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
Mark Lewis is an award-winning leader widely recognised for his transformative impact on workplace culture and wellbeing initiatives. As head of people and culture at Connetics since May 2022, he has been at the forefront of the energy industry, navigating the intricate challenges posed by the energy trilemma.
One of his standout achievements dovetails with the industry’s most pressing challenge: striking a balance between sustainability, equity, and resilience for its customers while grappling with the demand for a highly skilled workforce that has consistently outpaced supply, creating a delicate equilibrium to maintain.
“In the face of the challenges in the energy sector, my approach has been one of innovation and strategic talent development and recognising these challenges are not roadblocks but opportunities to find new solutions,” Lewis explains.
Staying at the leading edge of his profession and sector has allowed Lewis and his team to proactively address talent shortages by empowering leaders to deliver engagement and retention activities and taking the lead on effective talent management strategies and forward-thinking recruitment initiatives.
“My goal has been to not only navigate these challenges but to seize the opportunities they present,” he adds. “By prioritising proactive talent development and management, I aim not just to keep pace with industry evolution but to position Connetics as a leader in the ever-changing energy landscape.”
That dedication and commitment to excellence garnered Lewis the prestigious recognition of being named to Human Resources Director New Zealand’s Hot List of 2024. He has also earned acclaim for fostering positive workplaces, exemplified by his win at the 2019 Champion Business Awards.
Subsequently, as people and capability manager at national law firm Lane Neave, Lewis earned finalist positions in multiple categories at the HeadFit Awards and HRDNZ Awards.
In 2022, his excellence was underscored with dual awards at the HRDNZ Awards for NZ HR Manager of the Year and Best Health and Wellbeing Program, along with being named a finalist at the HRNZ and HeadFit awards.
Lewis’s leadership trajectory began in 2014-15 when he served as acting chief instructor at the New Zealand Army, earning the prestigious Chief of Army Commendation in 2015 for his exceptional contributions. He later transitioned to the healthcare sector, taking on various senior management roles.
With an approach that emphasises adaptability, resilience, and embracing change as a pathway to growth, Lewis has learned valuable lessons through challenges. He takes pride in his ability to build teams from the ground up, watching them evolve into self-sufficient entities.
“My role and career are anchored in the belief that true leadership is about empowering individuals to reach their full potential,” he notes. “Throughout my diverse career journey, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with exceptionally talented individuals. This experience has allowed me to cultivate a leadership style centred on creating self-sufficient teams that function independently and actively seek my involvement.”
Lewis’s belief in the pivotal role of HR teams as crucial enablers of company growth is a potent motivator to perform at his peak.
“Demonstrating that HR is not just a supportive function but a strategic partner in organisational success has been a guiding motivation,” he comments. “Empowering leaders to take the lead in engagement and retention activities has been a focal point, emphasising the transformative impact HR professionals can have on organisational success and the bottom line. More importantly, this aligns with the broader goal of addressing the energy trilemma — sustainability, equity and resilience — to build a cleaner and brighter future.”
11 Islington Avenue, Islington, Christchurch 8042
+64273077015
mark.m.lewis@connetics.co.nz
linkedin.com/in/marklewisnz
connetics.co.nz
Mark Lewis
Head of People and Culture
Connetics
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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
2014–2015
2016–2018
2018–2020
2020–2022
2022–present
Chief Instructor (Acting) at New Zealand Army (Army Leadership Centre)
2014–
2015
Manager, Wellbeing, Health and Safety at Canterbury District Health Board (People and Capability)
2016–
2018
Head of Talent, Leadership and Capability at Canterbury District Health Board (People and Capability)
2018–
2020
People and Capability Manager at Lane Neave (national law firm)
2020–
2022
Head of People and Culture at Connetics (“All Ways Connecting”)
2022–
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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