Our Executive Team

Chris Curtin

Chief Executive, AA Insurance

Chris is charged with managing the company’s growth, profitability and return on shareholders’ investments. Chris holds responsibility for AA Insurance’s reputation and for ensuring that all staff are focused on providing an outstanding customer experience.

Chris managed AA Insurance’s transition, in 2002, to a joint venture between the New Zealand Automobile Association Incorporated and Promina Direct Group, which became Suncorp when Promina merged with Suncorp Australia in 2007. He also oversaw the amalgamation of AA Insurance and SIS Insurance.

Chris is an Associate of the Australian Insurance Institute and holds a Graduate Diploma in Business (Administration) from the University of Auckland.

Simon Hobbs

GM Operations, AA Insurance

Simon is responsible for the sustainable and profitable growth of AA Insurance and leads the company’s drive to provide customers with superior insurance protection. He also manages all claims activity within AA Insurance.

Simon has over 20 years experience in the New Zealand insurance industry. He first joined AA Insurance in 1997 as part of the company’s graduate programme, starting in customer service before working in a variety of other roles within the company. In July 2004, he moved to Australia to work at AAMI, returning to AA Insurance in August 2005 as Innovation Manager. From there he moved into the role of Contact Centre Manager as part of the leadership team. From 2007 until June 2009, Simon led the organisations’ Pricing, Planning and Analysis function and in July 2009 moved into the role of Motor Product Manager. He moved into his current role in 2011.

Simon holds a Bachelor of Business Studies, majoring in International Business, from Massey University.

Justine Burn

GM Technology, Digital Capability, AA Insurance

Justine is responsible for technology, digital platform optimisation and capability, e-Commerce, championing key strategic initiatives across the organisation through transformation (including PMO and continuous improvements) and technical operations support.

Justine has been in the insurance industry since 2007, starting her career with AA Insurance as a Strategic Project Manager before moving into the role of Head of Canterbury Earthquake Response and Head of Distribution. Prior to working at AA Insurance, she worked for a number of top companies from all over the world including BBC Television and Daily Mail Group, providing project management and consulting expertise in areas focusing on organisational change and IT.

Justine holds a Masters of Organisational Change, an Executive Diploma in Digital Business, and a Bachelor of Business Studies from Massey University. She is also a certified project management professional through Project Management International and has been for many years.

Nikki Howell

GM People & Capability, AA Insurance

Nikki is responsible for managing people development, talent management, health and wellbeing, resourcing and recruitment within AA Insurance, ensuring that all employee relations are handled in a professional and timely manner. Accountabilities outside the typical HR domain include the Switchboard Team, responsible for first call resolution for inbound customers calling AA Insurance, and the working environment across multiple sites in Auckland and Hamilton.

Nikki has worked in the insurance industry for 16 years now and joined AA Insurance as Human Resources Manager in 2003. Since then, her role has grown and her responsibilities broadened. Nikki’s career prior to joining AA Insurance is varied. Originally from the United Kingdom, she was part of the British Royal Navy, serving two tours with the Royal Marines, before working in a lobbying organisation, then immigrating to New Zealand and working in Human Resources at the National Women’s Hospital.

A Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (UK), Nikki holds a post-graduate Diploma in Personnel Management and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Westminster. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Humanities, from The Open University (UK).

Richard Park

GM Marketing, Portfolio & Pricing, AA Insurance

Richard’s responsibilities are focused on customer outcomes and ensuring that AA Insurance’s brand promise is fulfilled. He is also responsible for managing all corporate affairs issues, ensuring they are handled in a timely manner.

Richard has over 20 years experience in the insurance industry, joining AA Insurance in 2011 where he started in his current role. Prior to working at AA Insurance, Richard worked in similar roles at AMI and Southern Cross Health Insurance.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Management Studies, majoring in Marketing, from Waikato University.

Aaron Dickinson

GM Strategy, Insights & Analysis, AA Insurance

Aaron is responsible for developing strategy at AA Insurance and collaborating widely within the organisation to drive the changes needed to ensure AA Insurance continues to provide exceptional service at a great price. He also manages the development of new and existing products and the business intelligence used to inform and drive the organisation.

Aaron has 20 years varied experience, gained in NZ and in the UK, across insurance, banking, finance, software development, retail and the music industry. Aaron joined AA Insurance in 2005 and has managed home and motor claims, product development, pricing, underwriting, analytics, customer insights and business improvement.

Martin Chisholm

GM Finance, AA Insurance

Martin is responsible for the finance function at AA Insurance as well as managing the relationships with its bank, investment and reinsurance advisors.

Martin has over 30 years’ experience in the insurance industry. He started his career in the audit practise of Coopers & Lybrand in London, before progressing to Senior Audit Manager in its Auckland and Sydney offices.

Prior to joining AA Insurance, Martin held finance and project roles at PetPlan Insurance, Royal & Sun Alliance, GE Insurance in the UK, and GE Money in New Zealand. He joined AA Insurance as Finance Manager in 2007, before being appointed as Chief Financial Officer in 2011.

Martin is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Mark Daniels

GM Transformation Programme, AA Insurance

Mark oversees the transformation programme of work that includes updating our core systems and associated peripheral systems, providing new capability and setting AA Insurance up for continued future success.

Mark has wealth of insurance industry experience and expertise. He joined AA Insurance in 2021 from Fidelity Life, where he held positions across Marketing, Distribution and Operations, led the delivery and launch of new software, and held senior leadership roles before transitioning into the Fidelity Life Executive Team, more recently as Chief Transformation Officer.

Mark spent several years as a member of multiple committees within the Financial Services Council and in 2017 won the FSC Rising Star Award. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce and a Bachelor of Arts (conjoint) from the University of Auckland.