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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Scott Leney

The Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Leney as President of the ANZIIF Board and Brendan Dunne as Deputy President, marking the beginning of a new chapter in leadership.

Mr. Leney brings decades of experience and a deep commitment to professional development in the insurance and finance sector.

“I am honoured to serve as President of ANZIIF, an organisation I have been proudly associated with since the early days of my career—beginning with my Fellowship studies and continuing through to my recent tenure on the Board of Directors,” said Mr. Leney.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our immediate past President, Ben Bessell, for his outstanding leadership and dedicated service as Chair since 2023.”

Mr. Leney will work closely with the Board, Deputy President Brendan Dunne, ANZIIF CEO Katrina Shanks, and the executive leadership team to deliver on ANZIIF’s strategic priorities and continue supporting members and partners across the Asia-Pacific region.

“ANZIIF plays a crucial role in championing the collective interests of our industry and delivering contemporary, relevant learning to our members across APAC. As we look to the future, I’m excited to work alongside the Board, Katrina, and the executive team to uphold and enhance the professionalism of our industry as we navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” said Mr. Dunne.

ANZIIF also extends its appreciation to Ben Bessell for his leadership and commitment during his tenure as President from 2023 to 2025. His contribution to advancing professional standards and strengthening industry engagement has been deeply valued.

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Christian Colombera

Everest announced it has officially launched its Australian Insurance operations after receiving approval from the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. The business will operate under the name Everest Insurance Australia^® with offices established in Sydney and Melbourne.

Christian Colombera, Managing Director, Australia and Head of the Pacific Region will lead the business alongside a team of best-in-class regional underwriters to serve the growing needs of corporations across the Australian market.​

“As we continue enhancing our global presence, we bring Everest’s customer-first model and decades of underwriting discipline and financial strength to address the unique and growing needs of the Australian market,” said Mr. Colombera. “We have assembled a deeply experienced team with a keen understanding of local market dynamics and the challenges facing businesses demanding the capacity and expertise across a wide range of insurance needs that Everest will deliver.”

Everest’s breadth of bespoke insurance products will help fill a crucial void for tailored risk solutions in the property, casualty, financial lines, professional lines, and energy and construction sectors with the speed and agility required in the current insurance landscape.

Commenting on the announcement, Scott Leney, Head of Asia Pacific, Everest Insurance International^® said, “Australia is a top-ten global insurance market ripe for Everest’s agile and entrepreneurial approach to risk. Australian clients and brokers need Everest’s financial support, top industry talent and broad suite of specialty products and capabilities.”​

“Our disciplined expansion strategy positions Everest as a preferred market leader, bringing the full strength of Everest resources to key regions like Australia and globally,” said Jason Keen, co-lead of Everest Insurance International^®.

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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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Scott leads the Risk Management practice of Marsh in Asia and Pacific. He is Director of various Marsh boards and is an executive committee member for Marsh’s International region. Scott also represents the parent company Marsh McLennan in Australia, operating across the four businesses of Marsh, Mercer, Oliver Wyman and Guy Carpenter.

‘On behalf of the Board and the team at ANZIIF, we are delighted to welcome Scott to the Board,’ says Prue Willsford, ANZIIF Chief Executive Officer. Scott is a Fellow of ANZIIF and long-term advocate for professionalism in the insurance industry. ‘Scott’s experience, industry knowledge, and passion for driving successful customer outcomes will greatly benefit ANZIIF and ensure we remain relevant to all the Members that we serve.’

Commenting on his appointment Scott said ‘I am delighted to be working with Tim and the board as well as Prue and her executive team to help ANZIIF continue to prosper as the industry’s preeminent professional association and RTO.’

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