Location: Australia

Philip Rock joins our Marine Team in Sydney

In our continued commitment to provide quality surveying services, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Philip Rock as a newly appointed Marine Surveyor in the Sydney team.

Philip has over nine years’ experience in the insurance industry. Prior to joining Cunningham Lindsey, Philip served in the Royal Air Force, RAF UK and worked at Halifax Vogel Group and CSL Global Ltd. He has also worked extensively as part of the project cargo team, which saw him gain further experience in loss prevention – notably the processes involved in the transportation of project cargoes around the world, as well as risk reductions.

Philip has a passion for the industry and actively furthered his education with a diploma in cargo surveying, specialising in project cargoes, heavy lifts, containers and general cargoes.

New capacity in Sydney complements our well established existing network throughout Australia, now covering all major Ports. Our Marine team can assist in a range of services including pre-loss surveys for underwriting purposes.

Cunningham Lindsey expands Australian Major & Complex Loss Team

Cunningham Lindsey Australia is pleased to announce two new appointments to its internationally renowned Major & Complex Loss team (MCL Global). Paul Stanyon and Steve Cooke both join the Brisbane office with immediate effect.

Paul Stanyon is joining the MCL Global – Marine team, as a Senior Marine Surveyor. Steve Cooke joins the MCL Global – Construction team, as an Executive Adjuster.

Paul’s career began with a Naval Architecture cadetship in 1983 in Sydney. He has over 30 years of experience in commercial vessel and recreational boat construction, survey and design. Paul has worked in commercial vessel construction and design houses in Australia and in the UK. He was previously managing director of his own marine design and survey business. He is a full member of Australian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) and holds Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as an Accredited Marine Surveyor.

Steve has over 30 years of extensive loss adjusting experience which encompasses major and complex losses in Southern Africa, Jamaica and New Zealand. Steve is recognised as an expert and specialist in major fire, construction and engineering losses. As an executive and lead Loss Adjuster, Steve has also managed multiple disciplines in respect of catastrophic storm events, metropolitan city assets and infrastructures.

Mark Thompson, Head of MCL Global Asia Pacific, said: “These appointments reflect our continued commitment to provide quality adjusting services nationally, aiming to continue to deliver the high levels of services our clients know and expect. Both Paul and Steve are highly regarded in the industries and both bring a high level of experience and understanding to their roles. Their appointments will support the range of services we can offer all our clients across Australia.”

Steve Cooke joins the Major & Complex Loss Team

In our continued commitment to provide quality adjusting services nationally, Cunningham Lindsey’s Major and Complex Loss – construction team, is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Cooke as an Executive Adjuster. He is currently located in our Brisbane office.

Steve has over 30 years of extensive loss adjusting experience which encompasses major and complex losses in Southern Africa, Jamaica and New Zealand. Steve is recognised as an expert and specialist in major fire, construction and engineering losses.

As an executive and lead Loss Adjuster, Steve has also managed multiple disciplines in respect of catastrophic storm events and received Broker/Insurer nominated appointment attending to Metropolitan City Assets and infrastructures.

You can contact Steve directly on: M: +61 427 408 095. E: steve.cooke@cl-au.com

Paul Stanyon appointed Senior Marine Surveyor

In our continued commitment to provide quality surveying services nationally, Cunningham Lindsey’s Major & Complex Loss – Marine team, is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Stanyon located in our Brisbane office in a Senior Marine Surveyor role servicing Queensland.

Paul’s career began with a Naval Architecture cadetship in 1983 at the Australian Naval Base, Garden island dock yard in Sydney. He has over 30 years of experience in commercial vessel and recreational boat construction, survey and design.

Paul has worked in commercial vessel construction and design houses in Australia and in the United Kingdom. He was managing director of his own marine design and survey business which provided survey compliance’s for numerous and varied commercial vessels. He is a full member of Australian Institute of Marine Surveyors (AIMS) and holds Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification as an Accredited Marine Surveyor.

New capacity in Brisbane complements our well established existing network throughout Australia, now covering all major Ports. Our Marine team is able to assist in a range of services including pre-loss surveys for underwriting purposes.

To appoint Paul to a new survey simply mark your new instructions to the attention of Paul and email to marine@cl-au.com.

You are able to contact Paul directly on: M: +61 413 420 181. E: paul.stanyon@cl-au.com

The FAS Focus – Edition 10

Click here to download The FAS Focus – Edition 10

The articles in this edition demonstrate the need for a heightened awareness of global news events and economic matters. In the first article, Maina Wagiciengo of FAS Global (UK) discusses global changes in oil prices and the effect on business interruption matters, including policy limits. Quantification of these losses is important and highlights again that we, as forensic accountants, adjusters and lawyers must know the industry that we are working with.

In the second article, Richard Fowler, FAS Global (Canada), discusses Cyber Losses. As technological advances continue and cyber losses/breaches are in the news frequently, awareness of related legislation and policies becomes more crucial.

We Respond to the Flooding at Lismore, New South Wales, Australia

Our attention turns to the flooding at Lismore, New South Wales, Australia from Tropical Cyclone Debbie. The flooding still continues across the north east of NSW and south east QLD. The area remains unsafe and access will be difficult for the days ahead.

While we continue to monitor the situation, should you need any support, please call your Cunningham Lindsey Account Manager, local branch or 1 800 811 285.

FAS Global in Australia on the ground to assist the aftermath of Cyclone Debbie

FAS Global in Australia are currently responding to one of Australia’s largest natural catastrophes. To assist our clients, additional resources from FAS Global teams in the UK, Canada and USA are arriving next week to bolster our response.

Here is aerial footage of damage following Tropical Cyclone Debbie from Airlie Beach. Stay tuned for more locations over the next few days.

If you or any of your customers need support with the Cyclone Debbie claims, please call:

24/7 Customer Service Centre
1800 811 285
claims@cl-au.com

Tropical Cyclone Debbie video footage from Airlie Beach

We thought it was timely to give you a quick update from our CAT Response team in North Queensland.

As authorities are granting access, our teams are getting in on the ground. Here is aerial footage of damage following Tropical Cyclone Debbie from Airlie Beach. Stay tuned for more locations over the next few days.

In the meantime, should you need any support, please call your Account Manager, local branch or 1800 811 285.

If you or any of your customers need support with the Cyclone Debbie claims, please call:
24/7 Customer Service Centre
1800 811 285
claims@cl-au.com

Potential Cyclone Debbie forming off Queensland Coast

Potential Cyclone Debbie forming off Queensland Coast

Over the coming weekend, a tropical low is expected to intensify as it works towards the coast of Queensland, anticipated at this early stage to cross north of Townsville as a Category 3 cyclone on Monday morning 27th March.

Cyclones remain unpredictable in their early stages of development, so we will be watching the event unfold with anticipation, as we prepare our response scenarios.

Cunningham Lindsey Response

With branches in Cairns & Townsville, we have a thorough understanding of local requirements, supply chain and all the factors that impact a successful response to a large scale event. We have staff already assigned to the critical Catastrophe Management roles, as well as Adjusters on standby to be mobilised once we understand the extent of the damage should the cyclone hit the mainland.

Major & Complex Loss (MCL) Team – Our specialist team of experts deliver the technical skills, industry specific knowledge and best practices to respond to losses of significant size and complexity. All Adjusters will be available to travel for this event.

FAS Global – Our qualified team of independent forensic accountants specialise in business interruption and financial losses with extensive experience in catastrophe and major loss quantification. They will have Accountants on the ground supporting our commercial Adjusters.

Sergon Building Consultants – Sergon has a thorough understanding of the issues and Code requirements, and cost escalation elements that may affect your claims. Sergon will be available to consult with local Quantity Surveyors & Project Managers to assist with major property claims.

Oriel Property Services – are available for urgent mitigation and general restoration services. A Project Manager for major restoration projects will be available in the first wave of staff on the ground if needed.

FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE OR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT BELOW:

24/7 Customer Service Centre

1800 877 285

claims@cl-au.com

 

Cyclone Debbie strikes Queensland

As expected, here at Cunningham Lindsey we have been transfixed by Tropical Cyclone Debbie as it has edged its way towards the Queensland coast, expected to arrive at 2pm today hopefully remaining no more than a Category 4 storm. A few high-level details based on what we now know:

  • The very destructive core crossed Hamilton Island with wind gusts up to 263km/h. Boats in the harbour have already been torn from their moorings
  • The eye is larger and progressing slower than recent Yasi (2011) & Larry (2006) so potential for damage could indeed be immense
  • The cyclone will arrive near Bowen just after the second highest tide of the year, so the anticipated four metre storm surge may not cause as much damage as initially feared
  • Significant damage is expected to be experienced as far north as Ayr, as far south as Sarina, and as far west as Collinsville
  • The cyclone will later today become a Low, and slowly work its way through central QLD dumping extraordinary levels of rain which could cause flooding issues inland later in the week.

In short, this is the largest potential natural Catastrophe event in Australia for almost 6 years.

Planning for this event has been underway since last week, with CAT offices planned for Townsville & Mackay where our response will be led by Jason Wyer & Phil Marshall. We have 29 staff throughout Central & Northern Queensland, and we are pleased to report that all of our staff are safe. Our Mackay office remains closed until further notice, and we expect local staff will be on deck later today once they have looked after their families first.

As in previous large events the primary need of our Clients and your Customers is immediate contact, prioritisation of claim severity, make safes and site visits of urgent claims. Our initial triage will be managed from our Customer Service Centre whilst we await access to be available to our CAT offices, and we will stay in close contact with our Clients and Brokers.

An initial support team of an additional 15 Adjusters plus CAT Management team are awaiting notice to travel as soon as airports open, to support our local teams, whilst all other Adjusters and a selected number of support staff have been put on standby. The slow moving nature of this cyclone is impacting our certainty over the arrival of our teams, and this is being closely monitored.

Our drones are already in place in Mackay, and dependent upon authority we intend to conduct a general assessment of the damage zones tomorrow. Should you be interested in any specific footage, please contact your Account Manager to discuss further.

We’ll update you again as we learn more from the field following the passing of the cyclone. If you or any of your customers need support with the Cyclone Debbie claims, please call:

24/7 Customer Service Centre
1800 811 285
claims@cl-au.com

Major & Complex Loss (MCL) Team – Our specialist team of experts deliver the technical skills, industry specific knowledge and best practices to respond to losses of significant size and complexity. We have MCL Adjusters travelling in the first wave, and have all of our property, construction, engineering and marine specialists on standby.

FAS Global – Our qualified team of independent forensic accountants specialise in business interruption and financial losses with extensive experience in catastrophe and major loss quantification. They will have Accountants on the ground supporting our commercial Adjusters, as well as a dedicated team to manage business interruption only claims resulting from prevention of access due to forced evacuation, or loss of power.

Sergon Building Consultants – Sergon has a thorough understanding of the issues and Code requirements, and cost escalation elements that may affect your claims. Sergon will be meeting with the affected local councils to understand their specific plans, and our Quantity Surveyors & Project Managers will available to consult to assist with major property claims.

Oriel Property Services – Oriel are available for urgent mitigation and general restoration services. A Project Manager for major restoration projects will be available in the first wave of staff on the ground.