360 is a proud partner of AUB Group Limited (ASX:AUB)

 

Megan Duckworth is the National Distribution Manager of Commercial at 360 Underwriting Solutions. With 18 years of experience in the insurance industry, she has worked across various areas, including Claims, Underwriting, eBusiness, Distribution, and Broking. In her current role at 360 Commercial, Megan has closely collaborated with many of our broker partners in the two years since joining 360. Outside of work, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and cheering on her favourite AFL team, the Brisbane Lions.

 

Life at 360

What was your first week at 360 like
Even before I had started at 360, everyone was so incredibly welcoming and supportive that by day one, it felt like I was already well and truly part of the team. It certainly helped me to hit the ground running.

This is a business that is driven by relationships, both internally and externally. We have great people doing great things and it’s so refreshing to hear the feedback in the market from our broker partners. Our nimbleness allows us to get things done quickly and effectively, a really refreshing environment to come into.

 

What do you hope to achieve in the next 12 months at 360?

Be empowered to take on bigger challenges.

I was lucky to be part of the Inaugural 360 Emerging Leaders Program this year, so it’ll be great to put those learnings into practice including finding a good balance between internal projects and customer-facing tasks.

 

If you had to describe your team at 360 in 3 words, what would they be?

Motivated, Supportive & Connected

 

Getting to know Meg

What is the one musician or band (dead or alive) that you would like to see?

An absolute icon of his time, Michael Jackson. We recently saw MJ The Musical in Sydney, and you forget how good his music is 30+ years on and how amazing of a performer he was.

 

If you had to host a dinner party with any 3 guests, who would they be?

  1. Michelle Obama – It’d be great to have insight into what her world was like during her time in the White House and how she remained a strong and authentic person throughout.
  2.  Lin-Manuel Miranda – For his incredible creative and witty mind.
  3. Jason Sudeikis in character as Ted Lasso – For his optimistic and kind-hearted approach to life and leadership.

 

If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?

Long distance running and use it as a time to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

 

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?

Dubai. The gateway to the world whilst still being relatively close to home.

 

What would the title of your autobiography be?

Driven by Heart & Hustle

 

Who is someone you admire?

My Mum. I admire her resilience and dedication to everything she does. No matter how busy life gets, she’ll drop everything to support anyone who needs it. Her ability to be present and lend a hand is something I truly cherish and hope to embody both at home and work always.

 

What is your death row meal?

Don’t mind, as long as I don’t have to cook and clean up afterwards! Hard to go past a Club Sandwich from the RACV Club though!

 

 

Get in touch with Megan as per details below:

 

National Distribution Manager

M. +61 407 240 787

E. megan.duckworth@360uw.com.au

 

With a career spanning over 25 years across New South Wales, Western Australia, and Queensland, Shane brings deep industry expertise and a wealth of leadership experience to the Insurance Sector. Having held senior roles at major firms including CGU, Allianz, and now Aviso, Shane has developed a broad understanding of both underwriting and broking. For the past six years, Shane has been a key driver in the success and evolution of Aviso Broking. His proudest achievements stem from not only the growth of the business, but also from his commitment to developing the people within it.

Shane is passionate about building and maintaining strong relationships and thrives on delivering tailored solutions that meet his clients' unique needs. Whether forging new partnerships or strengthening long-standing ones, Shane brings energy and strategic insight to every deal.

Life at 360

What was your first week at 360 like?
Strategically short, starting on a 3 day week! Very productive - I have hit the ground running with catch ups with key people, and reintroducing myself to our key partners.

What do you hope to achieve in the next 12 months at 360?
I’m excited to build new connections that will help us grow stronger, together. Having been a customer for the last 6 years, I’ve watched 360 evolve with immense respect, and this new chapter feels like an incredible opportunity to contribute to our shared success. I’m eager to collaborate, innovate, and support our ongoing journey towards excellence!

If you had to describe your team at 360 in 3 words, what would they be?
Passionate, aligned, and driven.

Getting to know Shane

What is the one musician or band (dead or alive) that you would like to see?
David Bowie

If you had to host a dinner party with any 3 guests, who would they be?

If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?
Conspiracy Theory Debunker

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?
In a VIP suite of a hotel with an on-site golf course. In close proximity to White Hart Lane, to watch the mighty Spurs on a regular basis.

What would the title of your autobiography be?
"Insured, Inspired, and Slightly Offside: Finding my way to 360, with Spurs, Slices & Solid Mates"

Who is someone you admire?
In a Mount Rushmore kind of way:

What is your death row meal?
Something Asian, Curry, Dumplings, Chinese or Thai – definitely no seafood

Get in touch with Shane as per details below:
Head of Partnerships - Commercial
M. +61 404 801 068
E. shane.risby@360uw.com.au

Varn is a driven and customer-focused Insurance professional, with over 10 years experience in the Industry. Those who deal with Varn always comment on the effort & enthusiasm that she brings to every interaction, and into finding solutions for her brokers. Starting her career in Claims has given her a deep understanding of how Insurance should serve its customers, and the logical progression into Underwriting has equipped her with the skills to understand & underwrite a wide variety of risks. Her skills and dedication has seen her progress quickly through the Industry, across multiple roles in Underwriting and Distribution. Varn’s passion is forging new relationships in the broker market and she is a huge advocate in the value intermediaries bring to their clients. Outside of work, she’s a keen oztag player and a force to be reckoned with on the field.

Get in touch with Varnmarie as per details below:

Underwriting Development Manager – NSW
P. 02 9056 1493
M. +61 459 478 992
varnmarie.lucas@360uw.com.au

Getting to know Varnmarie:

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In 2020, two new laws were passed that directly concern the building industry in NSW and will have a corresponding effect on the insurance industry. Given that these changes involve mandatory insurance requirements, insurance Brokers need to be aware of their responsibilities when providing cover to clients based on these new laws. To help Brokers get a handle on these responsibilities, the team at 360 Construction and Engineering have put together a short jargon-free summary of the key points you need to know. Please note, we are insurance experts, not lawyers, so please seek independent legal advice where required.

What initiated these new laws?

Due to the high-profile incidents involving newly constructed defective apartment buildings and issues surrounding combustible cladding, a parliamentary enquiry was established on July 4th, 2019. The final report was submitted in April 2020 and included 20 recommendations for sweeping changes within the building industry. The result was two new laws aimed at improving the quality and compliance of construction work in NSW and rebuilding consumer confidence in the industry.

What do these new laws cover?

There are two key points contained in the Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 that affect how Brokers formulate cover for their building and construction clients. These are that all design and building practitioners, as well as engineers and specialist practitioners, must be registered and must also declare that their work complies with the Building Code of Australia. The key point of the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020 is that it provides an investigative and enforcement arm to the laws that govern the building industry. The Act established the office of a Building Commissioner in NSW with a focus on auditing building sites and identifying defects during construction. These defects will need to be rectified prior to an occupation certificate being issued. For consumers, this Act was designed to prevent them from buying buildings with serious defects.

When will all recommendations from this report come into force?

All of the recommendations of the final report will be implemented in stages and completed by the end of August 2021. The Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 came into force on June 10th, 2020, but there are a number of sections that will not commence until July 1st, 2021. All changes included in the Residential Apartment Buildings (Compliance and Enforcement Powers) Act 2020, were implemented on September 1st, 2020.

Mandatory insurance requirements

The Design and Building Practitioners Act 2020 sets out a mandatory insurance requirement for all registered design and construction practitioners, including engineers. Regulations to support these requirements have yet to be formulated, however, practitioners will be required to hold professional indemnity and/or warranty insurance.

How do these reforms impact the insurance industry?

Here are the key impacts that these changes will have on the insurance industry.

At 360 Underwriting, we have experts available to discuss your specific needs. To speak to 360 Construction & Engineering, call us on 1800 411 580 or send us an email at construction@360uw.com.au.

Please note the information in this article Is general in nature and should not be relied upon as advice, as it doesn’t consider your personal needs, objectives and financial situation. The contents of this article should not be relied upon as legal advice. Please see advice from your independent legal adviser. All coverage is subject to the specific terms and conditions contained In the Policy wording.

Paul is a passionate business leader with a track record of building successful teams over 20 years in the industry. He boasts a wide breadth of experience across roles in both Product and Distribution, delivering on financial and nonfinancial goals. Paul has also held National roles building and launching Broker Engagement and segmentation models.

Paul spent 12 years at Allianz, culminating in the key roles as State Manager for both Western Australia and NSW/ACT with responsibility for underwriting and distribution. Proudly, Paul is a vocal advocate for the role of the Broker and the importance of advice provided by intermediary’s to clients.

Get in touch with Paul as per details below:

T. 02 9056 1481
M. 0417 469 485
E. paul.riordan@360uw.com.au

Getting to know Paul:

 

The Founders of 360 Underwriting Solutions would like to share some exciting developments taking place in our business.

As a result of the growth we have enjoyed in our Commercial business as well as our promise to deliver solutions you want, service you expect and people you know, we are delighted to announce that Paul Riordan has been appointed as the Executive Director of our 360 Commercial business.

In more recent times, Paul was the State Manager for Allianz in their Broker and Agency Division having previously held Senior Distribution, Underwriting and Strategic Relationship Management roles at both Allianz and Vero.

His appointment will add significant experience and depth to our Commercial offering as well as enhancing our Commercial Motor proposition as we continue to look for ways of providing holistic solutions for our broker partners Commercial customers.

Paul will commence on the 1st of  October and report to Chris Lynch who has responsibility for the Commercial classes in the Group.

Please join us in welcoming Paul Riordan to 360 Underwriting Solutions.

Denis Morrissey & Chris Lynch

 

CLICK HERE to find out more about 360 Commercial.

Amidst all the Covid-19 stresses and pressures, we are pleased to have continued to strongly move forward across the 360 Group. In fact, during this time we have added an additional 10 staff to the broader team. Additional to this, we are launching a new Agency (360 Casualty) and taking the opportunity to make a few changes to the 360 Commercial staff members to optimise and promote from within:

Paul McKeough
Paul will take a lead role in establishing our 360 Casualty business and as such will move out of his current role managing a key Broker segment within the 360 Commercial team. For the next 12 months (or so) will concentrate on:

Lisa Davies
Taking over the segment managed by Paul McKeough, Lisa has been promoted to the 360 Commercial Underwriting Development Manager. Lisa will commence in the role after the NSW July school holidays and was the logical choice for the position as she brings to it all the leadership, experience and broker focus skills that we need to follow on from Paul’s departure.

Kirsty Hassell
As a flow on from Lisa’s move, we need someone to take over her role of local IT champion / SME (subject matter expert) for our 360 Commercial Compass platform and to be the focal point for underwriter and broker service challenges. Kirsty clearly has an aptitude in this space, working with Lisa on a more thorough hand-over.

Belinda Basha
Belinda joined the 360 Commercial team on 1st June to fill the NSW Underwriting Development Manager role. She comes with a wealth of experience in Underwriting (CGU, NAB & Cover-More Travel Insurance), Broking with Insurance House Group & PSC Connect, as well as running her own clothing company for 3 years.

Welcome, and Congratulations to all staff.

CLICK HERE for all 360 Staff Contacts

360 Commercial is a specialised product on the broker market. Its simplified design and expanded covers were built to combat the industry’s commoditisation of business packages. Delivered electronically, but where it can’t, the team is here for your call. Get to know the 360 Commercial Team Leaders below:

P. 1800 411 580
E. commercial@360uw.com.au

Donna Garry

Donna Garry

360 Commercial
Underwriting Development Manager
P. +61 403 183 562
donna.garry@360uw.com.au

Getting to know Donna:

  1. Where do you most hope to visit? Scotland, Ireland and Wales
  2. Where is the most interesting place you’ve been? Nashville
  3. Who’s your go to band or artist? Eric Church, Keith Urban or anything Country
  4. What is your pet hate? People leaving spoons in the sink
  5. What are you addicted to? Rum

Paul Jeffery

360 Commercial
National Product & Development Manager
P. +61 437 439 312
paul.jeffery@360uw.com.au

Getting to know PJ:

  1. What are you reading/watching currently? Empire of Ashes by Anthony Ryan.
  2. What was your first job? Sand Blaster for an Engineering firm
  3. What is something that people are obsessed with but you just don’t get the point of? Tattoos
  4. Who’s your go to band or artist? AC/DC or Cold Chisel
  5. What is your most used emoji?

Paul McKeough

360 Commercial
National Underwriting Development Manager
P. +61 417 000 559
paul.mckeough@360uw.com.au

Getting to know Paul:

  1. What are you currently watching? Shameless
  2. What is the first concert you attended? Powderfinger
  3. Where do you most hope to visit? Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Telos Islands, Indonesia
  4. What was your first job? Cooking Fillet o Fish and Nuggets at McDonalds
  5. Where is the most interesting place you’ve been? Split decision between Male’ and Tokyo

Chris Lynch

360 Commercial
Director
P. +61 406 537 432
chris.lynch@360uw.com.au

Getting to know Chris:

  1. What are you currently reading/watching? 360 Underwriting Manual
  2. What age do you wish you could permanently be, and why? 22, I was awesome
  3. What are you addicted to? Pepsi Max & Red Rock Deli (sea salt) chips
  4. What is one of your favourite smells? Rain
  5. What would be your spirit animal? Tiger

Kirsty is a valued Underwriter in the 360 Commercial team, based in 360's Newcastle office in Charlestown.  She recently spent her 30th Birthday in Africa climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, and says:

" The climb was so testing and really hard. There were a few moments where I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it, especially on the summit night when we went to bed the night before at 7pm to be woken up at 10pm to start hiking up to the top. About 4am when my fingers, toes and legs froze, I had to use my hands to move my legs one in front of the next, as I was crying out of pure exhaustion! The guides were singing to motivate us and as the sun started to come up we could see the summit. It was like YES we’ve got this - and we all made it to the top!

My birthday was so special and more than I could have asked for. I was still on the mountain and all 50 guides/porters and the rest of the group gathered under the backdrop of Kilimanjaro and sang happy birthday."

Getting to know Kirsty:

  1. What are you currently reading/watching?
    Peaky Blinders
  2. What is your pet hate?
    People being negative and people constantly on their phone especially when in company of others! They need to live in the moment in the real world NOT the digital one!
  3. What was your first job? 
    Looking after other people's horses whilst they were away on holidays
  4. What is the most interesting place you've been?
    Tanzania - It stole my heart: the culture, the people, the way of life !!!
  5. Who is your go to band or artist when you can't decide on something to listen to?
    Imagine Dragons
  6. If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?
    Healthcare (Doctor/Nursing) so i could volunteer and help people in poor countries that cant afford health care


Kirsty Hassell

360 Commercial
Underwriter
P. 02 4077 3853
kirsty.hassell@360uw.com.au

Trade media, Internal staff announcement, All claims business partners, All Broker Principals of those brokers with a 360 Commercial Agency

It is now just over 12 months since the ownership of the 360 Commercial business transferred from SURA to its new owners.

During this time, SURA has continued to provide Finance, Claims, IT, HR and Compliance services in a transitional capacity while the new Directors built that capability within the 360 business.

While considerable progress has been made with the creation and establishment of all the transitional functions within 360 Underwriting Solutions, we are delighted to announce that from Monday 1 October 360 Claims will commence operations.

The Team

Having already announced the appointment of Norlie Dooma as our Head of Claims, two highly experienced Claims professionals have been appointed to join the 360 team;

What Claims will 360 Claims Manage?

From Monday 1 October, all open claims from policies that were incepted on or after 1 July 2017 will transfer from the SURA
Claims team to 360 Claims.

All new claims on policies that were incepted on or after 1 July 2017 will be lodged and managed by 360 Claims.

Will SURA Claims still be involved in 360 Commercial Claims?

Yes, SURA will continue to manage those outstanding claims from policies that were incepted on or before 30 June 2017.

SURA will also lodge and manage any late reported claims from policies that were incepted on or before 30 June 2017.

It is important to remember that the critical date for the transfer of the portfolio from SURA to 360 Underwriting Solutions is determined by the date a policy was incepted. This date determines whether SURA or 360 Claims will be responsible for the Claims experience.

Timeline of activity between now and the commencement of 360 Claims

Monday 10 September:
Following a week-long induction, 360 Claims staff have been working within the SURA Claims Team to develop a detailed understanding of the 360 Commercial product’s interpretations, the systems and approach to claims.

Monday 17 September:
The 360 Claims staff will collegiately manage all new and open claims with the SURA Claims Management Team and their names will start to appear on claims correspondence.

Monday 24 September:
The 360 Claims team will start liaising with all Brokers and external parties on the day to day management of claims and will call all our broker partners to introduce themselves.

Friday 12 October:
The 360 Claims Team will have called all Brokers with an open claim to discuss the current status of the claims and to discuss and agree next steps.

360 Claims Contact Details

The following contact details will take effect from Monday 1 October:

Should you have any questions as to how these changes may affect either the relationship you enjoy with SURA or 360 Commercial, please feel free to contact either of us on the contact numbers noted below.

Kind Regards,[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin="default" top_padding="30" text_align="left"][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]Denis Morrissey
Director

T: +61 2 9047 9801 | M: +61 416 279 034
E: denis.morrissey@360uw.com.au | www.360uw.com.au
Lvl 18, 201 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
360 Underwriting Solutions Pty Ltd, ABN 18 120 261 270 AFSL 319181[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid"][vc_column_text]Angie Zissis
Managing Director

T: +61 2 9455 2079 | M: +61 414 995 670
E: angie.zissis@sura.com.au | www.sura.com.au
SURA, Lvl 14, 141 Walker Street, North Sydney NSW 2060
SURA PTY LTD, ABN 36 115 672 350 AFSL 294313[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]