The Team
Insurtech Australia is led by a highly focused and enthusiastic team who strive to foster and grow the Insurtech Australia ecosystems
Board of Directors
James Orchard
Chairperson and Director, Insurtech Australia
Chief Executive Officer, QBE Ventures
Bio
James Orchard is the CEO of QBE Ventures, the venture investment and development arm of QBE.
James is passionate about reinventing business models and improving customer experiences. He has over ten years of experience in the insurance industry, specialising in corporate venturing, strategy and M&A. Prior to his current role at QBE, James was the Executive General Manager, Innovation at IAG and has worked for Wesfarmers, Leighton Holdings and SISU Capital. He holds a Bachelor of Economics (BEc) from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment (GDipAppFinInv) from the Securities Institute of Australia.
Outside of work, he enjoys a good coffee and spending time together with his wife, Jen, and their two small children.
Sid Baidwan
Director, Insurtech Australia
EGM, Strategy & Innovation, Suncorp
Bio
Sid Baidwan is a Financial Services senior executive with 20 years’ experience across Australia, Asia, UK and US. He is presently the Executive General Manager (EGM), Strategy and Innovation at Suncorp Group, and is leading Suncorp’s AI transformation. Prior experience as MD, HSBC, Consumer Banking, included building a new Digital bank, managing a Financial Crime change program, and leading the turnaround of a loss-making business (1,000+ staff). His commercial skills are grounded in Strategy at McKinsey and Ops & Technology at Citi.
Tetiana George
Director, Insurtech Australia
CEO & Founder, Curium
Bio
Tetiana has been working in insurance for over 15 years. As part of Boston Consulting Group and Oliver Wyman she has consulted large global insurers, and headed up Claims & Operations for Australian insurtech Blue Zebra. She has worked on designing operating models, new products to distribution and technology in more than 20 countries across Europe, Asia and the Pacific. She currently runs an insurtech specialising in compliance and claims technology (Software as a Service) for insurers, underwriting agencies and brokers.
Tetiana speaks six languages, loves to travel and in her free time paints abstracts and portraits. She runs an online art gallery and dreams of winning the Archibald prize one day.
Peter Williams
Director, Insurtech Australia
Founder & CEO, Red Planet Software
Bio
Peter’s journey spans decades and has encompassed global markets including Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Asia, Canada, USA, and the United Kingdom. This extensive knowledge and expertise guided him to establish Red Planet Software in 2002. As an active member of Insurtech Australia, he collaborates with leading funding providers, tirelessly pursuing payment solutions and secure gateways that facilitate upfront payments and foster flexible financial options. Beyond this sphere, his passions take flight. He finds joy in flying light aircraft and serves on the committee of the Outback Air Race—an inspiring tri-annual event that raises vital funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.