Our Executive
Nicholas Kirk Chief Executive Officer
Nick joined the Calliden Group in March 2004 to build a new insurance group from the foundation of the successful run-off of the old reinsurance portfolio.
Nick has over 25 years experience in the industry with extensive experience locally, in the UK and in mainland Europe.
Nick was previously with Vero where he held a number of general management roles, most latterly responsible for their speciality businesses in Australia. Prior to Vero, Nick held various senior underwriting management roles internationally with the Royal & Sun Alliance Group.
Nick is a Chartered Insurer of the Chartered Insurance Institute, London.
More about Nick
Born? Lewisham, South London
Went to school? Keston in Kent
Worst job you’ve ever had? Junior Inspector - Soho
How long have you been at Calliden? 5 years
What do you like most about working at Calliden? The challenge
How would people describe your personality? Straight forward and analytical
What do you do to unwind? Work
Any pets? 2 dogs, a cat and a goldfish
What is your proudest moment? My 25th wedding anniversary
Any thing(s) that have happened to you, that appeared horribly embarrassing at the time but funny now? Doing a survey at a "health club" that turned out to be a bordello
What have you done that no one would guess you'd done? I used to sell jewellery on a market stall
Adrian Diggelmann Group Executive, Finance, Portfolio, Governance & Investment
Adrian is responsible for managing the finance, portfolio, governance and investment functions of Calliden Group. The role includes oversight of finance, risk management, compliance, legal, company secretarial, investor relations and regulatory relations activities, portfolio management and investment management, capital management, mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures.
Adrian has 14 years' experience in financial services, gained largely in the general insurance and funds management sectors. He previously held a number of finance roles at MLC and GIO. Adrian is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of Chartered Secretaries Australia, a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance, a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He holds an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management.
More about Adrian
Born? Auckland NZ
Went to school? Auckland
Worst job you’ve ever had? Kitchen hand
How long have you been at Calliden? Since 2006
What do you like most about working at Calliden? The opportunity to make a difference and be involved in a wide variety of projects
How would people describe your personality? Analytical
What do you do to unwind? Read
What have you done that no one would guess you'd done? I won a baby contest. I think I peaked too early in my modelling career
Glen Hickey Group Executive, Shared Services & Business Efficiency
Glen is responsible for managing the information technology, accounts and credit control, reinsurance and people and culture functions of Calliden Group. The role includes oversight of the roll out and management of systems, operational responsibility for Calliden's reinsurance function as well as human resources.
Prior to joining Calliden, Glen was Chief Information Officer at Zurich Insurance where he oversaw the implementation of their on-line systems for insurance intermediaries. He has headed technology departments in both investment banking (Elders Finance) and retail banking (Adelaide Bank). He was a Non-executive Director of Cashcard Limited and he has hands-on experience on start-up ventures, most notably as Director of Investments for the on-line mortgage broker, eChoice.
Glen holds a BSC from the University of New South Wales, a PhD from Yale and a Graduate Diploma in Finance and Investment. He is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute. He is a graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon.
More about Glen
Born? Toowoomba (the pride of the Darling Downs)
Went to school? Toowoomba (boarded… for heavens’ sake.)
Worst job you’ve ever had? Picking peanuts in the Queensland summer sun!
How long have you been at Calliden? Three and a half years
What do you like most about working at Calliden? The enthusiasm in people
How would people describe your personality? “Not exactly a shrinking violet”
What do you do to unwind? Climb high mountains and run, ski or sled down
Any pets? Not since the cat died - aged 19 years
Your proudest moment? Watching our daughter graduate
Any thing(s) that have happened to you, that appeared horribly embarrassing at the time but funny now? Winning a down hill slalom skiing race, letting everyone know about it, feeling like a million dollars, and then…falling in the lift line to hilarious outbursts!
What have you done that no one would guess you'd done? Demonstrated Tae Kwan Do sparring in shopping centres
Robert Walliser Group Executive, Retail
Robert is responsible for the Retail area of Calliden Group. In his role, Robert oversees SME underwriting and domestic underwriting divisions, eBusiness and our regional and rural business.
Robert joined Calliden as part of the purchase of Australian Unity General Insurance Company where he was the Chief Operating Officer. Previously, he was a management consultant with KPMG, where he consulted primarily to the financial services sector. Robert has worked both locally and internationally in South Africa and Switzerland. Robert holds a PhD and Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg; a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of South Africa; and a Graduate Certificate in Business from RMIT.
More about Robert
Born? Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
Went to school? Sasolburg High School, Orange Free State, South Africa
Worst job you’ve ever had? Doing the ironing!
How long have you been at Calliden? Seven years
What do you like most about working at Calliden? Building a new company
How would people describe your personality? Always on the go – probably annoyingly so…
What do you do to unwind? Taking the kids to watch the Mighty Saints
Any pets? Tropical fish – not very exciting
What is your proudest moment? Helping a staff member recently to realise their full potential
Any thing(s) that have happened to you, that was appeared horribly embarrassing at the time but funny now? Dipping my prawn into the finger bowl much to the amusement of the Chinese waiters
What have you done that no one would guess you'd done? Designed and commissioned a 33,000 volts electrical substation
Stephen Fay Group Executive, Commercial Agency and Claims
Stephen is responsible for IUA, commercial specialty business and claims. The role includes oversight of our business interruption agency, IUA, all commercial specialty business and liability and litigated claims.
He has spent the past decade in strategic and analytical roles within the Australian insurance market, including roles at Suncorp, Re AC and APRA. Stephen has tertiary degrees in mathematics and economics, and holds an MBA through the Macquarie Graduate School of Management.
More about Stephen
Born? North Sydney
Went to school? Manly
Worst job you’ve ever had? Cleaning out the sausage maker at the butchers
How long have you been at Calliden? Since April 2004
What do you like most about working at Calliden? The staff’s positive attitude in rising to new challenges
How would people close to you describe your personality? Energetic
What do you do to unwind? Read and ride my bike
Any pets? No
What is your proudest moment? My 12 year old daughter winning an argument against me
Any thing(s) that have happened to you, that appeared horribly embarrassing at the time but funny now? Cutting my own hair for many years
What have you done that no one would guess you'd done? Have my photographed face used as a case study on emotions in anthropology for the past 20 years
Mike Hooton Group Executive, Marketing & Distribution
Mike is responsible for: ensuring the Group has a distinctive corporate identity and each specialist brand promotes its unique proposition clearly and effectively; and managing and developing the Group's diverse distribution network in order to maximise profitable revenue growth
Mike is an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute UK and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Management Science specialising in Marketing. He also has a diploma in General Management from INSEAD.
More about Mike
Born? Wigan, Lancashire U.K.
Went to school? Wigan
Worst job you’ve ever had? Plucking turkeys for Christmas
How long have you been at Calliden? Since September 2004
What do you like most about working at Calliden? The variety
How would people close to you describe your personality? Compulsively obsessive at times
What do you do to unwind? Spend as much time as I can with my daughter seeing life through the eyes of a 3 year old
Any pets? Two cats including a diabetic one and the other has 3 legs
What is your proudest moment? I would like to say Wigan Athletic FC getting promoted to the premier league in 2005 but I better say the birth of my daughter in the same year
Any thing(s) that have happened to you, that appeared horribly embarrassing at the time but funny now? Having the top of my ear sewn back on by a dentist - honestly! Following a rugby match
What have you done that no one would guess you'd done? I met Lady Gaga at Brisbane Airport or I played first grade rugby union in the U.K.
Ian Mabbutt Group Executive, Specialty Personal Lines
Ian is responsible for Speciality Personal Lines. This includes the oversight of Dawes Motor Underwriting our prestige motor and bike portfolio and Mansions of Australia, our high net worth household underwriting agency.
He has been with Calliden for more than 5 years, one of the original Calliden team members. Prior to joining Calliden Ian was with Suncorp responsible for strategy and planning for its general insurance business. In all Ian has over 25 years experience in the Australian general insurance industry working across both personal and commercial lines of business. His experience extends from underwriting to claims to strategy, having held senior roles in these capacities throughout his career. He is a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) and has a Master of Business Administration from the AGSM.
More about
Born? Canley Vale, Sydney
Went to school? Canley Vale, Sydney
Worst job you’ve ever had? Cashier
How long have you been at Calliden? Since October 2004
What do you like most about working at Calliden? There is never a dull moment!
How would people close to you describe your personality? Calm, measured
What do you do to unwind? Mainly exercise related, running, bike riding, kayaking and watching Friday night Football.
Any pets? A cat
What is your proudest moment? The birth of my son
Any thing(s) that have happened to you, that were horribly embarrassing at the time but funny now? Being dragged on stage at a theatre restaurant to dance the Can-can during a work night out and my “so called” colleagues taking photos as evidence; and yes I had to take my trousers off and put on a skirt!
What have you done that no one would guess you'd done? Played Santa Claus at my sons Playgroup Christmas Party, the most unlikely Santa Claus you’ll ever meet!