Southern Cross Travel Insurance has appointed Anita Samu as chief underwriting officer and Greg Sparling to the role of chief legal and risk officer to support its New Zealand and Australian operations.
Recognising the challenges faced by the travel industry in recent years, Southern Cross Travel Insurance CEO Jo McCauley said the appointments were indicative of a sector shift toward stability and growth.
Samu returns to the Southern Cross brand family in the newly established role of chief underwriting officer, bringing her extensive leadership experience from previous roles at IAG New Zealand, Bank of New Zealand, and Southern Cross Health Society. With nearly 20 years working in the insurance and banking sectors, she has held positions in actuarial, finance, product, pricing, and analytics.
“I’m passionate about bringing the worlds of finance, data, and analytics into an organisation’s planning and decision-making process. To be able to return to Southern Cross and share this passion is very exciting,” said Samu.
Experienced corporate and financial services lawyer, and governance and risk professional, Sparling joins Southern Cross Travel Insurance as chief legal and risk officer. This move follows senior leadership roles at Resolution Life (Australia and New Zealand), Cigna Life Insurance New Zealand, and ANZ Bank New Zealand. As well as corporate roles, Sparling also has experience within private law practices and the public sector in both New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
“It’s a privilege to be joining one of New Zealand’s most trusted travel insurers, especially at a time of regeneration for the travel industry,” said Sparling.
McCauley said: “We’re privileged to welcome Anita and Greg and the wealth of experience they bring to the Southern Cross whānau. Travel is now back in full force and these two appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to investing in capability, to continue to support our customers on their travels.”
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