DUAL Announcement - Leadership Changes

DUAL Asia Pacific CEO, Damien Coates, has announced leadership changes across Australia and New Zealand. Coates commented,

"On behalf of DUAL, I am incredibly excited to announce these changes as we continue with our growth plans of reaching $500M premium in ANZ by 2025."

Current ANZ Managing Director, Leo Abbruzzo, is moving into the newly created role of Executive Chairman, DUAL ANZ effective 1 October 2023. Reflecting on Leo’s immense contribution Coates says 

"When Leo and I founded DUAL almost 20 years ago, we could never have dreamt of building such a great underwriting business, predominantly organically, to $400M premium across 7 offices in Australia and New Zealand. Leo has always been the heart of DUAL and I am positive this will continue as he transitions from operational management whilst maintaining his critical guidance and leadership in support of our ongoing growth."

 To maintain the excellent value proposition, we have consistently provided our broking and carrier partners, DUAL announced further leadership structure changes.

Client Management

Deputy CEO, Michael Ussher, will assume full responsibility for the overall Client Management function in Australia. This includes the 4 branch locations, online platforms including BizCover, Marketing and Communications as well as our National Broker Partners. To compliment this, Kerryn Symes has been promoted into the role of Head of National Partnerships to support continued development of growth strategies with key broking partners. Kerryn will report to Michael as will branch managers of Adrian Salamone (Southern), Anthony Morgan (Queensland), Daniel Brown (NSW) and Dragana Ljubicic (Western Australia). 

Michael Ussher

Kerryn Symes

Underwriting & Claims:

Craig Wincote has been promoted into another newly created role of ANZ Chief Underwriting Officer (CUO). The responsibilities of this pillar will include Product Management, Claims and Actuarial, with Craig assuming full responsibility for existing product suite of Financial Lines, Accident & Health, Cyber, General Liability as well as Property and Motor in New Zealand.

Coates said, 

“I am extremely thrilled for Craig’s promotion which is tremendous recognition for his long term display of expertise in the key functions which will sit under him as CUO.”

Craig Wincote

New Zealand:

DUAL New Zealand General Manager, Paula Sheppard-Jones, will now report directly to Damien Coates Asia Pacific CEO.

Paula Sheppard-Jones

Coates summarised the changes as timely and pivotal to DUAL ANZ’s strategy summary. 

"We believe key strategic partnerships with our clients in parallel with ongoing product diversification are vital to enhance the support we provide our partners. Accordingly, now is the right time for these functions to be led by Michael and Craig, respectively as part of our overall leadership and management structure.”

If you have any queries regarding the above, please contact your local DUAL Manager.