Gilchrist Connell, nib, and Kennedys have announced leadership changes affecting their Australian and Asia-Pacific operations, with implications for financial lines, health and wellbeing initiatives, and insurance disputes across the region.
Gilchrist Connell has appointed David Chew (pictured) as a principal in its Melbourne office. The firm said the appointment is intended to expand its financial lines and complex claims work in Australia. Chew has more than 25 years’ experience acting for insurers, insureds, and corporate policyholders on financial lines risks and disputes, as well as construction and property-related claims involving large losses and high exposures. His work includes multi-party disputes and class actions, along with advisory roles on coverage and liability issues. He also advises on policy interpretation, coverage questions, claims strategies, and loss assessment. In addition, he works with insurers on product development and regulatory matters and assists corporate clients on insurance and risk frameworks.
Chief executive officer Belinda Cohen said Chew’s appointment is consistent with the firm’s plans for its Victorian practice. “David’s depth of expertise in financial lines and complex insurance matters naturally augments our Melbourne offering. He brings a highly practical, client-focused approach that aligns closely with how we support insurers and their insureds. We are thrilled that David has chosen to join Gilchrist Connell and are excited about the value he will bring to our clients,” Cohen said. Gilchrist Connell said the move is part of its plan to add senior practitioners in response to client demand in the Australian insurance market.
Health insurer nib has created a chief health and wellbeing officer role and appointed Australia women’s national football team and Manchester City player Mary Fowler to the position. The role combines internal leadership responsibilities with ambassador duties focused on health promotion across Australia and New Zealand. The appointment extends nib’s range of women’s sports sponsorships, which includes the Newcastle Jets A-League Women’s team, Newcastle Knights NRLW, Richmond AFLW, and the Auckland Blues in New Zealand. Fowler’s role also sits alongside nib’s work with the Minerva Network, which focuses on mentoring and leadership development for elite female athletes. She joins existing nib ambassador Paul “The Chief” Harragon.
As chief health and wellbeing officer, Fowler will work with nib on programs and campaigns designed to encourage Australians to prioritise their physical and mental health and on initiatives related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The insurer said the partnership is part of its effort to connect its health cover with members’ longer-term health. “Being healthy and looking after my body is my top priority; it’s how I perform, recover, and stay grounded. I’m incredibly proud to represent women in sport, and to work with nib to inspire people to take care of their health and to feel confident in who they are. I’m excited to help encourage Australians move more, dream big, and back themselves,” Fowler said.
nib Group CEO and managing director Ed Close said Fowler’s position in women’s football supports the group’s health and engagement activities. “Mary is a true champion. She is someone who has achieved incredible success in her chosen field on a global stage. She typifies the energy and diversity of modern Australia, and we’re proud to have her join nib. Her values align strongly with ours; she’s authentic, inspiring, and deeply committed to her health and wellbeing. Mary’s broad appeal and positive influence make her an ideal partner in helping us motivate and support our customers and the communities in which we operate,” Close said. He also referred to the growth of women’s football globally, adding: “Mary is at the heart of this momentum, and we’re incredibly proud to partner with her.”
Global litigation and dispute resolution firm Kennedys has announced two senior appointments affecting its Asia-Pacific and Australian businesses. The changes relate to the firm’s regional management of insurance disputes and coverage work. Sydney-based partner James Melvin has been named regional managing partner for Asia-Pacific, effective March 1. Melbourne-based partner Nicole Wearne has been elected Australian managing partner, effective Feb. 18. The pair will continue to co-lead Kennedys’ Australian financial lines practice while maintaining their individual matters. Melvin joined Kennedys’ Australian business in 2015 after 12 years in the London insurance market and has been managing partner of the Sydney office. His practice focuses on defence and coverage advice across financial lines, directors and officers, management liability, regulatory investigations, and professional indemnity for clients in multiple sectors.
Melvin succeeds Matt Andrews, who is stepping down from the APAC regional managing partner role after three years. Andrews will continue on the firm’s global executive group and devote additional time to his disputes practice, which includes multi-jurisdictional litigation arising from the collapse of Greensill Capital. “I am proud of the growth we’ve achieved together in APAC, and I am very excited for the future I know James will create. I pass this role on with absolute confidence that the best is yet to come,” Andrews said. Melvin said he plans to focus on responding to client demand and on regional coordination. “It’s a privilege to take on this role at such an exciting time for Kennedys in APAC. We have strong teams and great ambition across the region, and I’m looking forward to working with colleagues to build on our success, support our clients, and deliver on the firm’s goals,” he said.
Read next: Insurance moves: IAG, Bupa, Wotton Kearney
Wearne, who joined Kennedys as a partner in Melbourne in June 2024 and serves on the firm’s global governance group, has more than 30 years’ experience in financial lines disputes. Her work includes coverage advice and defence of complex financial lines litigation, professional indemnity matters, regulatory disputes, and class actions. “I am genuinely energised by the opportunity to lead the Australian firm at such an exciting time. Our partners and employees are dedicated and driven, and I look forward to working with James Melvin and our colleagues across the Australian offices to strengthen and grow our practice and continuing to offer outstanding services,” Wearne said. Jonathan Wyatt, who has served as Australian managing partner for three years, will step back from that role and return his focus to practice. Kennedys said revenue in the Asia-Pacific region has increased by about 50% over the past five years and that the firm recorded 13% revenue growth to $848 million in fiscal 2025, the same year it marked 25 years since opening its first Asia-Pacific office in Hong Kong.
