First class
An Underwriting Agencies Council course for future leaders has named its inaugural student intake
By Wendy Pugh
A landmark leadership program tailored to mid-career professionals in the underwriting agency sector will begin next year, with the first intake selected from more than 70 applications.
The Underwriting Agencies Council Leadership Academy – two years in the making – provides mentoring and skills development targeted to a key part of the insurance landscape.
UAC member agencies are responsible for more than $10 billion of premium spent by Australian businesses and consumers annually, and brokers have increasingly looked to the services and expertise provided.
Chief executive Jenny Bax says the academy represents a major investment in the long-term strength of the underwriting agency sector. The class of ’26 will be followed by annual intakes.
“Our members consistently tell us that talent development is one of their biggest challenges, and this program is our response, a structured pathway that builds capability, confidence and connection for the leaders who will shape our industry’s future,” she tells Insurance News.
The program, sponsored by HDI Global, will be delivered with support from the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance.
Six modules from March to September cover topics including leadership, business planning, underwriting and portfolio management, claims, capacity and distribution models, governance and regulatory compliance, plus data, artificial intelligence and digital disruption.
Guidance will be provided by industry experts, with program delivery including workshops, real-world examples and case studies, roundtable discussions and tech demos.
Participants also complete online ANZIIF modules along with the in-person sessions, and will graduate with a certificate in organisational leadership.
HDI Global Asia-Pacific head Stefan Feldmann says the distinctive model of combining structured education with experiential learning, mentoring and hands-on engagement underpinned the insurer’s decision to be a program sponsor.
The initiative aligns with needs HDI has identified in the industry and a gap in the market for structured leadership development among underwriters – particularly for people who may possess strong technical abilities but lack access to consistent, high-quality coaching.
The academy program equips future leaders with communication, decision-making and people-management skills that are increasingly essential in the sector, strengthens succession pipelines and raises overall capabilities. HDI head of delegated authority Peter Gezimati says the focus on agencies makes the program unique.
“These businesses are often entrepreneurial and may not have formal leadership programs … The academy fills that gap, offering both structure and high-quality mentoring to support their growth,” he says.
“Beyond technical expertise, the academy’s strong emphasis on leadership, communication, and collaboration helps develop well-rounded leaders for the future of the sector.
“This creates a powerful cycle of growth, as graduates go on to mentor their own teams, elevating the next generation of underwriters and business leaders.”
A judging panel assessed 72 applicants, with the intake narrowed to 26 from the agency space and three business service members.
Criteria considered included aspirations and approach to leadership, existing skills and the alignment of candidates’ goals with academy objectives.
“We were genuinely overwhelmed by both the volume and the calibre of applications,” Ms Bax says. “It reaffirmed what many of us already knew – the underwriting agency community is rich with talent, ambition and emerging leadership potential.
“The depth of skill and passion across the sector is extraordinary, and selecting the final cohort was a very tough process for our judges.”
Below, we meet some of the 2026 intake.
Nate Scott – senior underwriter, Heavy Motor Insurance Australia
Heavy motor insurance has been Mr Scott’s focus since moving from Goulburn to Sydney and entering the industry.
He says he started in an insurance company call centre two decades ago before joining a motor underwriting agency and later moving to another role in the business area that has become his specialty.
“I saw there was a heavy motor underwriting position available and thought that’d be interesting, and I haven’t looked back since. It’s now been 15 years,” he says.
Heavy motor is an evolving sector, particularly with the uptake of electric vehicles and other changing factors, and transport businesses often operate on minimal margins in a sometimes cut-throat industry, he says.
On the insurance side, Mr Scott says it is an interesting time amid the emergence of artificial intelligence and companies considering how to adopt the technology while balancing the importance of human interaction.
He aims to move into an underwriting management position and says the course offers a unique insurance leadership focus.
“I’m excited not only to learn from the mentors and the current leaders running the program, but also you are surrounded by like-minded individuals wanting the same out of their career, and you can learn from that as well.”
Jessica Blachura – national sales, distribution and portfolio manager, Farm and Regional, 360 Underwriting Solutions
An interest in agriculture and regional Australia provided a pathway into insurance for Ms Blachura, who has been in the industry for a decade.
She grew up on the rural fringes of Sydney, gained early work experience on a dairy farm and studied agricultural business management followed by an MBA at university in Wagga Wagga.
After considering banking as an option, Ms Blachura selected insurance and joined the industry through a corporate graduate program.
The role appealed because it was also related to finance and “had strong involvement in the agricultural sector, supporting local communities”.
A move into the underwriting agency arena more than three years ago has proved another significant career step.
“I’m a massive fan of the agency landscape,” she says. “I think you have a lot of autonomy to make decisions quickly. “We’re agile and can implement changes quickly in line with our customers’ expectations, in partnership with our capacity provider.”
Ms Blachura says agencies are innovative and are well placed to implement niche solutions for customers rather than taking a generalist approach.
The Leadership Academy offers the chance to continue learning, develop skills, hear from industry experts and join with a cohort of like-minded peers, she says.
Ms Blachura is enthusiastic about spreading the word about insurance to young people considering career options, and says the academy is another example of the opportunities on offer.
“I think it’s a wonderful initiative and something that drew my attention straight away.”
Yasoda Stephenson – financial lines state manager, CFC Underwriting
Ms Stephenson is looking forward to starting the course next year and says: “When I had a look at the curriculum they’d put together, I was really impressed. It seemed to be really thoughtfully designed and really aligned with my career goals and aspirations.”
Ms Stephenson, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the insurance industry, has found her niche in financial lines.
“I like that it challenges me and every risk is different, even when it’s the same occupation,” she says. “The claims we pay can be vital. For many small businesses, insurance is what keeps them trading and careers moving forward.”
Ms Stephenson says insurance offers a community as well as a career, and she is passionate about mentoring emerging talent and helping highlight the industry as a rewarding, enjoyable career path.
“Insurance is often underrated. People don’t see it as glamorous, but it’s actually an amazing industry with real impact. I think that’s something we need to promote more.”
Jack Calderan – business development underwriter, NSW, ACT and WA, Argyle Insurance
After beginning his career in banking, Mr Calderan completed an insurer graduate program and this year joined the agencies sector as he widens his experience. He says agencies offer different opportunities compared to working within a corporate environment.
“The agencies are a lot smaller than the big insurers, so you can pick up a lot of skill sets which you might not specifically be able to pick up in the large insurers.
“Part of the reason why I joined Argyle is really because I wanted to broaden my horizons.”
Growing agencies are shaping the future of insurance in Australia and are at the forefront of digital technology adoption, he says.
Mr Calderan, who completed a marketing-focused business degree, says the sector-specific UAC program offers the chance to expand his network, challenge himself and better understand the sector, which he joined about four years ago.
“This program is obviously around leadership and developing my skills, but it’s also just learning more about the industry.”
Mr Calderan – a NSW Young Insurance Professionals committee member – says the multifaceted nature of insurance includes analysing risks and pricing, understanding claims processes and learning about client businesses. And it offers many pathways.
“Where you start is not necessarily where you are going to end, and you’ve got a lot of opportunity in insurance. But also, it helps that it’s quite social as well.”
Leadership Academy class of ’26
Michael Atkinson, Jessica Blachura, Jack Calderan, Ben Corby, Taylor Cull (Harradine), Sarah Driscoll, Andrew Ewin, Selina Fowler, Sophie Fowler, Joanna Hayes, Matthew Herbig, Tim Jeffrey, Daniel Joiner, Brody Ledder, Michelle Macris, Sam McRae, Daniel Miller, Adreanna Murphy, Charlie Raward, James Read, Sara Rusdiah, Nate Scott, Yasoda Stephenson, Amelia Stone, Ned Taylor, Kat Viciulis, Graham Whitty, Samuel Wolozny, Anna Zeeng
