DUAL said the new business unit, to be operational from October 1, will complement its current offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth and will be headed by DUAL founding member Leo Abbruzzo.
“This restructure is being implemented specifically to improve the level of service we are providing to our 650 brokers around the country,” DUAL stated.
The National Business Unit is being set up to “develop relationships with brokers with which DUAL has previously had a modest trading relationship,” the underwriter stated.
The unit will consist of a team of eight underwriters, including two relationship managers, and will also be responsible for South Australia and Tasmania.
“DUAL Australia has lost its way over the last couple of years and this restructure is about returning to our foundations of innovative solutions and exceptional service for our brokers,” said DUAL's Asia Pacific chief executive Damien Coates. Mr Coates thanked the group’s brokers for “their immense level of patience and support in what has been a difficult time for DUAL”, adding that the group planned to repay them via improved support.
“I personally am thrilled Leo has accepted this role as he has been an integral part of DUAL and this industry for so long, and his appointment shows our commitment to servicing our brokers around the country.
“The restructure will also allow our current branches to provide an improved service to a more defined group of brokers.”
As part of the restructure, DUAL announced the promotion of Clinton Evans to chief operating officer.
Mr Evans will also assume responsibility for managing the southern region and will be supported by Hamish McDonald-Nye, whom DUAL announced as the new southern region financial lines manager.
In other personnel movements, DUAL promoted Emily Winwood to marketing and relationships manager and Jane Cullen to the role of operations manager.
“Hamish, Emily and Jane represent the talented youth coming through DUAL’s management team, and Clinton taking on this much broader role is reflective of the immense contribution he has made since joining DUAL in 2009, initially to set up our A&H business,” Mr Coates said.
“We made the structural changes as we see huge opportunities in expanding our existing financial lines business, developing underinsured areas such as crime, statutory liability and cyber as well as innovating through the A&H space with sports and affinity business.”
