Debbie Donaldson has been appointed as the South African Insurance Association (SAIA) general manager for strategy and planning, as from May 9 2011, the organisation announced on Monday.
This position was created as a result of the development of a new management structure at the SAIA.
“Our new management structure will allow the SAIA to move into a more streamlined operational model in meeting our member’s needs. In order to allow a freer information flow that fosters integration, the new structure will be based on a matrix management system.
“The strategy and planning position was created in order to proactively support the short-term insurance industry through the identification and implementation of strategic initiatives that will meet the industry’s long-term sustainability requirements within the South African market. The role will involve interaction with external stakeholders such as government, international organisations, other local associations, stakeholder groupings and SAIA members, in order to gauge international and local trends, threats and opportunities for the SAIA and the industry represented by the SAIA,” said Barry Scott, SAIA chief executive.
Donaldson’s insurance career started with TransUnion where she pioneered the design and launch of the use of credit data and technology driven solutions within the South African market, for both the life and short-term insurers and brokers. These underwriting, marketing, fraud and claims applications provided a rich platform for insight into understanding the full value chain within the insurance market.
As the managing director of Personal Lines for FNB Insurance Brokers and as the head of Affinity at Aon, responsible for Pinion Insurance Brokers and Pennant Administration, Donaldson gained extensive experience of a fully mandated, administrative business and the value of insurance to the consumer and business markets. She facilitated and created the motor strategy for SAIA with the Motor Committee members of the SAIA in 2009.
“I am delighted to be a part of the SAIA and to work with the industry in my new role. I look forward to making a difference in this key priority area,” said Donaldson. — I-Net Bridge