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Unimutual is delighted to welcome Dianne Allen to the Board as a non-executive Member Director.
Dianne joined the Unimutual Board as a Non-Executive Director in April 2022, replacing Professor Deborah Hodgson.
Dianne has over 30 years’ experience in professional practice, more than 20 years’ as a Director in the not-for-profit space, and more than 15 years’ experience in the Higher Education sector.
Currently, Dianne is the University Secretary, Governance and Assurance Services, Vice-Chancellor's Division at the University of Newcastle, as well as being a member of the University’s Executive Committee. Previous positions include Chair of Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee at Lake Macquarie City Council since 2017 and Chair and Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee at Hunter New England Local Health District since 2016.
Dianne is a registered Agent with ASIC, is approved by the NSW Treasury as Chair and member of Audit and Risk Committees for State Owned Corporations and in 2021 was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from the University of Newcastle.
We look forward to having Dianne’s expertise and insight on the Board and thank Deborah for her contribution.
Why choose Unimutual?
Thanks to our member-owned structure, Unimutual offers universities, higher education-focused and research institutions asset and risk protection products and services that are tailored to the specific needs of the education sector.
“I suppose if you apply the stereotypes of what you expect from an insurance company, Unimutual doesn’t compare. They don’t keep you waiting on the phone. They visit their member sites and undertake a proper and thorough assessment of their potential risk. They provide advice on risk mitigation. They provide advice on how to keep member contributions down. They are very responsive. They work with you to settle any claims. They share both member and specialist knowledge. They don’t fit the mould.”
University College, The University of Melbourne
As a Unimutual Member or broker partner, you enjoy access to:
Value-driven protection only a not-for-profit mutual can offer because surpluses are redirected to Member benefits rather than shareholders’ dividends.
One of the higher education and research institutions sector’s most comprehensive resources library with a large collection of insurance data, articles and insights.
A community of your industry peers facilitating shared learning and development of sector best practice around asset and risk protection, management and loss mitigation.
Unimutual’s expert key account management team who have significant experience in risk management within the sector.
To understand more about Unimutual’s history, purpose and structure, visit “Our Story”
How Unimutual can help
Unimutual’s antecedents first offered protection to Australian and New Zealand universities in 1989. This means we have a long track record of helping Members with asset and liability risk protection and can tailor our services to your needs.
Comprehensive coverage
Unimutual offers the most comprehensive cover for the sector, including risks that others won’t cover. Given our mutual structure, Unimutual is able to tailor cover specifically to meet changing needs and emerging risks.
Discretionary protection
All claims are dealt with by the discretion of the Unimutual Board. Members can expect the Board to consider and accept claims falling within the protection wording. However, Members can also request that claims falling outside the protection (as distinct from those expressly excluded) should be reviewed by their peers on the Board and considered for discretionary protection. We have a good track record of approving claims whenever we can.
Collaboration
Unimutual actively promotes loss prevention and mitigation, by both advising individual Members on risk and collaboratively sharing insights and lessons across the entire Member base. Unimutual’s in-house risk manager consults widely with Members, co-ordinates and leads a number of special interest groups and produces practical advice through regular publications.
We're here for you
Unlike a traditional insurance company, Unimutual exists solely for its Members. This means you can expect a different experience with us, an experience that puts you first.
Speed of claim settlement
Unimutual responds to claims more efficiently than commercial insurance companies, and our personal claims system allows us to expedite and simplify the process. Our settlement process is transparent and strives to ensure a clear and fair resolution of all claims, even those that may require a discretionary decision by the Board.
Strong, experienced, committed team
Each of our managers has personal relationships with our clients, conducts regular site visits and has extensive knowledge of Members’ individual requirements, potential risks and priorities. There is no Unimutual call centre – just a personal relationship and bespoke service with people who know and understand Members’ businesses.
Transparency
Members control the Unimutual Board through a constitutionally-preserved majority of Directors elected from the membership. All Members are provided with the annual accounts and invited to the AGM and other events.
Some helpful resources
Articles
Unimutual Members push toward Net Zero – Emerging Risk Report: Issue 88
Climate change is top of the agenda on a global scale, and one of the most important strategies to slow the pace of global warming is […]
Reports
Unimutual Members push toward Net Zero – Emerging Risk Report: Issue 88
Climate change is top of the agenda on a global scale, and one of the most important strategies to slow the pace of global warming is […]
Checklists
Unimutual Property Valuation Guidelines
Unimutual Property Valuation Guidelines have been developed to assist in creating uniformity and consistency in the declaration of member assets for protection. They can be used […]
