DUAL Announces Restructure
The aim of DUAL has always been to 'give brokers what they want' rather than 'telling them what they need'. As a result of the feedback from our recent National broker survey completed by over 320 brokers, DUAL Australia has undertaken a strategic review of its business model with a view to determining how we can enhance delivery of our products and services to our intermediary partners.
This review has resulted in an organisational restructure designed to deliver a more consistent and focused level of service. The new structure will operate with effect from 1 October 2010.
DUAL’s distribution strategy will continue to be driven by Managing Director, Damien Coates and all current State and Regional managers will report directly to Damien in the new structure.
Peter Bailey, DUAL’s recently appointed Chief Operating Officer, will now assume responsibility for Underwriting management (including product development) together with all Head Office support services including Finance, Compliance, IT, Operations, Marketing, Claims and Human Resources. As a result, the following managers will now report directly to Peter:
Leo Abbruzzo – National Product Manager, Financial Lines
Clinton Evans - National Product Manager, Accident & Health
Nick Goritsas – General Manager, Finance & Governance
Katherine Newton – General Manager, Operations & Marketing
Damien Coates commented:
Clinton Evans - National Product Manager, Accident & Health
Nick Goritsas – General Manager, Finance & Governance
Katherine Newton – General Manager, Operations & Marketing
Damien Coates commented:
"The revised structure of our Australian business will afford me the opportunity to more effectively drive DUAL’s distribution strategy together with continuing to focus on expansion in the Asia Pacific region. DUAL’s State Managers are committed to building strong local relationships and I am really looking forward to a more personal level of involvement with our key brokers and distribution partners".
In support of this initiative, DUAL is pleased to announce the formation of three new divisions:
1) Schemes & Facilities Division (Financial Lines) - this division will be headed by Jane Cullen who will report to Leo Abbruzzo. The new schemes division will be responsible for servicing DUAL’s existing schemes portfolio and will continue to pursue further growth in this important segment. Jane will remain based in Melbourne and will be supported by an underwriting team including Gemma Nord (in Brisbane) and Linda Gleave (in Sydney).
2) Corporate Division - DUAL has identified significant opportunities to expand it’s presence in the corporate and complex risks segment. This has resulted in two new appointments:
i) In relation to DUAL’s Financial Lines business, Jayson Symonds has been appointed as Head of Corporate reporting to Leo Abbruzzo. Jayson will be supported by an underwriting team consisting of Brett Sampey, James Crowther and Mitchell James (all of whom will be based in Sydney) together with Michael Ussher (based in Melbourne).
ii) in relation to DUAL’s Accident & Health business, Dominic Brannigan has been appointed as Head of Corporate reporting to Clinton Evans.
2) Corporate Division - DUAL has identified significant opportunities to expand it’s presence in the corporate and complex risks segment. This has resulted in two new appointments:
i) In relation to DUAL’s Financial Lines business, Jayson Symonds has been appointed as Head of Corporate reporting to Leo Abbruzzo. Jayson will be supported by an underwriting team consisting of Brett Sampey, James Crowther and Mitchell James (all of whom will be based in Sydney) together with Michael Ussher (based in Melbourne).
ii) in relation to DUAL’s Accident & Health business, Dominic Brannigan has been appointed as Head of Corporate reporting to Clinton Evans.
3) Underwriting Support Division - this new division will report to Katherine Newton and will be responsible for delivering greater consistency and efficiency through the centralised management of DUAL’s "fast-track" renewal portfolio. This dedicated team (initially consisting of five staff) will support all DUAL Branches in providing the highest level of service to our existing broker network in servicing the renewal requirements of their clients.
Importantly, this new structure will enable DUAL’s existing Branch network to provide an expanded product offering in the Commercial Lines sector. All Branches will now be able to offer a full suite of products in both Financial Lines and Accident & Health. This offering will be broadened further as DUAL continues to expand its product range over the coming period.
In addition, as DUAL remains committed to providing brokers with greater flexibility and lower transaction costs, a particular focus of our Branch personnel will be to continue to work with brokers to develop our electronic trading platform known as the "DUAL Web Rater".
If you have any queries regarding this announcement please do not hesitate to contact either Damien Coates (02 9248 6333) or Peter Bailey (02 9248 6348).