Emergence Insurance has expanded to Western Australia, opening an office headed by an award-winning business development manager.
James Lee has joined cyber insurance specialist Emergence as Perth-based Business Development Underwriter after 4-1/2 years with Allianz Australia.
In May, he was awarded General Insurer Business Development Manager of the Year at Insurance Business magazine’s annual awards.
James (left) and National Head of Sales Gerry Power are pictured with a broker at the UAC Brisbane Underwriting Expo.
James, who has a Bachelor degree in commerce, majoring in economics, is a committee member for Young Insurance Professionals in WA.
He chose to join Emergence because he wanted to be a specialist and cyber insurance “is emerging and ever-changing so it piqued my interest”.
James enjoys the technical skills of underwriting combined with the personal relationships involved in business development, so the role is a great combination.
He plans to leverage off relationships established in his insurance career so far and establish new ones.
James appreciates cyber insurance can be seen as an optional cover, particularly in tough economic times, but aims to educate brokers and their clients about the risks of not being covered.
“Few would think property cover was optional, but a cyber attack can be more devastating for a business than their premises burning down,” he said.
Emergence founder and MD Troy Filipcevic says James’s appointment signals Emergence’s continued investment in appointing cyber-focused people to help brokers provide adequate cover for clients.
The Perth office brings Emergence’s national footprint to five offices, with Perth complementing the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Newcastle offices.
“Emergence has listened to WA brokers. Having expertise on the ground is the best way to support our WA broker partners and enable Emergence to be the leading cyber insurer in Australia with innovative, market-leading solutions for brokers and their clients,” Troy said.
The new office is at level 6, 5 Mill St, Perth.
Emergence’s strength is broker education, including a regular webinar series that often attracts more than 1,000 brokers; social media and web posts; and face-to-face meetings with brokers and their clients to explain cyber risks.
Emergence is a pioneer of cyber cover in Australia and provides protection for SMEs through to ASX-listed entities.
Emergence won the 2019 Insurance Business magazine Underwriting Agency of the Year and is a finalist in the same category at the ANZIIF-Asia Insurance Review awards, which will be announced in August.
You can obtain Emergence cyber quotations for clients by accessing the broker portal.