An Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC) delegation has visited Singapore under a five-year plan to become the voice of the sector across Asia-Pacific.

GM William Legge, Deputy Chairman Lyndon Turner and Lloyd’s General Representative in Australia Chris Mackinnon made the visit last Monday.

Mr Mackinnon is also a UAC associate director.

They met with about 50 principals and senior underwriters from 19 Lloyd’s Singapore platform service companies, explaining UAC’s role and the benefits of membership.

“The response was positive,” Mr Legge told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “But ultimately success will measured by how many new members we get from those meetings.”

Mr Legge says there is no comparable organisation for underwriting agencies in the region, and he is confident UAC will prove attractive to potential members there.

The Singaporeans heard that joining a professional organisation such as UAC gives agencies credibility with regulators and industry recognition, confirms adherence to a code of practice and enhances agencies’ status in the market.

UAC has 96 members – 87 in Australia and nine in New Zealand. It has identified Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Hong Kong as priority markets for expansion.