SYDNEY, 18 October 2007 – Aiming to grow its corporate insurance and risk management business, Aon Australia has appointed three top industry experts to focus on client service, business development and mergers and acquisition strategy.
Aon’s NSW state manager, James Baum, said the new recruits - Kevin O’Reilly, Joel Hepburn-Brown and Guy Smith - each had a combination of global and local industry experience making them ideal in meeting the growing insurance and risk management needs of Aon’s clients.
“Kevin O’Reilly joins us from Aon Canada where he served as a senior vice president with Aon Reed Stenhouse in their Toronto office since 1998,” Baum said.
“In this role Kevin was responsible for 75 staff across a number of corporate teams. Originally from Ireland, Kevin has more than 20 years international experience with Aon and has worked in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. He will be responsible for the growth team in our Sydney office.
“Joel Hepburn-Brown is a qualified lawyer and has sound experience in insurance due diligence and transaction liability expertise. He will play a project management role in Aon’s mergers and acquisitions team focussing on insurance due diligence projects and transaction liability opportunities.
“Guy Smith joins Aon Australia as the head of the professions team. He joins us from Aon London where he was the Deputy Legal Director. Guy has a diverse background with more than 17 years experience in both the legal and broking professions. He started his career in private practice as a solicitor in Melbourne before moving to London initially in a broking role, before joining the Aon London Legal team where he has spent the last seven years.”
Baum said Aon had also promoted several internal staff into new roles.
“Toby Preston will relocate from Melbourne to the Sydney office where he will assume responsibility for the professional indemnity portfolio of the program design and placement team and will work closely with Guy Smith in developing leading edge solutions for our professional clients.
“Peter Steen has also moved into a new role. Previously Aon’s industry head of property, Peter will bring his knowledge of clients and portfolios to the business development team, working with Kevin O’Reilly on major corporate opportunities. Prior to his seven years with Aon, Peter had 30 years in the insurance industry working on global accounts and captive account management, including a five year stint in New Zealand as managing director of a major risk management company.”
Baum said the new staff would add to Aon’s reputation as the number one insurance broker and risk management adviser in Australia. “We are committed to continue our industry leadership in attracting, retaining and motivating the best people,” he said.