Announcing new leadership for Achmea Australia
Announcement posted by Achmea Australia 18 Apr 2017
Achmea Australia is poised to welcome a new CEO, following the news that current CEO Timo van Voorden is returning to the Netherlands – the birthplace of Achmea – after five successful years spent launching and running the company here in Australia.
Timo has been instrumental in setting up the Australian division, working tirelessly to carve a niche for the organisation in mutual-based insurance and risk management for the farming community.
Of his time in Australia Timo says he is most proud of what the company has achieved, particularly over the last three and a half years with the delivery of innovative, tailored and cost effective insurance for Australian agriculture businesses.
“Embedded within local regional communities, our nation-wide network of Risk Specialists have been able to ensure Australian agricultural businesses benefit from our co-operative insurance approach.
“They are there to provide immediate support in times of need and it is these relationships that have seen Achmea Australia achieve a 99% client retention rate and a client net promoter score four times the industry average,” Timo said.
“I would like to thank Division International and the Executive Board of the Achmea Group for sending me to Australia five years ago. It has been an absolute dream job to build Achmea Australia from the ground up, and to recruit such a great group of people to do it with me,” Timo added.
The Achmea Australia team wish Timo every success in the next stage of his career and is pleased to announce Emma Thomas as Timo’s successor.
Emma comes to Achmea Australia from FMG Insurance, a large farm insurer in New Zealand, where she’s already demonstrated herself to be a proven senior leader, gaining extensive experience in the agricultural and financial services industry. She has been a central figure in driving the overall growth, client satisfaction and market share strategies for FMG, which is New Zealand’s leading rural insurer.
Over the last 10 years Emma has held roles at FMG including National Sales Manager, Head of Sales, Service and Operations, Head of Advice and Sales and Financial Controller. Prior to joining FMG, Emma’s experience includes Executive financial management leadership of a New Zealand IT solutions company, and Audit roles with Deloitte in New Zealand, Australia and the United States.
Emma has a strong affinity with agribusiness through her family and financial services background. She is committed to continuous development of her leadership and governance skills, and cultivating valuable networks within the primary industries sector.
Reflecting on her new role with Achmea Australia, Emma spoke of her keenness to build on the achievements already made by Timo and the company over the past five years in Australia.
“I’m excited to join the Achmea Australia team and bring my rural insurance experience to the position of CEO. Having seen first-hand the devastating impacts – both commercially and personally – of natural disasters and storm events on the farming community, the mutual ethos has a very important role in the Australian insurance industry. I look forward to building on the proud history Achmea has in supporting rural businesses and putting clients first,” says Emma.
Meanwhile, outgoing CEO Timo is in no doubt that the company will remain in the most capable of hands with Emma and her team.
“I am confident Emma will make a significant contribution to Achmea Australia and our clients, and as a senior female industry leader has the potential to influence Australia’s agriculture agenda,” he said.
“I wish Emma all the very best of luck in her new role as CEO, and I know she has a fantastic team to support her and to continue the accelerated growth of Achmea in Australia.”
Emma joins the company later this month, and Achmea Australia look forward to welcoming her to the family.
About Achmea Australia
Achmea Australia is a dedicated agricultural insurance company committed to reducing risks and premiums to its Australian customers. It works with its clients to prevent and manage risks across five categories: buildings; inventory; business interruption; vehicles and liability. It’s All-in-One Farm Pack allows customers to tailor their cover to their precise needs. Achmea Australia has an exclusive distribution philosophy. It believes in its collaboration and association with Rabobank which has a strong presence in rural Australia. By employing their own local Risk Specialists it is adding value to its clients with a personalised and tailored service as well as keeping costs down. Achmea Australia enjoys the financial strength of its parent company Achmea, based in the Netherlands. For more information visit www.achmea.com.au.
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Photo Caption – Outgoing Achmea Australia CEO, Timo van Voorden
Photo Caption – Incoming Achmea Australia CEO, Emma Thomas
Media Contact:
Adam Arndell
C7EVEN Communications
T: 02 6766 4513 / 0403 372 889
E: adam.arndell@c7even.com.au
Timo has been instrumental in setting up the Australian division, working tirelessly to carve a niche for the organisation in mutual-based insurance and risk management for the farming community.
Of his time in Australia Timo says he is most proud of what the company has achieved, particularly over the last three and a half years with the delivery of innovative, tailored and cost effective insurance for Australian agriculture businesses.
“Embedded within local regional communities, our nation-wide network of Risk Specialists have been able to ensure Australian agricultural businesses benefit from our co-operative insurance approach.
“They are there to provide immediate support in times of need and it is these relationships that have seen Achmea Australia achieve a 99% client retention rate and a client net promoter score four times the industry average,” Timo said.
“I would like to thank Division International and the Executive Board of the Achmea Group for sending me to Australia five years ago. It has been an absolute dream job to build Achmea Australia from the ground up, and to recruit such a great group of people to do it with me,” Timo added.
The Achmea Australia team wish Timo every success in the next stage of his career and is pleased to announce Emma Thomas as Timo’s successor.
Emma comes to Achmea Australia from FMG Insurance, a large farm insurer in New Zealand, where she’s already demonstrated herself to be a proven senior leader, gaining extensive experience in the agricultural and financial services industry. She has been a central figure in driving the overall growth, client satisfaction and market share strategies for FMG, which is New Zealand’s leading rural insurer.
Over the last 10 years Emma has held roles at FMG including National Sales Manager, Head of Sales, Service and Operations, Head of Advice and Sales and Financial Controller. Prior to joining FMG, Emma’s experience includes Executive financial management leadership of a New Zealand IT solutions company, and Audit roles with Deloitte in New Zealand, Australia and the United States.
Emma has a strong affinity with agribusiness through her family and financial services background. She is committed to continuous development of her leadership and governance skills, and cultivating valuable networks within the primary industries sector.
Reflecting on her new role with Achmea Australia, Emma spoke of her keenness to build on the achievements already made by Timo and the company over the past five years in Australia.
“I’m excited to join the Achmea Australia team and bring my rural insurance experience to the position of CEO. Having seen first-hand the devastating impacts – both commercially and personally – of natural disasters and storm events on the farming community, the mutual ethos has a very important role in the Australian insurance industry. I look forward to building on the proud history Achmea has in supporting rural businesses and putting clients first,” says Emma.
Meanwhile, outgoing CEO Timo is in no doubt that the company will remain in the most capable of hands with Emma and her team.
“I am confident Emma will make a significant contribution to Achmea Australia and our clients, and as a senior female industry leader has the potential to influence Australia’s agriculture agenda,” he said.
“I wish Emma all the very best of luck in her new role as CEO, and I know she has a fantastic team to support her and to continue the accelerated growth of Achmea in Australia.”
Emma joins the company later this month, and Achmea Australia look forward to welcoming her to the family.
About Achmea Australia
Achmea Australia is a dedicated agricultural insurance company committed to reducing risks and premiums to its Australian customers. It works with its clients to prevent and manage risks across five categories: buildings; inventory; business interruption; vehicles and liability. It’s All-in-One Farm Pack allows customers to tailor their cover to their precise needs. Achmea Australia has an exclusive distribution philosophy. It believes in its collaboration and association with Rabobank which has a strong presence in rural Australia. By employing their own local Risk Specialists it is adding value to its clients with a personalised and tailored service as well as keeping costs down. Achmea Australia enjoys the financial strength of its parent company Achmea, based in the Netherlands. For more information visit www.achmea.com.au.
- END-
Photo Caption – Outgoing Achmea Australia CEO, Timo van Voorden
Photo Caption – Incoming Achmea Australia CEO, Emma Thomas
Media Contact:
Adam Arndell
C7EVEN Communications
T: 02 6766 4513 / 0403 372 889
E: adam.arndell@c7even.com.au