Scott Leney was re-appointed as ANZIIF President, with Brendan Dunne continuing as Deputy President.

The AGM also confirmed the appointment of Blazenka Skender, Head of People & HR Business Support, APAC at Everest, to the ANZIIF Board.

Leney thanked outgoing past President Ben Bessell for his leadership and contribution to the organisation since joining the Board in 2019.

“Ben has made a significant contribution to ANZIIF during a period of important transition and strategic development for the organisation,” Leney said.

“His leadership, professionalism and commitment to the industry have helped position ANZIIF strongly for the future.”

Leney said the organisation remained committed to supporting professionalism and capability uplift across the insurance and risk sector.

“Our priority is ensuring ANZIIF continues to provide trusted guidance, robust learning pathways and ethical leadership as the sector navigates rapid technological change,” he said.

“We remain committed to growing our impact, deepening our partnerships and ensuring ANZIIF continues to set the benchmark for skills elevation and professional recognition.”

The AGM also recognised the contribution of departed Board members Kimberley Jonsson, Diego Ascani, Tim Tez and Catherine Dixon, and acknowledged Claire Young following her appointment as the organisation’s Chief Operating Officer.

ANZIIF CEO Katrina Shanks congratulated the organisation’s 2025 graduates during the graduation ceremony following the AGM.

“In a fast-changing and more complex world; shaped by climate risk, rising customer expectations, emerging technologies and global uncertainty, we need more than qualified professionals,” Shanks said.

“We need true insurance professionals, people who bring together technical expertise, empathy, curiosity and a strong sense of responsibility.”

The AGM also highlighted ANZIIF’s continued investment in education, member experience and industry engagement, alongside a strong financial position and an ongoing strategy refresh examining the future of professionalism in insurance.

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Ben has held the position of Deputy President since 20 May 2021 and accepted the Presidency when Tim Plant stepped down at the end of his two-year term. “It is a privilege to be elected President of ANZIIF, an organisation that has a critical role to play across the Asia Pacific Region. I look forward to working with the Board and Management to ensure strategic objectives are achieved and to contribute toward the ongoing professionalism of the industry”, commented Bessell.

Prue Willsford, ANZIIF CEO paid tribute to Tim Plant, “Tim has been a gracious and insightful strategic leader on our board for two years now and has seen ANZIIF through significant transition periods. The support and expertise that Tim has brought to the board has been outstanding.”

During the year, ANZIIF also welcomed Hilary Bates, Chief Operating Officer of Zurich, to the ANZIIF board.

‘We are pleased to welcome Hilary to the ANZIIF Board,’ said Willsford.  ‘She brings with her a wealth of experience and will add significant value to ANZIIF and the insurance industry,’ added Willsford.

ANZIIF Past President Megan Beer retired from the ANZIIF Board at the AGM.

“We have been very fortunate to have had Megan on the ANZIIF Board since 2015. ANZIIF and the entire team have greatly benefited from Megan’s advice, knowledge, and over 25 years of industry experience.”

2023 ANZIIF Board

• Prue Willsford, Chief Executive Officer, ANZIIF
• Ben Bessell, (President), EGM Business Distribution, Austbrokers (AUB)
• Tim Plant (Immediate Past President), Chief Insurance and Strategy Officer, IAG
• Diego Ascani, Chief Executive Officer, Sedgwick Australia
• Hilary Bates, Chief Operating Officer, Life & Investments, Zurich
• Catherine Dixon, Executive General Manager, People Experience, Suncorp Group New Zealand
• Simone Dossetor, Chief Operating Officer, Insurtech Australia
• Brendan Dunne, Chief Customer and Operations Officer, Allianz Australia
• Fiona Hayes-St Clair, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, QBE
• Kimberley Jonsson, Chief Executive Officer, CHU Underwriting Agencies
• Scott Leney (Deputy President), Head of Risk Management, Asia & Pacific and Country Corporate Officer, Australia, Marsh & McLennan Companies
• John Lyon, Chief Executive Officer, Ando Insurance

ANZIIF CEO Prue Willsford and Immediate Past President Tim Plant also recognised several award winners and members for their contribution to ANZIIF and the insurance industry.

Timothy Considine was awarded Honorary Life Membership for his long-term contribution and service to, and proactive influence within the insurance industry.

Tim has been a member of ANZIIF since 2006 and when the Insurance Broking Faculty Advisory Board was established in 2012 was asked to join and then went onto become Chair. Tim’s contribution as Chair of the Broking Faculty helped to solidify the establishment of the Faculty and promoted ANZIIF’s membership and education programs within the broking fraternity. It was also his desire to increase professionalism in the industry that drove his commitment to ANZIIF and assisted us to create our Membership Proposition.

In 2017 Tim was invited to join the ANZIIF Board as Chair of Chairs and during his tenure, his contribution on the Board was integral to the strategic direction of ANZIIF in maintaining relevance to the industry and our members.

The annual ANZIIF Service Award was presented to ANZIIF Fellow Tony Smith. Tony has been a member of ANZIIF since joining in 1982 and was invited to join the Reinsurance Faculty Advisory Board when it was established in 2012. His contribution over the years to ANZIIF has been essential to our success particularly as a Member of the Reinsurance Rendezvous Committee where he held the role of Chair.

The annual ANZIIF Service Award was presented to ANZIIF Fellow, Michael Cooke. Michael joined ANZIIF’s Claims Faculty Advisory Board in 2012 before retiring in 2022. During this time, he gave significant service to ANZIIF in a number of initiatives, particularly with the implementation of ANZIIF’s Skills Units. Michael was President of AICLA during part of this period, which allowed him to play an important role in the collaboration of the two organisations.

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Tim Plant

The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) has announced at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that Tim Plant, CEO General Insurance (Australia & New Zealand), Zurich Australia will take over the position of ANZIIF President effective immediately. Ben Bessell, Chief Broking Officer, Austbrokers will take the role as Deputy President.

Tim has held the position of Deputy President since 2019 and accepted the Presidency when Megan Beer stepped down at the end of her two-year term.

“I am proud and honoured to be elected President of ANZIIF, an organisation that I have been a part of for many years,” said Tim Plant CEO General Insurance, Zurich Australia. “ANZIIF has played a major role in uplifting the professional standards of the insurance industry in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. I am excited to lead as President and help ANZIIF achieve its vision and strategic goals.”

ANZIIF Chief Executive Officer Prue Willsford paid tribute to Megan Beer. “Megan has been influential in leading the launch of the first ever Professional Standards Framework for the life sector. She is the first female president of ANZIIF and has been a strong advocate for women in leadership roles. Thank you for helping ANZIIF achieve its goals during your two-year term as President.”

ANZIIF Past President Allan Reynolds retired from the ANZIIF Board at the AGM.

“We have been very fortunate to have had Allan on the ANZIIF Board since 2015. ANZIIF and the entire team have greatly benefited from Allan’s advice, knowledge, and 40 years of industry experience.

Willsford acknowledged and thanked Tony Lee and Daniel Fogarty for their dedicated service to ANZIIF – both members retired from the ANZIIF Board at the AGM.

2021 ANZIIF Board:

• Tim Plant (President), CEO General Insurance AUS/NZ, Zurich Financial Services Australasia Limited
• Ben Bessell (Deputy President), Chief Broking Officer, Austbrokers
• Megan Beer (Immediate Past President), Group Executive, Insurance, CEO Australasia, Resolution Life
• Diego Ascani, Chief Executive Officer, Australia, Sedgwick
• Tim Considine, Managing Director, Austbrokers Countrywide
• Catherine Dixon, Executive General Manager, People Experience, Suncorp Group New Zealand
• Simone Dossetor, Chief Operating Officer, Munich Re Australasia,
• Fiona Hayes-St Clair, Chief Strategy Officer, QBE Insurance Australia / New Zealand
• John Lyon, Chief Executive Officer, Ando Inurance
• Damien Mu, Chief Executive Officer, AIA Australia
• Prue Willsford, Chief Executive Officer, ANZIIF

ANZIIF CEO Prue Willsford and Immediate Past President Megan Beer recognised several award winners for their contribution to ANZIIF and the insurance industry.

ANZIIF (Senior Associate) David McKinnis was awarded Honorary Life Membership for his long-term contribution, service, and proactive influence on the insurance industry. The annual ANZIIF Service Award was presented to ANZIIF Fellow Noel Donovan for his many years of work at ANZIIF to help lift professional standards through education and training. The E.E Vines Prize for 2020 was awarded to ANZIIF (Fellow) Honorary Life John Dawson for his Journal article What is the difference between conduct risk, risk culture and organisational culture?.

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