
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 an independently operated, New Zealand-based joint venture between the New Zealand Automobile Association (NZAA) and Vero Insurance New Zealand Limited (VINZL). Since 1994 we have demonstrated trusted expertise in home, contents and car insurance in New Zealand, and in 2018 introduced commercial small business insurance. We underwrite our own policies and sell direct to New Zealanders. Our 930+ staff look after over 480,000 customers with 970,000 policies.
We proudly partner with Variety NZ and Eden Park and have been consistently recognised by: Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brands (since 2011) and Quality Service Awards for Car, and Home and Contents Insurance (since 2015), Kantar Customer Leadership Index (since 2019), Canstar Blue Most Satisfied Customers (2011-2018), and the Colmar Brunton Corporate Reputation Index (since 2015) that recognises New Zealand’s most successful companies. AA Insurance was also named Consumer NZ People’s Choice award winner for car, home and contents (2019 and 2020).
AA Insurance has an AA- (Very Strong) Insurer Financial Strength Rating given by Standard and Poor’s (Australia) Pty Ltd. For further information visit aainsurance.co.nz.
For more information please contact:
Media Team, AA Insurance, 027 406 1787, mediacontact@aainsurance.co.nz