After 28 years at the helm of AA Insurance, Chief Executive Chris Curtin is set to retire at the end of 2022, concluding nearly three decades of exceptional service.
Under Mr Curtin’s leadership, AA Insurance has grown from a start-up venture, to one of the country’s largest and most-respected insurers – employing over 1,000 people and providing more than one million policies to over half-a-million New Zealanders.
“Chris has built this company from the ground up and his imprint on this business speaks for itself,” said AA Insurance Chair, Doug McTaggart. “Under his leadership, AA Insurance has consistently achieved outstanding results and exceeded expectations, and now dominates a vast array of independent industry awards and honours – including being voted Reader’s Digest most trusted general insurer for over a decade, consistently ranking inside the top ten in the Corporate Reputation Index and ranking among New Zealand’s best places to work.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish to thank Chris for his hard work and dedication over the years, and to acknowledge his unique ability to inspire others to go above and beyond. We have been extraordinarily lucky to have Chris lead our business for so long. We will miss him and wish him and his family all the very best for his retirement,” he said.
Chris Curtin said it was always going to be a difficult decision to leave AA Insurance, but the time is right to hand over the reins to the next generation of leaders.
“It’s been an honour to lead our talented leadership team and work alongside so many others who share my passion for creating outstanding customer experiences and building a team culture that genuinely empowers our people to thrive.
“After 28 years, I will undoubtedly miss the people and the company we built together, but I’m equally as excited to see our remarkable team drive our brand and business forward.
“It’s been a pleasure working closely with Doug and our Board, who have been inspirational in their support and guidance along the way,” Mr Curtin said.
The Board of Directors have commenced a search for a replacement CEO.
About AA Insurance
AA Insurance is a New Zealand-based joint venture between Vero Insurance New Zealand Limited and the New Zealand Automobile Association Limited ('NZAA'). Vero is owned by Suncorp Group Limited, a listed Australian company. NZAA is an incorporated society that is governed by a National Council and Board. Since 1994 we have provided home, contents and car insurance in New Zealand and in 2018 we introduced small business insurance.
We underwrite our own policies and sell direct to New Zealanders. Our New Zealand-based teams looks after 560,000+ customers with more than 1,100,000 policies. Standard and Poor's (Australia) Pty Ltd has given us an Insurer Financial Strength Rating of AA- (Very Strong).
We are consistently recognised in industry awards and honours. This includes being voted the Reader's Digest Most Trusted General Insurer for 14 years running, named Canstar's 2023-2024 Outstanding Value Award winner for Home and Contents insurance and ranked 6th among 50 of New Zealand's top consumer-facing corporates in the Kantar Corporate Reputation Index in 2024.
Find out more at www.aainsurance.co.nz
For more information please contact:
AA Insurance Media Team
mediacontact@aainsurance.co.nz