Leadership team

NZI’s leadership team is responsible for the strategic direction and operational delivery of the NZI business in New Zealand.

Karl Armstrong, Executive General Manager NZI

Karl Armstrong was appointed Executive General Manager of NZI in August 2008.

Karl joined NZI in 1971 and spent 18 years working for NZI and GA in the UK. He returned to New Zealand in 1994, one of his responsibilities was to set up the Accident Insurance division in 1998 when ACC was open for competition. Karl's experience includes Underwriting and Risk Management, Reinsurance, Sales, Broker Relationship Management and Marketing.

As Executive General Manager, Karl is responsible for broker related business, strategic planning and broker claims.  

Jo Mason, General Manager Corporate and Niche Business

After successfully helping to deliver record profit for NZI, Jo Mason has moved into a new role as GM Corporate and Niche Business. Jo's three key areas of responsibility are the NZI Corporate Unit, NZI Liability (formerly NZI Professional Risks), and NZI Marine.
Prior to this she was NZI’s National Broker Sales Manager, (now known as GM - Distribution) responsible for NZI’s commercial branch network, for three years. 

Jo has spent more than 25 years in the insurance industry, both in New Zealand and Australia.  Previous positions include State Manager – South Australia for Allianz Australia Limited, State Executive – Tasmania for IAG, and Broker Manager – Auckland for NZI.

Jo is a Senior Associate of the Australia and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance. Her career highlights include being named as one of two people selected for the Aviva worldwide business programme in 2003 and completing the INSEAD International Business School (France) Advanced Management Program in 2010.

John Chandler, General Manager Distribution

Having held the demanding, dual function NZI Claims and Personal Lines Manager role since February 2007, John has embarked on a new challenge in commercial sales.

As GM Distribution, John is responsible for ensuring NZI’s eight broker branches achieve the operational goals of the company, as well as overseeing strategic relationships with broker partners.

John’s previous roles with NZI include Broker Claims Manager (appointed February 2007), Personal Lines Manager (appointed May 2008), and prior to that he was Leadership and Learning Manager of IAG New Zealand and Claims Technical Manager of State Insurance.

John has spent more than 10 years in the New Zealand insurance industry.  He is a Senior Associate of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance and Member of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand.

Garry Taylor, General Manager Personal Lines and Support

Garry Taylor joined the NZI executive team as general manager personal lines andsupport in July this year. He has 18 years insurance experience with IAG, the last four of which as the head of commercial direct in State.

Prior to this Garry has held various management roles in personal sales, broker account management and commercial underwriting. One of Garry's key strengths is his ability to build a culture of high performance — focused on people achieving their goals and business objectives. 

Mick Miller, General Manager Claims

Mick Miller is responsible for overseeing the successful operation of the NZI claims function and managing four regional claims centres that deliver exceptional claims service to NZI’s brokers and their customers.

Prior to his appointment as GM Claims, Mick headed up NZI Marine for three years and before that held various marine insurance roles for different companies in New Zealand and the United Kingdom including: Marine Sales and Development Manager of Vero, Marine Global Practice Leader of Royal and Sun Alliance (UK), Marine Manager of HIH Winterthur, and various marine underwriting and claims roles within the Winterthur Group in New Zealand.

Mick has spent more than 20 years in the New Zealand insurance industry and he is a Fellow of the Australia and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics. 

Mick holds a Diploma in Business Studies (Insurance Management) from Massey University in New Zealand.  Other career highlights include working in New York, Singapore, Dubai, Copenhagen, Seville, Paris, Genoa and Punte Del Esta as Marine Global Practice Leader of Royal and Sun Alliance (UK).
 

Stephen Everett, General Manager Commercial Risk Services

Stephen Everett was appointed Commercial Lines Underwriting Manager in September 2006, and this role was broadened to General Manager Commercial Risk Services in July 2010. His previous positions include Underwriting Academy Manager, Senior Internal Auditor and Corporate Account Manager for NZI.

As GM Commercial Risk Services, Stephen is responsible for the strategic management of the Commercial Underwriting Team including business rules development, pricing and broker wording development, reinsurance, underwriting audits and NZI’s risk advisor team

Stephen has spent more than 15 years in the New Zealand insurance industry.  He is a Senior Associate of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance and is currently studying for a Post Graduate Diploma in business.

Michael Carswell, General Manager CPF 

Michael has 14 years market experience with NZI where he has held roles dealing with NZI's largest broker connections.

For the last five years Michael has been the National Manager of the Client Placement Facility (CPF) and has seen the facility develop into one of the largest insurers in its own right in New Zealand, whilst delivering NZI's desired business outcomes.

Michael Carswell took out the Emerging Professional Insurer of the Year award at this year's 2010 Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand (IBANZ) Awards.  The judges were impressed with Michael’s consistent professional approach, his understanding of his customers, ability to construct and negotiate appropriate added value solutions, and commitment to continuing professional development.

Brendon Ryan, General Manager Management Services

Brendon Ryan is responsible for overseeing the change programmes within NZI and driving the strategy, planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting processes as well as the Broker Delivery function to provide outstanding service and responsiveness to NZI and our brokers.

Prior to his appointment Brendon was Commercial Manager for Elders Insurance a start-up broker and previously with Lumley General Insurance in a number of senior roles, including Commercial Services Manager to the CEO, Risk & Compliance Manager and Procurement Manager. Before entering the insurance industry Brendon was a Management Consultant, Risk Advisor and Internal Auditor with PricewaterhouseCoopers in New Zealand and Australia.

Having started his career in the engineering, manufacturing and quality management fields he has over 20 years of management system and project experience. Brendon holds an engineering degree with honours, a masters degree in engineering management, is certified by the American Production and Inventory Control Society and is a member of the Risk Society of New Zealand.