Paul Smeaton
Paul is also a Director of Vero Liability, AA Insurance and the Insurance Council of New Zealand.
Paul has over 30 years financial services experience having worked in banking, funds management, stock broking, life and superannuation and general insurance.
After working in the UK for seven years, Paul joined Suncorp in 1994. During his time with Suncorp he has held several senior positions within Information Technology, Corporate Projects, Human Resources, Procurement, Facilities and General Insurance.
In 2006 Paul was appointed General Manager Property Claims and, as a result of the Promina acquisition, he took on the role of Executive General Manager - Commercial Claims. In November 2008 he was appointed to the board of RACT Insurance and then in November 2010 Paul took on the role of Executive General Manager - Statutory Claims, Commercial Insurance. In September 2015 Paul was appointed as Chief Executive at Vero in New Zealand.
Adam Heath
His team is focused on creating value for our customers and valued business partners by making it easier to do business with Suncorp NZ and by delivering excellence in portfolio and product management.
Adam brings considerable experience to Suncorp NZ from a strong background in banking, telecommunications, life insurance and general insurance. Adam holds a Masters of Commerce degree (First Class Honours) from the University of Auckland.
Adam’s interests include spending time with his family, fishing, skiing and enjoying New Zealand’s great outdoors.
Cris Knell
With a focus on our customers and intermediated partners, the distribution function will ensure our products and services protect the financial wellbeing of New Zealanders.
Prior to Suncorp, Cris held a number of senior executive positions during his 25 years at AIG, working in Asia, Europe, the UK and Australasia. As CEO of AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited, Cris steered that business through the financial markets collapse and the Christchurch earthquake recovery.
European and Asian financial risks insurance business, restructuring AIG’s Asian general insurance business post the financial crisis, and negotiating AIG’s first commercial sponsorship of the All Blacks.
Cris is actively engaged in the insurance industry, having served as a board member and Vice President of the Insurance Council of New Zealand.
Jimmy Higgins
With 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry, Jimmy joined Vero in March 2012 and led Vero's integrated claims operations, which included responsibility for our earthquake response programme and resolving the remaining earthquake claims.
Jimmy 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 Claims in Suncorp Insurance.
After the transformation of brands within the personal insurance business, Jimmy was appointed to the role of Executive Manager, General Insurance Fraud & Investigation and was responsible for claims fraud management, quality assurance and process governance for personal insurance claims. He was also instrumental in the Group’s response to the natural disasters in Queensland as Executive Manager, Queensland Event Recovery.
Tim Buckett
He has 22 years’ experience in financial services working in strategy, marketing, product management and finance.
Tim has previously worked with Unilever, British Rail, Citibank, Westpac, and St George. Tim has a degree in Commerce, is a CPA, holds an MBA, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Tim has 3 daughters. In his younger days, Tim was an active sportsmen playing cricket at a competitive level, but now enjoys a more leisurely game of golf. Other interests include spending time with his young family, music and indulging in great food and wine.
Nigel Edmiston
Nigel joined Vero Insurance 24 years ago and was appointed to the executive team in 2006. Prior to taking up the Chief Risk Officer role in 2011, he was Executive General Manager for New Ventures, responsible for merger and acquisition activity and specialist business unit Autosure and previously owned Comprehensive Travel Insurance.
Previous key roles include more than three years in the UK as Underwriting and Pricing Director, Royal & Sun Alliance’s Healthcare and Assistance business. He is also the former General Manager of Fusion, RSA New Zealand’s workplace accident business.
Nigel is also the Chief Risk Officer for Vero Liability.
Terry Gaze
Terry joined Suncorp in 2004 and has held a number of executive roles in New Zealand and Australia within IT Services, and within General and Life insurance businesses. Technology delivery, talent development, and alignment to business strategy has been the focus of these leadership roles.
Prior to joining Suncorp Terry led teams across technology, retail, manufacturing, energy, pharmaceutical, and health industries.
Campbell Mitchell
Campbell has a wealth of experience in customer insights, digital marketing and brand strategy, retention and managing a mix of direct and intermediated customers.
Prior to joining Suncorp, Campbell was the Chief Marketing Office at Fairfax Media where he was responsible for all business to consumer revenue and strategy. His remit also included New Ventures including startups and creating and growing an events business.
New to the insurance industry Campbell has held senior roles in marketing, sales and digital on both sides of the Tasman and started his career as a journalist in New Zealand.
Helen McNeil
Helen has over 10 years’ experience in the insurance industry and spent 15 years acting as a litigation solicitor in both Australia and New Zealand. Most recently Helen has been EM Insurance Legal supporting Suncorp NZ across a wide range of legal issues. Career highlights include taking the lead on legal matters relating to our Earthquake Recovery Programme and she was a key contributor to shaping the insurance industry’s response to the review of the EQC Act.
In her spare time Helen loves spending time with her husband and young son and enjoys fishing, good food, wine and whiskey.
Kate Dron
She has more than 25 years’ experience in financial services working in actuarial, product management, strategy, risk and reinsurance.
Kate has previously worked with a number of financial services companies in both NZ and the UK. Kate has a degree in Mathematics, is a Fellow of the New Zealand Society of Actuaries, and is a member of the Institute of Directors.
Kate has two sons who like to keep her fit and active. Apart from spending time with her young family, her other interests include running, reading and indulging in great food and wine.