The names and faces behind Vero New Zealand...
Vero’s Executive team is responsible for the strategic direction and operational delivery of the Vero group of businesses in New Zealand. The team is located in the Vero Centre, at 48 Shortland Street - the heart of Auckland’s Central Business District.

• Gary DransfieldChief Executive, Vero New Zealand

Recently appointed to the position of Chief Executive for Vero New Zealand, Gary is responsible for the strategy and operational delivery of general insurance operations in New Zealand. Gary joined Suncorp in August 2009 and held the position of Executive General Manager for Personal Insurance Retail Distribution. Prior to this he worked for 25 years in the retail financial services industry holding positions in operations, strategy and marketing at companies such as St George Bank, AMP and IAG. Gary has had a number of successes during his career including playing a key role in the successful conversion of St George from a building society to a bank, leading the IT team at IAG during the demutualization of NRMA, and building a highly engaged and high performing retail organisation within NRMA, SGIO and SGIC. Having recently moved to New Zealand, Gary is looking forward to visiting as much of NZ as possible, with his wife Sharon joining him once their youngest completes High School.

• Andrew AitkenExecutive General Manager, Vero Commercial & Personal

As General Manager of Vero Commercial & Personal, Andrew Aitken is responsible for leading the Vero Commercial & Personal business, including New Zealand Claims, Underwriting, the Vero Branch Network and Vero Commercial Motor. Andrew has been with the group for over 28 years, moving from Guardian Royal Exchange, where he was Manager of Marketing & Development, to Royal & SunAlliance in 1991. Having worked in Underwriting, Claims, Sales, Systems Development, Marketing and Operations Management at various stages of his career, Andrew has broad experience of the insurance industry. Andrew is a Fellow of the Australian & New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance and is a keen boatie and skier.

• Peter BrownChief Financial Officer

As Chief Financial Officer, Peter is responsible for the Finance and Administration areas within Vero. He is also a Director of Vero Liability. A member of the Royal & SunAlliance, now Vero, team since 1980, Peter has held a number of actuarial roles in both the general and life insurance areas. He has also been involved in product development and strategic planning. Peter has twice been seconded to the UK for actuarial roles and after returning to New Zealand in 1998 was initially involved in our entry into the privatised workplace accident insurance market as General Business Actuary. Prior to his appointment as Chief Financial Officer, Peter was Vero’s Chief Actuary. Peter is a Fellow of both the Institute of Actuaries and the New Zealand Society of Actuaries. He is also the immediate past President of the New Zealand Society of Actuaries.

• Andrew DiverChief Information Officer

Andrew Diver is responsible for Systems Development, Project and Programme Management. Andrew has enjoyed a career spanning more than twenty five years with Royal & SunAlliance, now Vero. His roles have included Group Programme Manager, Australasia; Group Programme Manager, New Zealand; eBusiness Manager; Manager, Sun Direct Insurance; Assistant Manager, Group Schemes and Assistant Manager, Organisation and Methods. Andrew is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Insurance Institute as well as a Fellow of the Institute of Direct Marketing (UK). He was the 1996 RSVP Winner at the DMA Awards (for Sun Direct) and in 1997 won the TVNZ/Marketing Magazine Retail Marketer of Year, also for Sun Direct. In 2007 Andrew was awarded CIO of the Year at the Computer Excellence Awards.

• Nigel EdmistonExecutive General Manager, New Ventures

Nigel works collaboratively with Vero subsidiaries and joint ventures but is the Vero New Zealand Executive specifically responsible for Autosure and the Comprehensive Travel joint venture. His other major responsibilities include developing major banking corporate relationships and preparing for the possibility of ACC being opened to competition should there be a change of government in late 2008. Nigel has been with the company for 15 years and has experience spanning several senior roles including General Manager of Fusion (Vero’s Accident Insurance business) and Underwriting & Pricing Director for Royal & Sun Alliance Healthcare & Assistance in the UK. Before taking up his current role, he was Manager of Strategic Projects for Vero New Zealand, where he developed acquisition opportunities and led the development of a new point of sale motor product for Vero's wholly owned subsidiary, Autosure. Nigel is the Chairman of the Insurance Council New Zealand standing Accident Insurance Committee. His main hobby is getting out on his launch for a day of fishing and relaxing.

• Adrian TullochExecutive General Manager, Vero Corporate & Speciality Lines

As Executive General Manager of Vero Corporate & Speciality Lines, Adrian Tulloch has overall responsibility for Vero Marine, Vero Accident & Health, Vero Construction & Engineering, Vero Corporate Property and Vero Specialist Risks. Adrian is also the Managing Director of Vero Liability Insurance Ltd since it was established as Royal & SunAlliance Liability Insurance, in August 2001. Prior to this, Adrian established the liability division of HIH in NZ when he joined the company in 1988. Adrian was also a Director of HIH in NZ from 1992 until 2001. In all, Adrian has had more than 27 years experience in liability insurance underwriting and management, and has been at the forefront of innovation in the sector. Adrian’s career highlight has been the successful launch and operation of Vero Liability which now has a staff of 45 and a top 3 market share.

• Jimmy HigginsExecutive General Manager - Earthquake Programme

Jimmy joined Vero in March 2012 and he has overall responsbility for our Earthquake Response Programme. He has held a number of roles in the Suncorp Group since joining the business in 2008.  Initially, he was responsible for managing major events for the Suncorp Insurance brand before taking up a role as the Executive Manager for claims in Suncorp Insurance. After the transformation of brands within the Personal Insurance business, Jimmy was appointed to the role of Executive Manager, GI Fraud & Investigation and was responsible for claims fraud management and quality assurance and process governance for personal insurance claims. He was also instrumental in the Group’s response to the natural disasters in Queensland last year as Executive Manager, Queensland Event Recovery. Born in Ireland, he moved to Australia when he was 15. He attended university in Brisbane where he gained an honours degree in Accounting from QUT and degree in Psychology from the University of Queensland. His interests include golf, camping and he enjoys playing the guitar.

• Ron BurkeHead of Communications

Ron joined Vero in February 2012. Prior to that he was actively involved in Suncorp Group Corporate affairs programmes in Australia for the past six years. At Vero, he leads the team that is responsible internal and external communications with key stakeholders including brokers, customers, media, government and the business community. As well as roles in Suncorp, Ron has had long experience heading corporate affairs and marketing functions for major companies in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States. His career has included time in areas as diverse as Washington, Beijing, Paris and Port Moresby with companies such as Exxon, Mobil, the National Australia Bank and AXA. He started his career as a finance journalist with the Melbourne Sun before starting in corporate affairs with Comalco in Melbourne. Ron earned an honours degree in politics and economics from the University of Melbourne and an MBA from Monash University. When he’s not at work Ron enjoys kayaking, golf, music and spending time with friends and family.