Protecta appoints new leader

Protecta Insurance has promoted Bart Taylor to be its head of automotive following the New Zealand company’s recent takeover by Assurant.

Taylor, pictured, will be responsible for leading Protecta and “developing priorities, goals and strategies to strengthen the brand and business across multiple channels and networks”. 

He first joined the business in 2019 and has held multiple general manager roles including for claims, operations and sales networks. Most recently he was general manager direct business and chief customer officer.  

“In these roles, he redefined the customer journey and client experience, refocused the direct business strategy and streamlined the business models for accident management and repair network, motor vehicle assessing and glass management,” says Protecta. 

“He also led the digitisation of customer correspondence and strengthened the client network across New Zealand.”

Taylor has more than 30 years’ of experience across insurance and banking, He has previously worked for Allianz, Sovereign, BNZ and Westpac. 

His career has also seen him live and work in various management roles across Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Taylor will be supported in his new position at Protecta by a senior management committee comprised of Shannon Beech, general manager intermediated and agent business, Kevin Mckay, chief financial officer, Ross Coutts, sales director, New Zealand at Assurant, Emile Blasetti, product manager, Asia-Pacific at Assurant, and Trent Lethlean, people organisation director, Australia and New Zealand at Assurant.