-Tasman organisation for underwriting agencies in Australia and New Zealand.”

This could be reflected in the composition of UAC’s board, because directors are considering having an “associate member” from New Zealand on the board. The member would be chosen by New Zealand members.

Mr Legge, who will make about five trips to New Zealand this year in a “development role”, expects to hold a second expo in New Zealand this year, most likely in Christchurch.

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