Rebuilding Christchurch


Overview
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Over 90% of claims from the Christchurch quakes have been settled, but that still leaves a significant number of losses unresolved.

It is over five years since the first serious earthquake occurred in Christchurch, New Zealand, and there have been nearly 14,000 aftershocks. The 6.3M quake on 22 February 2011 killed 185 people, destroyed much of the inner city and rendered several suburbs permanently uninhabitable. Cunningham Lindsey has been involved in approximately 30,000 claims and has surveyed in excess of 60,000 damaged properties.


  • The Challenge:

    Before the earthquakes the Cunningham Lindsey New Zealand company had 185 staff. We lost both Christchurch offices during the earthquakes, but thankfully none of our staff or their families were seriously injured.

  • The Solution:

    At the height of the earthquake response, our numbers swelled to over 550, and many of the additional adjusters came from Cunningham Lindsey in Australia, the UK, South Africa, Canada, Spain and the US. In normal times the New Zealand office has five chartered accountants. At one stage after the earthquakes we had 56 accountants on board to handle nearly 6,000 earthquake business interruption claims, dealing with customers under great stress, many with businesses and homes in ruins.

Cunningham Lindsey South Africa announces changes in leadership

Cunningham Lindsey South Africa today announced the retirement of Iain Walsh as CEO of the business. Iain has been with the company for 21 years, the last 8 as the CEO.

Commenting on his decision Iain said “I have thoroughly enjoyed the last 21 years of my association with Cunningham Lindsey. I wish my colleagues well as they take over the leadership of the Company. I am confident that they will continue to advance the business.

The company announced the appointment of Ken Maclean as Country Manager. Ken will be supported by a new Leadership Team.

Ken said “I want to thank Iain for his assistance and support over the years. I am inheriting a strong company and look forward to working with the Leadership Team to continue to grow and develop the business.”

Regional CEO, Phil McNeilage commented “I am sorry that Iain has decided to leave the Cunningham Lindsey fold but fully respect Iain’s decison to make a lifestyle change. I am, of course, delighted that Ken has stepped into the breach and I am looking forward to working with Ken and his team as they lead the next phase of the Company’s development.”