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
As chief people and capability officer at Medenterprises Services, Kate Batkin has led the organisation to achieve B Corp status, implemented group-wide subsidised private medical insurance, and is focused on enriching employee experiences. This work has had a significant impact at both organisational and individual levels, fostering a positive cultural transformation within the company.
Since Kate started in April 2021, the company’s headcount has increased by 91%, turnover has decreased by 50%, and eNPS has increased by over 2,000%. Kate is also a licensed immigration adviser who supports migrants in navigating the complex immigration processes in New Zealand and across the globe. This role allows her to assist individuals and families in achieving their dreams of living and working in New Zealand.
While juggling these professional roles, Kate holds the most cherished title of all – mum to two wonderful daughters. Balancing the demands of her workplace with her responsibilities as a parent is a testament to the importance of work-life integration, a concept that lies at the heart of Medenterprises Services’ mission to enrich the lives of healthcare professionals and, by extension, improve the wellbeing of people worldwide.
26 Hawthorne Drive, Frankton, Queenstown
021371141
kate.batkin@medenterprises.com
linkedin.com/in/katebatkin
medenterprises.com
Kate Batkin
Chief People and Capability Officer
Medenterprises Services
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Milestones
“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
2011–2013
2014–2020
2021–2022
Present
2020–present
Human Resources Advisor at Queenstown Lakes District Council
2011–
2013
2014–2020: Human Resources Manager at NZSki
2020: Led NZSki to be a finalist in three categories at the Rainbow Excellence Awards
2015: Speaker at Human Resources Advisors Conference
2014–
2020
2021: Head of Human Resources at Medenterprises Services
2022: Chief People & Capability Officer at Medenterprises Services
2021–
2022
Finalist in New HR Awards ‘HR Professional of the Year’ for HRNZ: 2024
Present
2020–present: Founder and Director at PeopleEX
2020: PeopleEX is recognised as one of NZ’s most innovative teams, created Australia’s first certificate IV and diploma in Government (Workplace Relations)
2023: Finalist in HRNZ’s 2023 Award in the “Building Sustainability Through People” category
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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