Speaker Information

Jeremy Corbett is a 6'2" stand-up comedian, radio and TV presenter, computer programmer and Leo who was born in Westport, grew up in Palmerston North and now lives in Auckland. He has graciously agreed to be the master of ceremonies for the 2011 Your Edge Liability Symposium.

You most likely know him as the host of 7 Days on TV3 on Friday nights. He has also hosted Deal or No Deal in New Zealand and has given his kiss of death to various other TV projects. He has been the host of More FM, Auckland's breakfast show since the station launched 18 years ago. His entry was removed from Wikipedia due to "No indication of importance" (apparently it's been re-instated which actually makes him feel less special).

Dr Alan Bollard has been governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand since 2002. His earlier public service included four years as secretary to the Treasury (1998-2002), and chair of the Commerce Commission (1994-1998).

He was director of the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (1987-1994) and has written a number of books on the New Zealand economy. Dr Bollard has also worked as an economist in a variety of positions in the United Kingdom and in the South Pacific.

Chris Ryan is currently chief executive of the Insurance Council, a position he has held for the past ten years. During this time he has been involved in government lobbying and a wide range of issues relating to insurance industry regulation, reputation and education.

He is also familiar with risk management and international insurance issues relating to both domestic and commercial insurance.

Chris is past President of The New Zealand Branch of the Insurance Institute (ANZIIF) and recently completed a term as a Board Member for ANZIIF.

Chris has a detailed knowledge of the new Prudential Supervision laws, and has been extensively involved in the industry's response to the Canterbury earthquakes.

Roger Scholes is Lumley's technical claims manager for broker products.

He is one of the foremost claims management specialists in the New Zealand market with a wealth of experience in managing large and technically complex claims.

Roger is highly respected in the broker market for his sound technical skills and expertise in claims management.

He has spent 40 years in the insurance industry both here and in Britain mainly within the claims field. Before joining Lumley, Roger was the New Zealand claims manager at ACE Insurance for over 30 years.

Roger is also vice president for the New Zealand Law Association, a member of the Insurance Council Claims Managers Working Group and the Fraud Working Group.

Darryl Cowan is manager of the specialist commercial division at Cunningham Lindsey in Auckland.

After completing a commerce degree, Darryl started his career with KPMG where he held various positions in Auckland and London. As audit manager his main areas of focus were public accounting.

Since 1981 Darryl has been with Cunningham Lindsey. He is currently manager of the Specialist Commercial Division and Investigations and concentrates on business interruption, fidelity guarantee, mortgage indemnity and financial losses.

He is a registered Chartered Accountant, Senior Associate of the Australia & New Zealand Institute of Insurance & Finance (ANZIIF) and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters UK (FCILA).

John Beckett is Lumley's property centre of expertise manager. He has over 20 years knowledge and experience in both underwriting and broking.

John previously worked as chief executive and director of Herbert Insurance Group, and held senior positions with Apex General, Heath Lambert New Zealand, Willis Corroon New Zealand, and Jardine Insurance Brokers.

With strong leadership skills and expertise in insurance, John's priority for the Lumley property team is ensuring a high level of service for brokers.

Tony Paterson is principal of Markit Law.

He has been providing insurance law advice for 25 years.

In 1987, following the Edgecumbe earthquake, he was involved in what was then one of the largest insurance claims in New Zealand's history. He later set up an insurance practice and grew it into one of the country's largest insurance law practices. In 2007 he advised on the Gisborne earthquake.

Tony was instrumental in forming the New Zealand Insurance Law Association and is a past president.

He has advised clients across the insurance field including corporates, brokers (including the former CIBNZ), underwriting agencies, insurers (both general and life), Lloyds syndicates and reinsurers.

Tony set up his own practice a number of years ago, and is currently advising clients in relation to the Canterbury earthquakes.

Garth is a partner with Duncan Cotterill in Auckland.

He has extensive experience in insurance-related litigation and general civil litigation. He has advised numerous insurance companies and underwriters, particularly in relation to professional indemnity, statutory liability and public liability insurance.

Garth's general civil litigation practice covers all of the various Courts and Tribunals. He has acted for solicitors, accountants, real estate agents, valuers and a range of organisations in defence of professional negligence claims.

In addition to his litigation experience, Garth has extensive experience in alternative dispute resolution, especially mediation.

Michael Robertson has spent the last 23 years practising in insurance law acting for a wide range of domestic and international insurers. He works in all aspects of liability and general commercial insurance. Michael specialises in professional indemnity and liability insurance, drafting policies, risk management and claims resolution across a range of professions and industries.

Helen Twomey has practised in insurance law since 2003 and has a strong focus on liability insurance. Helen's practice is concentrated on claims involving the legal profession, accountants and the financial services sector for which she provides claims handling, policy drafting and risk management advice.

Philippa Fee has been practicing as a broadbased commercial litigation specialist since 1980. She became a partner at Jones Fee in 1986. She regularly advises corporate clients in dispute resolution, litigation and commercial advice in New Zealand and overseas.

John Bierre is a senior litigation partner at Morgan Coakle and specialises in insurance law, bankruptcy and insolvency, building and construction law, and family law. His particular focus is in the area of professional indemnity litigation.

Paul is responsible for leading Lumley's product portfolios as we strengthen our claims and underwriting performance, and execute our business strategies. Along with Dean Edwards, Paul manages Lumley's Broker division.

Paul has in excess of 25 years industry experience and has developed an extensive knowledge of reinsurance and insurance including the structuring of insurance programmes and assisting clients with technical insurance matters.

He is a past Board Member for the Insurance Council of New Zealand and past examiner for the Australia and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) and he currently serves on the New Zealand Branch Executive for ANZIIF.

As General Manager Broker Distribution, Dean is responsible for Lumley's branch network, our Broker partners' relationship programme and is also responsible for the execution of Lumley Broker's distribution strategies. Together with Paul Munton, General Manager Broker Products, he leads Lumley's broker division and is a member of Lumley's executive team.

Dean has 20 years' insurance experience in both broking and underwriting and has extensive knowledge in Liability underwriting, having led Lumley's Liability division.