Start a career with Blue Zebra Insurance

Colin Fagen is the Managing Director and co-founder of Blue Zebra Insurance, an Insurtech Underwriting Agency that services the Australian Intermediary market. Blue Zebra has created its own market leading proprietary system, Blue Leopard, built with the team’s extensive industry experience and Broker relationships. Blue Zebra provides a wide Personal and Commercial Lines product range and licences Blue Leopard to other Agencies and market participants.

Colin has over 33 years Insurance experience and has held global c-suite roles at QBE Insurance including Group Chief Operations Officer, Group Chief Strategy Officer and CEO of QBE Australia & New Zealand. He has been President of the Insurance Council of Australia and a Director of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance. Colin currently sits on the Underwriting Agencies Council in Australia.

Matt is Chief Operating Officer of Blue Zebra and is a qualified actuary. Matt has been a key figure in setting up, launching and scaling BZI. Before joining BZI, Matt’s prior role was COO of Berkshire Hathaway Insurance Australia (subsequently re-named IAL in 2017). Prior to this Matt worked as Chief Risk Officer helping to establish the insurance business and license for Berkshire Hathaway in Australia and New Zealand. Matt also spent more than 10 years with EY in London and Sydney. Matt's experience at EY included strategic insurance consulting across Europe and Asia, application of analytics techniques to support decision making, risk management leadership and statutory actuarial roles.

Matt is excited to leverage leading technology to make it easy for brokers to place advice-led business and grow their customer base. On a day-to-day basis, Matt enjoys driving the operational efficiencies that mean BZI can readily compete with the major insurers in Australia.

Prior to Blue Zebra, he was Group Head of SME and Customer Retention for QBE, accountable for the development and execution of a global SME strategy. Mark has held a variety of local and regional roles, including 7 years based in Hong Kong, and his expertise includes multi-class underwriting, product development, portfolio management, senior account management, strategic sales and distribution, and operational excellence.

Mark's ambition for Blue Zebra is to redefine how SME insurance solutions are delivered via brokers, with easy to understand product modules, a consistent and sustainable underwriting approach, and a service response that exceeds the expectations of both brokers and their clients.

Stephen is the Chief Underwriting Officer (Personal Lines) of Blue Zebra and has been with the business since its inception. He has worked in the insurance industry for over 25 years, and prior to Blue Zebra led the IAL business (within IAG), a start-up insurer which was originally established by Berkshire Hathaway to support intermediated distribution channels. Prior to that Stephen worked for Suncorp in Australia and IAG in New Zealand across roles spanning portfolio management, pricing, underwriting, product and claims operations. Stephen is a Fellow of the Actuaries Institute (Australia).

Stephen sees a huge opportunity to utilise the latest technology, data and analytical tools to drive a more streamlined underwriting process with outcomes that better match the underlying risk.

Amar has close to 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, including senior positions across strategy, distribution, product, marketing and technology. Having joined in 2018, Amar overseas BZI's technology and IT teams locally and abroad.

Amar has leveraged his extensive cross-functional insurance experience to build a high performing technology team with an unwavering focus on delivery and innovation. Most recently this has informed the design and development of our second generation PAS - Blue Leopard 2.0 - a cloud-native insurance system that seamlessly blends intelligence and modularity to revolutionise insurance operations.

Amar is passionate about digital disruption in the insurance industry, and the opportunities this affords Blue Zebra over its competitors.

Prior to BZI, Amar helped QBE in the design and implementation of their Australian operation's SME strategy.

Jason is the Chief Information Officer of Blue Zebra with 30+ years of insurance technology experience in both Australian and international markets.

Prior to joining Blue Zebra, as CIO for Manulife’s IT Delivery Centers Jason led the build and operation of Manulife’s captive global fintech capabilities in the Philippines, China and Vietnam. Digitally transforming the end-to-end customer experience across 10 markets in Asia. In Australia, Jason worked for QBE Insurance in Senior Architecture & IT Strategy roles with the successful realization of QBE’s Broker Connect, Underwriting and Claims transformations.

Jason has keenly observed how Blue Zebra has disrupted the Australian insurance market with their unique agility of approach underpinned by technology and strong industry experience. He is excited to join the team and bring his own experience to bear.

James is Head of Distribution at Blue Zebra. He is a highly respected financial services executive with over 35 years’ experience across Underwriting, Distribution and Broking roles with a proven track record in developing and leading high performance teams, managing through change and achieving profitable growth.

James is passionate about Intermediary business and the advice model, with an absolute focus on building relationships to form long term sustainable partnerships, aligning to the Blue Zebra intermediated market only model.

James can be contacted at james.mccauley@bzi.com.au

Richard has over 28 years of commercial insurance experience in both the London and Australian markets.

During that time his roles have included Founder and Director of specialist cyber insurance provider, Edmund; Chief Executive of commercial insurance broking business, Blue Broking; and Chief Operating Officer of insSync Group, which was the parent company of SRS Underwriting Agency, at one stage the largest Lloyd's Underwriting Agency in Australia.

Ingrid is a Regional Manager at Blue Zebra, based in New South Wales. Ingrid has over 20 years experience working for a number of top tier insurers developing & delivering solutions for brokers. Ingrid’s most recent role prior to Blue Zebra was at CGU Insurance as National Account Manager, developing the strategic Aon relationship through data led insights & analytics. Ingrid has strong working relationships with all broker network groups and a broad underwriting experience across personal and commercial insurance, as well as a working knowledge and market awareness of all local product delivery platforms.

With strong technical and relationship management skills, Ingrid is well suited and motivated to identify and develop joint strategic growth opportunities with Blue Zebra’s broker partners. This includes providing front line training and support in order to maximise the efficiencies of online adoption, creating mutual profitable growth opportunities, and collecting the outside in feedback required to develop and deliver market leading customer centric solutions.

Ingrid can be contacted at ingrid.ibbotson@bzi.com.au

James is a Regional Manager at Blue Zebra, with 35 years of experience working in the insurance industry, always focused on the Intermediary market. Previously, James held the position of State Manager at CGU and Regional Manager at QBE. James brings deep industry experience and understanding of the market dynamics.

James is passionate about Intermediary business and the advice model. Together with the team at Blue Zebra James is committed to providing best in class services to brokers using technology and product innovation.

James can be contacted at james.frankenfeld@bzi.com.au

Julie has over 30 years industry experience working in all facets of the business from claims, underwriting , distribution, and broking.

Having worked for multiple large insurers and underwriting agencies she has a broad knowledge of systems, processes and procedures as well as the establishment of long term relationships on a national level.

Her main focus is to ensure transacting business with Blue Zebra is as seamless and beneficial for our broking partners as possible.

Julie can be contacted at julie.hilder@bzi.com.au

Tim is a Regional Manager at Blue Zebra, based in Queensland. With more than 22 years’ experience working in the Australian intermediated insurance market, Tim moved from London to Brisbane in 2001, where he spent 5 years managing the claims team at Booker International. Tim spent the next 10 years with SRS Underwriting, focusing on group income protection (underwriting) and corporate travel before joining Epsilon Underwriting to establish its A&H division in 2017.

Tim joined BZI in Feb 2022 and is excited to be back supporting Queensland brokers whilst promoting and actively distributing Blue Zebra’s constantly evolving products via the Zebra Lounge and various 'platforms of choice' for brokers expecting to transact business in a digitally efficient manner.

Tim can be contacted at tim.curling@bzi.com.au

Lisa is a Regional Manager at Blue Zebra, based in Queensland. She is a well-known and highly experienced insurance professional and brings to her role a strong network built upon her career in sales, marketing, distribution, and relationship management across broking and underwriting.  

Lisa’s passion is relationship management, and she strongly believes in the importance of the intermediated market and the broker advice model.  

Lisa can be contacted at Lisa.Hetherington@bzi.com.au

Travis is a Regional Manager at Blue Zebra, based in Victoria. With 12 years of industry experience across Business Development, Underwriting and Broking, Travis adds a wealth of experience in SME and Schemes to our team. He joined the insurance industry via QBE where he worked his way from Builder’s Warranty to Scheme/SME Underwriting, before moving into roles in Business Development which saw him service all cluster groups. Travis then moved to Zurich in a similar role before moving into Broking, managing Schemes and Facilities for Adroit Insurance & Risk.

Having experienced both sides of the industry, Travis aims to use his experience to bring an exceptional experience and service to brokers and their clients when dealing with Blue Zebra. Travis is extremely excited to work with his brokers and showcasing how Blue Zebra’s market leading offering can help make it easier for brokers to win and grow their business.

Travis can be contacted at travis.noffke@bzi.com.au

With over 30 years experience in the insurance sector, Stuart brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team at Blue Zebra Insurance. As a former National Account Manager at CGU, Stuart honed skills in underwriting, relationship management, and administration across a number of the major insurers during his career. Stuart has a proven track record of delivering exceptional results and building strong, lasting relationships with the broker market and looks forward to enhancing Blue Zebra's profile amongst the New South Wales and Canberra brokers.

Stuart can be contacted at stuart.ryder@bzi.com.au

Sonia brings over 30 years of industry expertise, primarily in broking, with a significant portion spent at MGA Insurance Brokers, where she began as a portfolio manager and broker, later transitioning into the operations team focusing on training, operations, product development, placement and broker support to branches nationally. Prior to her joining the dedicated team at Blue Zebra as Regional Manager SA in 2023, she served 7 years as Business Management Executive at International Broker, Marsh overseeing a National AR relationship with Nutrien Ag Solutions and co-ordinating all aspects of capabilities to enable AR's to run their portfolios efficiently. Sonia is passionate about the advice model and together with the team at Blue Zebra is committed to providing best in service to brokers using technology and product innovation all with a compassionate approach.

Sonia can be contacted at sonia.matthews@bzi.com.au

Rob has been working in the insurance industry for well over 25 years where he has spent the majority of this time working with the intermediary market sector. Having worked for several major insurers including Vero and Allianz and most recently holding the position of Relationship & Development Manager at GT Insurance after moving into the underwriting agency space. As well as his extensive industry experience and understanding of the intermediated market, Rob brings a passion for customer service and delivering solutions for our broker partners. Together with the team at Blue Zebra, utilising technology and product innovation Rob as our Regional Manager for Victoria and Tasmania is excited to be working with our brokers to assist them with their ever-changing client needs.

Rob can be contacted at rob.simpson@bzi.com.au

Anita is a Regional Manager at Blue Zebra, based in Western Australia. A highly accomplished insurance professional with over 15 years’ experience, including roles with an international broker and a major insurer, Anita has demonstrated expertise in business strategy and development, leadership, risk and governance and fostering intermediated relationships. She is also known for a solutions-focused mindset, adept at crafting tailored insurance solutions to meet client needs and mitigating risk effectively.

Anita is passionate about driving growth through strategic partnerships and delivering exceptional customer service and is experienced in navigating complex insurance landscapes while maintaining a keen focus on industry trends and regulatory changes.

Anita can be contacted at anita.rankine@bzi.com.au

Ryan is a member of the pricing and underwriting team at Blue Zebra and is a member of the Institute of Actuaries of Australia. Ryan holds a BA in Actuarial Studies and Statistics from UNSW. He specializes in application of analytics and statistical learning to create smart automation of core insurance processes. Ryan believes that greater efficiencies allow people to focus on meaningful interactions and to place the customer first.

Ryan is inspired by the opportunity to create a new business model by having technology at the heart of insurance operations. He believes in a smooth and friendly experience through the whole life cycle of insurance from underwriting to pricing through to claims. This is all an integral part of supporting the broker advice business.

Ruth is the Underwriting Operations Manager and brings almost 20 years experience in the industry.

Ruth’s experience has been working at General insurers (Zurich, CGU), Jardine Lloyd Thompson and Insurtech (BizCover). Her roles have revolved in managing operations, commercial and specialty line underwriting teams, learning and development, and change management.

Ruth’s expertise is around challenging traditional underwriting in terms of process improvements and innovative thinking. Her aspiration is to help shape emerging talent by educating and coaching others.

Danny brings over 10 years of experience in the insurance and reinsurance industry. Most recently he has been underwriting risks and analysing data on SME and commercial lines of insurance from a terrorism risk perspective with the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation (ARPC) and has previously been in a number of roles within personal lines at IAL.

Danny’s expertise centres around accurate, efficient underwriting and the use of data insights to effectively implement change and improve processes and systems. He is passionate about utilising this expertise to innovate within the intermediated market and continuously improve the services offered to brokers through Blue Zebra.