New underwriting agency Blend Insurance Solutions Pty Ltd a Sydney-based Lloyd’s syndicate service company, has launched into the Australian market with an immediate presence after securing an accident & health renewal rights deal with Beazley Underwriting Pty Limited.
Blend has secured the renewal rights to Beazley’s local portfolio giving the start-up an immediate presence in Australia and New Zealand and enabling accelerated growth of the business. The business will be led by CEO, Chris Newing who joined the start-up in February after more than a decade with Chubb (formerly ACE) in various senior management roles across the Asia Pacific region, most recently Consumer Manager, Australia and New Zealand.
Newing said, “I am very excited about launching Blend at a time when customers and distribution partners’ expectations from their insurance providers are rapidly evolving. Blend is well positioned to deliver solutions satisfying these needs, with an initial focus on ensuring the smooth transition of the Beazley portfolio with our distribution partners”.
Former Beazley Head of Australian Accident & Health, Suzanne White has joined Blend to take on the role of General Manager, Distribution (Coverholders & Brokers), ensuring leadership and relationship continuity. Newing added, “We are thrilled Suzanne has joined Blend. She is completely focussed on delivering exemplary service and will play an important role in our growth”.
White will be responsible for managing relationships and working closing with coverholders and a significant number of broker groups.
Blend business will be placed at Lloyd’s of London via specialty insurer Advent Capital (Holdings) LTD’s Syndicate 780, which has been trading for more than 40 years and is part of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, a significant global player in specialty accident & health business.
Newing concluded, “Our immediate priority is taking care of Beazley customers but we also see a great opportunity to evolve the industry and take a lead from other industries with developments such as personalised products and optimised programs for distribution partners”.