Our Leadership - New Zealand

Jill returned to WTW in 2024 as head of New Zealand, after working with Willis New Zealand for a period of six years in the early 2000s. She began her insurance career over 35 years ago and has held senior and leadership positions with international broking houses. Jill is recognised in the market as a highly experienced industry leader, known for her demonstrated results in risk management and risk solutions. She has an ability to drive success through building culture and engagement, which places her well in leading our WTW New Zealand team. Additionally, Jill is an elected member of the IBANZ New Zealand Board.

Michael has more than 25 years of experience working in the Insurance industry. Prior to joining WTW in 2006, Michael worked for local and international brokers, as well as in underwriting and claims for major insurers. During his time at WTW Michael has had a number of leadership roles across both Corporate, Commercial and managing key Insurer relationships. Degree-qualified, a Senior Associate of ANZIIF and both a Qualified Practicing Insurance Broker and Certified Insurance Professional. As a Director, Michael ensures that WTW clients have access to the best possible combination of risk and insurance solutions to protect their businesses.

Nick has over 20 years’ experience in all aspects of the New Zealand Insurance Industry. In the Group Insurance sector, Nick has worked with many local and multinational clients providing advice on program design, implementation, communication, and ongoing management. Nick previously worked in London for several large financial service organisations, with a focus on trading room operations and client reporting. He has clear focus on building strong relationships to ensure the best outcomes for all.

Nicky has over 31 year’s experience in the insurance industry, driving superior operations and overall corporate performance. Nicky’s expertise lie in both creating and implementing corporate strategy, strong problem solving, planning and budgeting, coaching and developing staff, managing business development as well as the servicing of Corporate Clients. Nicky’s proven dedication to optimising operational success and business performance, along with her excellent analytical and communication abilities, has contributed immensely to the success of WTW New Zealand. Nicky develops quality relationships with her clients, and has built up a strong Corporate team through training and client servicing. Nicky is involved with continuous improvement of the business, both within the Corporate team and wider amongst the New Zealand offices. Working with the Bid team, Nicky works on business development processes to ultimately lead to new business wins for the company.

Stephen is very highly regarded and is well known in the insurance industry from his time with State / NZI. Stephen’s Corporate Broker role included a core broking responsibility for his clients with a specialist knowledge & focus on Heavy Motor, Transport, Logistics and Contracting. Starting in November 2022, Stephen leads the WTW South Island team based in Christchurch. Along with the staff management duties that come with this, Stephen builds strong client and insurer relationships and strives for continuous improvement within the business. He brings a wealth of experience that has been vital for new business wins as well as training new members of his team.

Shane returned to WTW in July 2024 after 17 years at an international broking house in a variety of leadership roles. His strong client centric strategic thinking, deep market relationships and problem-solving skills make him the ideal choice to join WTW’s leadership in its journey to become the preeminent risk adviser in New Zealand. Shane has extensive knowledge and experience in risk management and risk transfer of many diversified client portfolios including Primary Industry, Food and Beverage, Manufacturing, Local and Central Government, Energy and Property sectors.

Gerard has 20 over years commercial experience with 10+ years of that spent in the New Zealand insurance industry. Gerard is a Cyber and Technology Insurance specialist with deep knowledge of the technology industry. He understands the data-security controls required of data-driven business processes and can apply that knowledge to Cyber and Technology risk transfer programs. His interests include the intersection of Cyber risk with Directors and Officers risk given the legal challenges Directors are facing given recent high-profile data breaches across New Zealand and Australia. Prior to joining WTW he adjusted many of the most complex Cyber Insurance claims across New Zealand and Australia. Informing this expertise, Gerard has consulted on process and data security across Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. He has lectured in Information Security at the University of Auckland and is a published Information Security researcher.

Alanna returned to WTW in August 2024, bringing over two decades of broking experience working across a diverse range of industries. She is renowned for her ability to take complex technical information and make it relatable to people at all levels. Her strong technical skills and in-depth knowledge of insurance and risk have led to opportunities to develop and implement excellence programmes within organisations. Alanna’s primary goal is to provide exceptional service and innovative solutions to support our team in helping clients navigate the complexities of the insurance landscape.

Catherine rejoined WTW in 2024 as Technical Director Finex New Zealand and, brings with her a wealth of experience and expertise with over 30 years in the insurance industry. Catherine has a deep understanding of liability risk and insurance. Her strategic mindset allows her to identify opportunities and develop effective solutions for clients. Having held a number of leadership positions in her career, Catherine is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience, mentoring younger professionals and helping them to develop their careers. Her innovative spirit drives her to explore new concepts and develop innovative solutions to address evolving insurance challenges.

Rachael joined WTW Wellington office in June 2024 and brings with a wealth of expertise in both risk management and alternative risk financing from within various Government agencies, and has valuable experience in risk advisory and broking. Rachael facilitates access to WTW’s latest advancements in risk modelling including predictive climate risk modelling coupled with actuarial based analysis to understand what the optimum risk financing framework is and how best to leverage capital – internally or externally. WTW clients can now confidently quantify their own risk exposures and deliver strategies designed to achieve risk tolerance and appetite thresholds.

Daryl, a Civil Engineer, is responsible for managing the Construction Practice in New Zealand. The team work with Tier 1 Contractors and are also responsible for placement of some of New Zealand’s largest construction projects acting for the Principal. Daryl has worked in Construction in New Zealand and abroad for 28 years, the last 14 specializing in Construction Insurance. He was the Head of Construction for an Insurer before becoming a specialist Construction Insurance Broker. Daryl’s depth of project knowledge and market relationships in New Zealand and abroad, in addition to his experience, help to position the client in the best overall risk transfer position. Bringing extensive construction, underwriting and broking experience, Daryl joined WTW as New Zealand National Construction Manager in July 2021 and continues to grow the team’s specialism and capability.

James joined WTW in 2015 after returning from 5 years in the Australian market working for a large global broker and working for a multinational underwriter. During his 16 years in the insurance industry James has held a number of positions across underwriting, client management and strategy. James is very client focussed looking at ways to improve clients understanding of their risks and tailoring solutions to meet the requirements of their risk and tolerance. James is passionate about Affinity business working with clients to create superior leverage in the insurance market, bespoke product solutions, advanced technology solutions and providing an alternative stream of revenue or savings to group members

Sebastian joined WTW in 2016 and has been in the industry for over 16 years, holding various positions at top Global Broking Houses. Sebastian has experience servicing a wide range of Commercial and Corporate clients across various industry segments ranging from Property Owners, Importers/Exporters, Food and Beverage, Manufacturers and Retailers. He is passionate about tailoring solutions based on the unique requirements and risk profiles for each client.

Tanya leads the New Zealand claims team, overseeing both General Insurance and Financial Lines claims. She is responsible for the claims service standards and delivery. Tanya has been with WTW since 2019. B.A. Eng Lit; Dip Business Management; PIA, ANZIIF Assoc. Tanya has worked in the insurance industry for 26 years, first for major international insurers as a technical specialist, and then as a Claims broker. Tanya works across all lines of business, having extensive experience in Property and Business Interruption claims, Construction, Travel, A&H, all lines of Liability and Financial Lines, motor and Marine Cargo claims.