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
Laurence Halabut’s passion for human resources started in the 1990s. Beginning his early career at Bankwest, the senior executive has over 25 years of professional experience.
With expertise spanning across both corporate and unionised environments, Halabut is the current people and culture leader at Australian Military Bank (AMB), where he uses his well-rounded management skills to engage employees and foster organisational change.
As the country’s longest-serving defence financial institution, AMB is devoted to helping those in the armed forces make the most of their money – and Halabut is committed to helping the team members who make this possible.
Since joining the organisation in 2020, the executive has accomplished an impressive list of achievements, including managing the transition of a new CEO and the development of a new people strategy to promote engagement and diversity.
Reflecting on his career, Halabut is most proud of his leadership skills – which he attributes to his approachability and open coaching style. “Leading by example is paramount to me, it provides the authenticity and empathy for me to excel as a HR leader.”
As a trusted advisor across his organisation, Halabut frequently draws from his extensive industry knowledge.
“My mantra, which I share with my Teams and wider, is ‘you are the sum of all your experiences,’” continues Halabut.
Prior to joining AMB, the executive previously worked for global organisations including HBOS Australia, Qantas and Toyota Finance.
“I am a firm believer that HR skills are transferable across the industry,” says Halabut. “The learnings and development throughout my career have provided me with the skills needed to deliver in my current role.”
Developing and launching a new employee value proposition (EVP) at Toyota Finance, which is still used today, remains a standout accomplishment for Halabut.
“Having a well-developed and implemented EVP is critical to having high performance and an engaged culture – which ultimately leads to employee attraction, retention, and overall improved business performance,” confirms the executive.
It’s no secret, however, that many of these objectives became harder to achieve following the onset of remote work. According to Halabut, the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic encouraged many HR professionals to develop strategies to engage the new online workforce.
Over the last 12 months, the Military Bank executive has continued to focus his attention on initiatives and programs designed to strengthen the bank’s corporate community.
“No longer are employers able to dictate that all employees are to work from the office; Covid lockdowns proved remote working works,” says Halabut.
“Employers need to provide employees with clear expectations for performance and delivery. Part of this change being led by HR is developing managers to manage remotely,” continues the executive.
While Halabut admits that the pandemic has left lasting challenges for HR professionals across the industry, he believes there is great power in transparency.
“I believe in sharing experiences – the good and bad – so others can learn. Across HR, we are all dealing with and working on similar issues, and being able to share how we are interpreting and implementing these into our business is paramount.”
Level 1, 1 Bligh Street, Sydney
+61 413 642 573
lhalabut@australianmilitarybank.com.au
linkedin.com/in/laurencehalabut
australianmilitarybank.com.au
Laurence Halabut
Chief People Officer
Australian Military Bank
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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
2006–2008
2008–2010
2011–2019
2019–present
2020–present
Head of HR, BOS International & Capital Finance at HBOS Australia
2006–
2008
Head of People Support Services at Bankwest
2008–
2010
2011–2019: Chief Human Resources Officer at Toyota Financial Services
2017: Finalist, HR Director of the Year, Australian HR Awards
2011–
2019
Director/Founder at eXculture
2019–
present
Chief People Officer at Australian Military Bank
2020–
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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