About LADUCA

LADUCA is a forum primarily for the ongoing education and professional development of our Membership of life and disability claims and underwriting professionals as well as providing an environment to share knowledge on industry issues and network with like-minded professionals.

A similar group operates independently in the Auckland region under the same name however it is important to note that the associations operate and are governed independently.

Australia has a similar but far larger association, ALUCA. Membership to ALUCA is open to New Zealand based Life and Disability Underwriting and Claims professionals. To find out more about ALUCA you can visit the website www.aluca.com.  

Scott Phillips

Business Manager, NZ
RGA Australia (New Zealand Branch)

Scott has worked in the New Zealand life insurance industry for 25 years. He joined RGA in 2007 as part of an initiative to ensure local claims support for RGA’s partners in the New Zealand market. Prior to joining RGA Scott worked for a number of direct insurers in New Zealand and is a technical expert across all product lines. Scott’s experience includes Claims, Administration and Customer Service management roles.

In March 2016 Scott became the Business Manager for RGA in New Zealand assuming responsibility for Business Development in addition to continuing his support of the operational needs of RGA’s clients.

Scott has been a serving committee member for the New Zealand Life and Disability Underwriting and Claims Assessors Association for many years and is a passionate advocate for the industry in New Zealand.

Libby Watson

Underwriter

Libby Watson is a Wellington based underwriter for NIB Insurance 

A passionate advocate for ongoing learning, Libby has been part of the LADUCA Committee for many years, serving as both Communications Co-ordinator and Chairperson of LADUCA previously.

Sarah Kitchen

Claims Manager, Partners Life

Sarah started her claims journey back in 2003 at ACC where she worked in several areas of case management including front end, long term, and serious injury claims.

In 2014 she made the move to the private sector with Asteron Life and held Case Manager, Senior Case Manager and Claims Manager roles prior to her departure in July 2021 when she shifted to Partners Life.

Sarah enjoys the technical challenge of interpreting medical, financial and policy information while supporting clients back to wellness and work.

Sarah has been on the Laduca committee since 2019. Initially in the role of Secretary and then Treasurer since 2020.

Sarah El-Khansa

Senior Claim Consultant, SCOR

Life & Health | Australia and New Zealand

Sarah El-Khansa has worked in the life Insurance Industry for over 10 years. She holds a Batchelor of Science (Psychology) and started her career as a Behaviour Therapist before moving into the Life Insurance Industry.

Sarah has held several roles in the claims space from case management, team management, leadership, training and currently a Senior Claims Consultant.

Sarah has recently joined LADUCA as a general committee member.

Patrick Stanton

Senior Claims Specialist, Gen Re

Life & Health | Australia and New Zealand

Patrick is a Senior Claims Specialist for Gen Re’s Life & Health business in Australia and New Zealand. He has over ten years life insurance claims experience including management and technical roles with some of Australia’s leading life insurers.

Prior to this, Patrick was a Physiotherapist focusing on musculoskeletal rehabilitation and treatment for work and sports injuries.

He is a CPLI associate member of ALUCA.

Suzanne Whyte

Technical Claims Consultant, RGA

Suzanne has worked in the life insurance industry dealing with Life and Disability claims for 30+ years. 

Originally from the United Kingdom, she immigrated to Australia in September 2009, enhancing her claims expertise during her tenure with two major direct insurers before joining RGA in 2015.   With experience across all product lines, Suzanne works with clients across Australia and New Zealand.

Suzanne holds a Life and Disability Claims Diploma (CII) and has previously held various positions on the ALUCA (Vic) Committee over a 4-year period.

A keen walker and foodie, Suzanne likes to spend her weekends exploring Melbourne by foot and experiencing the delights of the restaurant culture.