Gregory Maciag

Context for Standards

“For insurers, the goal for big data is to contextualise it – take the data, give it a context and delete the rest,” says CSC's Gary Jackson.  There's something wrong here. Isn't the big hope of big data that it will suggest new contexts? I'd agree that big data is best managed via standard data definitions and relationships, so if that's Jackson's meaning of “context” then I'm happy.

To judge from his subsequent comments about the expense of storing, analyzing and managing data, Jackson and I are on the same page. Keep the information, delete the noise. You can tell information from noise by matching to a standard.  By the way, ACORD is doing plenty with forward thinking forums in Australia.    Insurance Firms Lag

ACORD L&A in Australia

We have been working with the P&C organizations in Australia for a few years.  We are now beginning to work with the L&A sector. This is our first formal meeting.  Pictured from the bottom and going clockwise are: Kevin Schipani, ACORD; David Pickering, TAL (formerly Tower); John Wells, CommInsure; Kimberly Lathe, CEO Axe Group; Lloyd Chumbley, ACORD; Jimmy Tong, MetLife; Cliff Chaney, ACORD; Jason Gibbs, Allianz; Andrew Zeon – Progress

Australia Brokers & Insurers Working in ACORD

Australia is one of our industry success stories. Eight firms joined ACORD, they include: CGU, IBNA, InsuranceConnect, NAQ Technology, Suncorp, Sportscover, Steadfast and QBE. Several additional firms are planning to participate. Australia brokers along with their key markets took the lead with industry standards several years ago. Some of our international members that do business in Australia are also participating. I am delighted to see this kind of cooperation and proud that ACORD was the catalyst for their success.

 

ACORD in Australia

One of the interesting occurrences over the past ten years has been the participation of new markets and geographies in ACORD. Yes, our work in the United States continues, but others are looking to capitalize on the progress in this evolving global marketplace.  I remember having a meeting with a group of independent agents from the USA held in my office in London.  It didn't take long for everyone to realize that the value chain is long and deep. We all interact with each other in one way or another. Silo's aren't bad thing as long as they can be connected. And the similarities among the various markets is rather obvious.  Ther bottom line is that the value of ACORD Standards increases exponentially with adoption, no matter where it happens.  Download Insurance and Risk Professional

 

ACORD Australia Advisory Committee

The ACORD Australia Advisory committee meeting was held today. Attending from  ACORD were myself and  John Kellington, Lloyd Chumbley, Alan Stitzer, Kevin Schipani and Alisen Herman. Our consultant Lisa Woodley was also present. The committee is chaired by Steve Coles from Allianz Australia.

The committee includes Ben Jones (AIG), Steve Coles (Allianz Australia) Mark  Smith (Aon Australia), Kathy Awanis (CGU), Andrew Gourley (Chubb Australia), Michael Anthony Donnelly (IBNA), Dave Curtis (Marsh), Pranav Pasricha (QBE Australia), Michael Kong (Suncorp), Robert Kelly (Steadfast), Miki Simonovski (Willis), Bobby Lehane (Zurich Australia).

ACORD Australia Seminar

ACORD hosted an educational seminar in Sydney Australia today.  Our team held a two day event attended by 90 executives from Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore.  Topics covered basic ACORD information and detailed technical sessions on the Standards. Members of ACORD also spoke at the event including Steven Cole (Allianz) and Ian Cooke (Chubb). Pictured with me are Steven Cole, John Kellington and John Leonard.  John Leonard opened the two day event with his remarks about ACORD and met with key executives to discuss ACORD governance. Australia Seminar Agenda