Our Board

Murray Baird was appointed Chairman in January 2006, and has been on the board since 2002. Murray Baird has been senior partner of Moores Legal, Melbourne, Australia since 1985. His professional practice includes advising in corporations law and governance. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has been a director of a number of non listed public companies. Murray is chairman of the board audit committee.

David Harrison - since 2001. David is a retired insurance broker, having risen to the position of managing director for Marsh Ltd in New Zealand. Whilst only on the Australian board since late in 2000, David has been on the board of Ansvar Insurance Ltd in New Zealand since 1997 and has been chairman since 2000. David's appointment to the Australian board reflects the desire of all parties for a close working relationship between Australia and New Zealand. David is chairman of the board reinsurance committee and a member of the board investment committee.

Jeffrey Thomas - since 2004. Jeffrey has been the Chairman of Jeffrey Thomas & Partners, Chartered Accountants, since 1981. His professional time is principally related to providing strategic and organisational advice to a wide range of businesses. He has held board positions previously with a diverse range of businesses and organisations, including an insurance broker. Jeffrey is a member of the investment committee.

Bruce Harris - since 2005. Bruce joins the board having recently concluded a long career with CGU Insurance. He is an experienced financial executive with a strong commercial awareness and experience in strategy, governance, compliance and risk management, predominately in the insurance industry. Bruce is a member of the audit committee.

Michael Tripp - since 2007. Michael is the Group Chief Executive and is based at the Head Office in Gloucester, UK. Prior to commencing with Ecclesiastical, Michael was a partner with the global professional services practice, Ernst & Young. A qualified actuary, he has more than 30 years' experience in the insurance industry.

W Graham Shearn – since 2006. Graham is General Manager, International Division of Ecclesiastical Insurance Office plc (UK). He has a BA with honours in industrial economics from University of Nottingham. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute. Graham is responsible for providing oversight of Ecclesiastical's overseas businesses, Ansvar Insurance (UK) and the Methodist and Baptist managed insurance companies in the UK. Graham has worked in the insurance industry throughout his professional career.

George Prescott - since 1999. George is Group Executive Director. He has worked in the group for over 20 years. George is primarily responsible for the Group's investment and accounting activities. The investment department working with George is located in London. George attends two meetings per year and is a member of the investment committee.

John Peberdy - since 1999. John is the CEO of Ansvar Insurance Ltd in Australia and New Zealand. He commenced with the company in Adelaide in 1973. After transferring to Melbourne in 1985 to lead an IT project, John has filled a number of senior roles including State Manager for Victoria/Tasmania (1986-1990), National Operations Manager (1990-1998), and General Manager (1998-1999). He was appointed CEO in May 1999. John is a Senior Associate of the Australia and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance and a director of the Insurance Council of Australia.

Dr Bronwyn Hughes joined the Board in October 2006. Dr Hughes has sixteen years of communications management experience in the NGO sector. Currently employed as Associate Professor, Bachelor of Arts (Communication), Southern Cross Theological College (AOG), Dr Hughes brings a deep understanding of and involvement in Ansvar Insurance's core markets. Her Doctorate of Business Administration was obtained from Macquarie Graduate School of Management in 2004.