Seven senior executives are vying for four vacancies on the Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC) board, with results from a ballot to be announced at the annual general meeting next month. 

Lion Underwriting MD Kurt Nilsen, a former UAC Chairman, will not seek re-election after 10 years on the board, while three current members will stand for a further two-year term. 

UAC CEO Jenny Bax says the high level of nominees for board positions indicates the members’ desire to support the organisation and their willingness to take on voluntary positions to help shape its future.  

“We’re rolling out a four-pillar strategy for UAC – connected, influential, future fit and viable – and the depth of experience among those keen to join the board shows that members want to be part of that journey,” she said. 

Members seeking re-election are NTI EGM Commercial, and current UAC Deputy Chair, Michael Edmonds, AFA Insurance National Business Development Manager Anthony Porter and Canopius Group Head of Coverholder and Delegated Authority Asia Pacific Jeanene Hill. 

Also standing are SLE World Australia and Pacific Underwriting CEO Raj Nanra, Emergence Insurance CEO and founder Troy Filipcevic, Delta Insurance MD Tesh Patel and Argyle Insurance Head of Market Management Simon Ascroft. 

Voting papers are being distributed today, with a senior executive from every financial UAC member agency able to vote on the agency’s behalf. 

Current directors not required to stand this year are UAC Chair and Austbrokers Partner Development Director Heath Amber; Company Secretary and Axis Underwriting Services Head of Strata & Development Emily Walker; Finance Director and Rhodian Group CEO Simon Lightbody and Blue Zebra CEO Colin Fagen. 

Ms Bax says agencies are becoming “ever more relevant” as the market evolves and there are endless opportunities for entrepreneurial, tech-savvy people to take a leap of faith and move into the underwriting agencies space. 

“UAC is here to support its members, enable them to continue to innovate, and to help create a sustainable future for the agency sector,” she said. 

Ms Bax also paid tribute to Mr Nilsen for his dedication in devoting significant time and energy to UAC while concurrently building a successful agency.  

The annual general meeting will be held at 11am on December 7 at Gillis Delaney Lawyers offices in Sydney. The event will also feature a presentation to celebrate 25 years since UAC was founded in 1998.