Our Sydney Team
Our people are central to our approach. We empower local underwriters and claims professionals to make decisions, talk through complex risks, and build long-term relationships based on trust and expertise. Meet your BIA team.
Tony Wheatley
Chief Executive Officer
Tony Wheatley has over 35 years’ experience in underwriting, claims, reinsurance and portfolio management. His expertise lies largely in the PI, D&O and medical malpractice classes having worked his way through various underwriting positions before moving into management roles.
Joining W.R.Berkley in July of 2012, his background includes a broad expertise in managing insurance companies, managing general agents and insurance and reinsurance portfolios.
Tony and the management team at Berkley Insurance Australia are committed to ensuring we continue to provide the best possible products and services to our brokers through local underwriters who are empowered to make decisions with an expectation that service, in the broadest sense, is at the core of what we do.
Trevor Williamson
State Manager - NSW/ACT
Trevor has a Bachelor of Business Studies and 25 years’ experience in General Insurance over both claims and underwriting. Specialising in Public and Products Liability underwriting, Trevor has worked in both the SME and Corporate markets with global placement experience.
Currently Trevor is the State Manager of the NSW and ACT open market team at Berkley Insurance Australia. His unique leadership skills guide our expert underwriters, skilled in both Financial Lines and Liability.
Personally Trevor enjoys spending time with his family and travelling around South East Asia. Trevor is an avid sportsman enjoying cycling, running, football and golf.
Paul Marques
Senior Underwriter - Financial Lines
Paul has been in the insurance industry for just about 20 years covering most facets of financial lines products including professional indemnity, directors & officers, medical malpractice and Information technology.
Paul has also enjoyed the opportunity to work in two different states with very different market conditions. Paul is an approachable underwriter who appreciates all opportunities provided by his intermediaries and genuinely wants to find a solution to their client's insurance needs. Outside of work, Paul loves time with his family, an avid basketball fan, sneaker collector, golf enthusiast and enjoys a smoked BBQ.
Damien Stephen
National Head of IT Liability
With 25+ years in the insurance industry and more than 15 years specialising in IT Liability, Damien has built a reputation for cutting through complexity and helping clients navigate tech risks with confidence. He has recently broadened his experience to include General Liability underwriting, adding further depth to his skill set.
No stranger to being in front of an audience, Damien regularly delivers training both in person and via webinars making even the most technical concepts feel accessible. Never afraid to get his hands dirty with technology, he has built and managed computers over the years in both personal and corporate environments. There are also quiet whispers that, back in the day, he may have set up a bit of network gaming in the office but we’ll keep that between us.
Chris Milton
Senior Underwriter Financial Lines
With over 20 years of experience in financial lines underwriting, Chris Milton is a Senior Underwriter who specialises across a broad spectrum of financial lines products. He brings extensive market knowledge and disciplined risk assessment to SME, mid-market, and corporate portfolios, coupled with a strong commitment to customer service.
Outside of work, Chris is a dedicated family man, an avid basketball player, and a golf enthusiast.
Mathew Konopka
Senior Underwriter General Liability
Mathew Konopka is a Senior Underwriter, General Liability at Berkley Insurance Australia, based in Sydney. With over 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, he began his career in the SME space and progressed through multi-line and corporate roles before joining Berkley in 2018. Mathew is known for his collaborative spirit, strong problem-solving skills, and commitment to delivering reliable insurance solutions. Outside of work, he enjoys a good pun and a strong cup of coffee.
Melissa Lacy
Underwriter
Melissa Lacy is an experienced Underwriter with over 20 years in the insurance industry. Her career began when she was an expat in Edinburgh, where she first entered the world of insurance. After returning to Melbourne, Melissa worked as an Insurance Broker for around six years, building her expertise in client relations and risk solutions. She later relocated to Sydney, where she transitioned into Underwriting, focusing on the Professional Indemnity segment. A Melbourne native, Melissa is a passionate AFL follower and remains dedicated to her personal fitness, whether through playing sports or engaging in regular exercise.
Ben Holl
Assistant Underwriter
Ben quickly rose from Business Support Officer to Assistant Underwriter in just one year with BIA. His enthusiasm for connecting with others is as strong as his interest in learning the nuances of underwriting. Although new to the insurance industry, he has shown remarkable potential and adaptability.
Outside of work, Ben enjoys sports and social outings with friends, bringing the same energy and team spirit to his professional role. He’s excited to dive deeper into his underwriting career and be a valuable team player.
Matt Armstrong
Financial Lines Underwriter
Previously Matt worked in a family business for a transport related service which allowed a better understanding of working with different stakeholders.
With experience across most insurance lines during his time as a broker, financial lines has been a particular area of focus, giving him firsthand exposure to multiple market cycles.
Being naturally curious, Matt takes a holistic approach to underwriting that aligns with BIA’s values and are committed to working closely with intermediaries to identify the right insurance solutions for their clients.
Outside work he enjoys BBQ of the Low and Slow variety, sports of most variety and spending time with his kids.
Matt looks forward to bringing his experiences, the same energy and team spirit to his professional role.
Reece Jones
Liability Underwriter
With a year of experience in the insurance industry, Reece is a passionate and driven professional eager to make a significant impact. His dedication to building solid foundations with other professionals within the industry is as strong as his passion for gaining a deep understanding of the intricacies of underwriting. Reece is committed to delivering exceptional service and building strong, lasting relationships with clients.
Outside of work, Reece channels his competitive spirit into CrossFit, where he actively participates in competitions throughout the season. His passion for competitive CrossFit not only keeps him continually searching for the next challenge but also enhances Reece’s focus, discipline, and resilience—qualities that he brings to his professional life every day.
Kelly McGinnis
Assistant Underwriter
Kelly McGinnis is an Assistant Underwriter at Berkley Insurance Australia, specialising in Financial Lines with prior experience across life and marine cargo insurance.
Kelly joined Berkley in July of 2024, and her international career has included roles in both the Australian and U.S. markets, where she developed expertise in underwriting operations, client service, and portfolio support. She is recognised for her attention to detail, proactive communication, and ability to provide seamless service to brokers and clients alike.
Kelly studied Psychology at St Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. Beyond her professional life, Kelly enjoys hiking along the coastal trails of New South Wales, exploring museums and libraries, and her love of baking and cooking means she is often experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. She has a passion for photography, often capturing candid portraits and landscapes during her travels. A lifelong learner, Kelly also dedicates time to studying further into behavioural psychology and history.
Rachel Whiddett
Assistant Underwriter
Rachel Whiddett is a highly motivated and detail-oriented Assistant Underwriter who joined Berkley in 2026 with over 2 years’ insurance experience.
She holds a degree in Psychology, which has sharpened her analytical thinking and given her a strong instinct for reading people and situations both valuable when assessing risks and managing broker relationships.
Outside of work, Rachel loves a challenge whether that’s learning a new skill like riding motorbikes, creating her own outfits by teaching herself how to sew or holding her own at pub trivia. She also loves discovering new restaurants with friends and going for coastal walks with her dog Moose.
Chloe Strawn-Austin
Assistant Underwriter & Acting Marketing Co-ordinator
Chloe joined Berkley in August 2019, supporting the NSW team & helping keep operations running smoothly. Her role focuses on organisation & ensuring the team has what they need to succeed.
When she’s not at work, Chloe’s passion for travel takes centre stage. She loves exploring new destinations, immersing herself in different cultures & finding inspiration in the places she visits. Alongside her adventures, Chloe enjoys crafting & creating - turning her travel experiences into creative projects that reflect her love for discovery.
