Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
For Athena Chintis, HR plays a critical role in the success of any organisation.
“When done right, the impact is huge. Establishing yourself as a trusted partner to business stakeholders and drawing on your HR knowledge to adapt to circumstances presented in your company is key,” says Chintis.
As the head of people and culture at Cliftons, a global event solutions company, Chintis has made it her mission to drive organisational change by adapting to evolving workplace and employee needs.
Recently, Chintis has achieved this through revamping Cliftons' employee value proposition to incorporate further lifestyle benefits. Under her leadership, the company has also introduced an "All Roles Flex" policy, providing greater work flexibility options for employees.
“Working in the events industry is very dynamic, fast-moving, and heavily impacted by broader changes in the economy. Having a HR roadmap defining our team’s purpose, the key strategic pillars, and priority initiatives has been important to support business success,” says Chintis.
After majoring in Industrial Relations (Human Resource) studies at the University of Sydney, Chintis knew she wanted to make HR her career. Reflecting on accomplishments of the past year, Chintis says having Cliftons recognised on the 2023 AFR BOSS ‘Best Places to Work’ list is a standout moment.
“The award underpinned the work we’ve put in place over the previous couple of years to make the organisation an inclusive and progressive workplace.”
As a long-term advocate for gender equality, Chintis was also a champion of inclusivity in her previous role at Citigroup.
“I partnered with the CEO and HR director to establish a Diversity Committee of senior representatives (male and female) from all business units. Over several years, we designed multiple initiatives to attract, develop and retain women within a male-dominated industry. I was so proud when we achieved Employer of Choice for Women status for three years running.”
Motivated by her drive to elevate the HR profession to new heights, Chintis attributes her successful career to her unrelenting curiosity. “I love coming up with new ideas, connecting the dots from other settings or situations – and collaborating with others to bring them to life,” she says.
Sharing that her approach to HR leadership is grounded in a philosophy of continuous learning and adaptability, Chintis has never been one to shy away from experimentation.
“I embrace a growth mindset and take the opportunities to learn from both successes and setbacks. The ever-evolving challenges faced by our organisation and the industry at large propel me to seek innovative solutions that not only address immediate needs but also set a visionary course for the future.”
Level 13, 60 Margaret St Sydney NSW 2000
1800 629 088
athena.chintis@cliftons.com
linkedin.com/in/athenachintis
cliftons.com
Athena Chintis
Group Head of People and Culture
Cliftons Event Solutions
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“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
1994–1998
1998–2008
2008–2015
2015–2018
2019–present
Kickstarts HR career within the banking sector: Advance Bank & Commonwealth Bank of Australia
1994–
1998
1998-2006: VP, Senior HR Business Partner/HR Manager - ANZ at Salomon Smith Barney (part of Citigroup)
2006-2008: VP, Head of Resourcing - ANZ at Citi Markets & Banking (part of Citigroup)
1998–
2008
Head of Human Resources at Property Council of Australia
2008–
2015
2015-2018: Contracting with various organisations in the financial services, FMCG, consulting and professional sport industries
2015: Elected to AHRI NSW State Council and became Secretary
2015–
2018
2019–present: Group Head of People and Culture at Cliftons
March 2020–present: Elected to NSW State President, AHRI
2023: Cliftons was recognised as one of Australian Financial Review’s Best Places to Work (#4)
2019–
present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
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