Four QBE rising stars on Insurance Business 'Young Guns' list

QBE Insurance Australia (QBE) is pleased to have four of its rising stars named in the top 50 insurance 'Young Guns' list, compiled by leading industry publication Insurance Business.

The annual list celebrates the emerging talent under 35 years of age, from across all sectors of the industry.

The QBE nominees represent the varied career paths available with the insurance industry:

Ben Richardson, 26, fast-tracked his career after leaving QBE’s 2012 graduate program early to jump straight into the professional lines team as an underwriter. Ben is working on further specialising in cyber security both from an insurance and risk management perspective and has been central to developing QBE’s reputation with the industry as a cyber security specialist.

Simon Hooper, 26, was previously recruited as a pilot for the Royal Australia Air Force, but has since forged a career on land, underwriting general aviation and unmanned aircraft business in Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific and Asia. Simon has also been elected to the board of the Australian Association of Unmanned Systems.

Andrew Michell, 32, is a great example of QBE development programs ability to identify and foster emerging talent, having joined the company as a mail services assistant in 2004. Following multiple promotions and graduating from the eQuip program, Andrew is now a business relationship manager and hopes to further his career in business management.

Luke Verhoff, 33, is currently a senior underwriter in the professional lines division and is currently a member of QBE’s technology panel, with responsibility for development of cyber and ICT products. Luke’s had considerable experience in training brokers and colleagues and is nearing completion of his MBA, with a major in entrepreneurial management.

Jason Clarke, Executive General Manager, Intermediary Distribution, said the insurer was delighted to have such a strong representation on the annual list. "I am incredibly proud to see some of QBE’s best and brightest achieving recognition by a respected industry publication," Clarke said. "To have not one, but four of our team listed in a year that attracted a record number of nominations is outstanding.

"QBE believes in investing in developing emerging talent, which is reflected in our recruitment strategy, as well as initiatives such as our graduate program and Equip, a development program for young brokers. External recognition, such as the Young Guns, is testament to that approach," he said.

The Young Guns 2016 list is published in the August edition of Insurance Business.

For further information please contact:
Kate Sinclair
Senior Communications Specialist
QBE Australia
Phone: 02 9375 4882
Email: kate.sinclair@qbe.com