Insurance carriers and specialist law firms across Australia and New Zealand have outlined their first senior appointments and promotions for 2026, with changes spanning distribution leadership, insurance litigation, and advisory practices in multiple cities.
Specialty and P&C re/insurer Canopius Group has named Tesh Patel (pictured) as head of distribution for Australia and New Zealand, effective Jan. 6. Patel, who will be based in Sydney, has more than 20 years’ experience in insurance leadership, portfolio management, and distribution roles across Australia, Asia, and the UK. He was most recently managing director of Delta Insurance Australia, where he established the local business, including opening offices in Sydney and Brisbane, developing products and working with broker networks and other partners. Earlier in his career, Patel held senior positions at Allianz and IAG, where he oversaw portfolios exceeding $1 billion and was responsible for performance and growth initiatives.
In his new role at Canopius, Patel will be responsible for the distribution strategy in Australia and New Zealand, working with brokers and other intermediaries on market access and placement across the group’s specialty and P&C lines. He will report to Paul Hackett, head of distribution and marine, APAC & MENA, and Andrew Ziolkowski, country head of Australia & Pacific and head of insurance, APAC. Commenting on the appointment, Ziolkowski said: “Tesh’s proven ability to build businesses and deliver strategic growth makes him an outstanding addition to our leadership team. His deep understanding of the ANZ market and commitment to innovation will be instrumental in enhancing our distribution capabilities and supporting our growth ambitions in the region. We are delighted to welcome Tesh to Canopius.”
Insurance and risk-focused law firm Wotton Kearney has announced 54 promotions across its Asia-Pacific offices, effective Jan. 1. The promotions span partner, special counsel, senior associate, associate, and operational positions. Three lawyers have joined the partnership:
The latest round also includes 10 special counsel across Australia and New Zealand in professional and financial risks, general liability, workplace and safety, health and commercial litigation, and 10 new senior associates across general liability, cyber, commercial litigation, professional, and financial risks and pro bono.
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A further 25 lawyers have been promoted to associate in health, general liability, professional and financial risks, workplace and safety, commercial litigation and property, energy, and infrastructure practices across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. In business operations, the firm has promoted Carly Torrecampo, Kim Saunders, Lyndall Terry, Mikaela Hoogenkamp, and Sarah Ford to practice operations manager, and appointed Mahesh Belagali as head of information security.
National firm Moray & Agnew has confirmed 13 senior promotions effective Jan. 1. The round comprises four new partners, two special counsel, and seven senior associates across commercial litigation, health, property, workers compensation, liability, and recoveries. The new partners are:
Two lawyers have been promoted to special counsel:
Seven lawyers have moved into senior associate roles across the Australian government, property, workers compensation, liability, and recoveries practices in Canberra and Melbourne. National managing partner Ian Denham said: “We are delighted to be able to promote this many of our legal team spanning multiple practice areas and locations. Their well-deserved promotions reflect the work they have undertaken for our clients and their ongoing contribution to the success of our firm.”
Insurance sector law firm Gilchrist Connell has combined lateral appointments with internal promotions as it builds out its national practice. The firm has appointed three new special counsel:
“These appointments mark an important milestone in our growth strategy. Each of these senior lawyers brings specialist expertise that enhances our ability to deliver exceptional outcomes for clients across Australia,” said CEO Belinda Cohen.
Gilchrist Connell has also added three senior associates – Melissa McCosker (Sydney), Darlene Carpenter (Perth), and Ashleigh Warren (Melbourne) – and four associates:
According to the firm, its headcount has increased by almost 20% since the start of the financial year, with growth across offices and practice groups.
In a separate announcement effective Jan. 1, Gilchrist Connell has reported additional promotions across Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. Six lawyers have been promoted to special counsel: Ashleigh Allen, Katrina Fitzgerald and Paris Kontibas (all Adelaide), Emma Malloy (Brisbane), Arthur Hambas (Melbourne), and Joshua Noney (Sydney), covering work in personal injury, workers compensation, health, administrative law, and employment.
The firm has promoted three lawyers to senior associate – Lauren Anastasiou (Adelaide), Zahra Amanyar (Perth), and Matthew Grey (Sydney) – and three to associate: Jack Gauvin (Adelaide), Matisse Henderson (Melbourne), and Minnie Bhowmick (Perth). In its business services team, Gilchrist Connell has promoted Jessica Lloyd to people coordinator and Hayley Cavanagh to legal secretary. “We’re thrilled to recognise colleagues who consistently deliver for our clients and teams. Their promotions reflect deep technical skill, practical judgment, and the way they live our values every day. Congratulations to each of you – we’re excited to see what you do next,” the firm said.
McCabes Lawyers has announced a promotions round effective January 2026 across its Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth offices, covering special counsel, senior associate, and associate levels. In Sydney, the firm has promoted Howard Mullen to special counsel and Anoj Joseph to senior associate. Both work on insurance and related disputes, with responsibilities spanning client advisory matters and team oversight.
In Brisbane, Sarah Hagos and Minji Kim have been promoted to associate. In Melbourne, Kathleen Syros has also been promoted to associate. Syros is a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards 2026 in the Insurance and Health, Medical, and Personal Injury categories, with winners scheduled to be announced in March. In Perth, McCabes has promoted Serena Martin and Peter Rutherford to associate, supporting its litigation and advisory work in that office. Managing principal Andrew Lacey said: “We believe our people are our greatest asset. These promotions represent the culmination of years of dedication, skill, and passion. We are proud of the remarkable achievements of each promotion, and I am excited to see how they will continue to thrive in their new roles.”
