Descartes Underwriting, a specialist in corporate parametric re/insurance solutions for climate and emerging risks, has appointed Will Cripps as a Business Development Associate, further expanding its Australian operations.
Cripps joins the Sydney-based team, bringing specialist expertise in the agricultural sector.
In the past, he has gained extensive experience deploying IoT sensors across large-scale horticultural operations as a Field Technician with Phytech, before moving into crop insurance with Crop Risk Underwriting.
According to Lynn Roehrig, Head of Business Development Australia and New Zealand, Descartes Underwriting, this appointment reflects rising demand for more effective protection against climate and emerging risks.
Lynn emphasised, “Across Australia and New Zealand, many businesses operate in regions highly exposed to extreme weather and climate volatility, where traditional insurance capacity is increasingly constrained or cost-prohibitive.
“Recognising the significant economic and social impact of these protection gaps, we are focused on delivering practical, data-driven parametric solutions adapted to each of the clients’ needs and sector that offer transparency, speed of payout and certainty when it matters most.”
The firm established its Australian presence in 2021, led by Ben Qin, then Head of North Asia and Australia and now Head of Asia Pacific, with Lynn joining in 2022.
Lynn commented on the appointment, “By leveraging real-time data and advanced modelling, we’re able to deliver transparent, highly granular data that supports more responsive triggers and improved claims outcomes. Will brings firsthand insight into the challenges facing modern agribusinesses and further enhances Descartes’ ability to structure highly tailored parametric solutions across a broad range of industries and perils.”
