Austplacements CEO Heath Amber has been elected as Chairman of the Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC), replacing Lion Underwriting MD Kurt Nilsen who stepped down from the position. 

It is Mr Amber’s second stint as Chairman, having served from 2013-15. 

UAC also honoured retiring GM William Legge at a farewell function, ending a 60-year career in insurance. Mr Legge, who was UAC’s first GM and took up that role in 2011 after having served on the board since 2009, will be replaced in early 2023 with UAC’s first CEO. 

“Thank you for your dedication,” Mr Nilsen said. “UAC is undoubtably in the position it is today, as the leading industry association for underwriting agencies, due to William’s continued commitment over the past 11 years.” 

Last week, there were 12 nominations for vacant director positions at UAC’s annual general meeting in Sydney. 

The new directors, who will each serve for two years, were declared elected at the AGM. They are:

• Colin Fagen, founder and managing director of Blue Zebra Insurance

• Simon Lightbody, CEO of Steadfast Underwriting Agencies and Miramar Underwriting Agency (retiring director re-elected)

• Heath Amber, CEO of Austplacements (retiring director re-elected)

• Emily Walker, head of strata and development, Axis Underwriting (retiring director re-elected).

Four board members were not required to stand for election in 2022. They are:

• UAC chair Kurt Nilsen, managing director of Lion Underwriting

• Jeanene Hill, head of coverholder and delegated authority, Asia Pacific, Canopius Australia

• Anthony Porter, national business development manager, AFA Insurance

• Mike Edmonds, executive general manager, National Transport Insurance.

At a board meeting after the AGM, Mr Nilsen stepped down as chair and Mr Amber was elected as his replacement. Mr Nilsen said after nine years on the board, with the last three as chair, it was time to hand the mantle to another director.

Deputy chair is Mike Edmonds, director finance/treasurer is Simon Lightbody and retiring director Trent Brown, founding director of Allstate Underwriting, was appointed as an associate director and assistant treasurer. Emily Walker was appointed UAC company secretary and public officer.

UAC welcomed 10 new voting members and 15 business service members this year and a record 10 UAC expos around the country are planned next year, including new locations the Gold Coast, Queensland and Wollongong.