Board of Directors

Helen Thornton

BEc, CA, GAICD CHAIR OF BOARD & INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Helen joined the Ansvar Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director in May 2018 and chaired the Audit and Risk and Compliance Committees from September 2018 to March 2024. She was appointed Chair of the Ansvar Australia Board in March 2024 and also Chair of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. Helen is also a member of the Audit, Risk and Compliance, and Technology Committees.

With over 20 years as a Non-Executive Director, Helen currently serves as Deputy Chair of the Treasury Corporation of Victoria, and as a Director of McPhersons Ltd, Arena REIT and ISPT Pty Ltd. Helen has over 30 years of experience as a Chartered Accountant, having held senior roles at Deloitte, KPMG, BHP Ltd, and BlueScope Steel Ltd. Helen’s extensive experience spans finance, audit, governance and risk management.

Stephanie Jacinta Whyte

MC Inst. M, ACII, Charter Insurer NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Appointed to the Board in August 2013. Jacinta Whyte is the Deputy Group Chief Executive and Executive Director of Ecclesiastical Insurance Office Plc and the Benefact Group.

Jacinta joined Benefact Group in 2003 as the General Manager and Chief Agent for Canadian operations, successfully turning around its performance by building a high-performing team and a thriving specialist insurance business.

Jacinta oversees the Group’s general insurance operations across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and Canada.

Her career began in 1974 as an underwriter with Sun Alliance in Dublin, and she transferred with the company to Canada in 1988. During her tenure at Royal Sun Alliance, she held several senior executive roles in Ireland and Canada.

Jacinta is also a member of the Nominations and Remuneration Committee.

Mark Bennett

BSc Maths & Statistics, FIA, IFoA PC holder NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mark was appointed to the Ansvar Board in March 2022. He is the Chief Actuary of the Benefact Group and its subsidiary, Ecclesiastical Insurance Office, based in the UK. A member of the Group Management Board, Mark reports directly to the Group CEO.

After working at an actuarial consultancy firm in London, he began his career at Benefact Group in 2007. Mark qualified as an Actuary in 2009 and, after working in various actuarial teams, was appointed Group Chief Actuary in 2018. He currently oversees the Group’s Actuarial, Reinsurance, and Data functions.

In his role, Mark directs the development and strategy of the actuarial department, supporting operations across Benefact Group worldwide. He also chairs and participates in several key Boards and Committees within the Group.

Warren Hutcheon

MBA, GAICD, Fellow ANZIIF (CIP) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Warren was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Director of Ansvar in May 2014. Before joining Ansvar, he served as the CEO of the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority, the risk and insurance advisor to the Victorian Government. With over 30 years of experience in risk and insurance, Warren has held senior roles in underwriting, claims, operational management, strategy, and organisational change. He is an active supporter of the Australian insurance industry, previously serving as Chairperson of the ANZIIF General Insurance Faculty Advisory Board, and is deeply involved in community service.

Warren is also a Director of ACS (NZ) Limited and a member of the Technology Committee.

Michael Grantham

MBA, FAICD INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Michael joined the Ansvar Board in March 2016 and brings over 40 years of experience as an information and communications technology professional. He currently works as a Head of Sales for Echelon Data Pty. Ltd. (a Data Science, Analytics and AI/ML company). Michael has held senior executive positions at Google Cloud Public Sector, NBN and Telstra and served as Chief Information Officer at CGU Insurance, Tenix, and Australian Customs and Border Protection. He has also been a director at CGU Australia Limited, CGU Insurance, and Insurance Network Services, an Independent Non-Executive Director of Flaim Systems Pty Ltd and Chair of the board for Ansvar Risk Management Services Pty Ltd.

Michael Chairs the Technology Committee and Risk and Compliance Committee, and is a member of the Audit Committee and Nominations and Remuneration Committee.

David Lambert

BA (Hons)/LLB INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

David joined the Ansvar Board in July 2018. He is a seasoned executive, director, and commercial lawyer with extensive international experience. David has occupied senior roles in risk, strategy, and executive directorship at various organisations and law firms, including Blackmagic Design, Energy Australia, National Foods, Clifford Chance, Ashton Mining, and Bapcor Limited.

In 2023, David was appointed as Ansvar’s Senior Independent Director. He previously chaired the Strategic Review Committee and currently chairs the Audit Committee. David is a member of both the Risk and Compliance Committee and Nominations and Remuneration Committee.

Richard Harding

BEc, MAICD INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Richard was appointed to the Ansvar Board in March 2024.

He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of icare NSW, one of Australia’s largest property and casualty insurers.

With over 35 years of experience in the insurance sector across Australia, Asia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, Richard has spent 16 years as a CEO, leading significant organisational transformations that have resulted in long-term sustainability and value creation.

Richard is also a member of the Sargood Centre Board, a world-first resort designed specifically for individuals with spinal cord injuries, offering opportunities to rest, learn and connect.

Richard is a member of the Audit Committee, Risk and Compliance Committee, and Nominations and Remuneration Committee.