ABOUT US

Our People

Our PeopleThe Prevail Team

At Prevail, our team combines extensive knowledge with practical problem-solving and a customer-first mindset, making insurance straightforward and reliable for brokers and customers across Australia. We are approachable, responsive and easy to work with, valuing clear communication and strong relationships. By focusing on innovation, efficiency and genuine care, we deliver tailored insurance solutions and quality service that help protect what matters most with confidence.

Our People

Executive Team

David McMurdo

CEO

David McMurdo is the CEO of Prevail Insurance, a new underwriting agency (MGA) created from the unification of multiple proven agencies and built to preserve what works while driving bold progress. Most recently, as Chief Underwriting Officer at Steadfast Underwriting Agencies, he led the integration of niche consumer and small-business portfolios into a segment-led business model, an approach that delivered measurable gains for customers and insurer partners while strengthening organisational performance. With over 20 years of insurance experience, David began his career in broking before moving into underwriting with Zurich and Allianz in London, where he gained a valuable international perspective. He later held a range of senior leadership roles at AIG across Australia and New Zealand, overseeing profit and growth responsibilities, as well as distribution across consumer, SME, and specialty portfolios. Known for his progressive and curious mindset, David applies technology, data and product innovation in thoughtful ways to deliver solutions that are practical, trusted and genuinely valuable to end customers. He holds an Executive MBA from RMIT.

Adrian Cheung

Chief Data & Technical Officer

Adrian Cheung is Chief Actuary at Prevail and Steadfast Underwriting Agencies, where he has worked since November 2021. He brings over 20 years of actuarial leadership across Australia and Asia, including senior roles at AIG, DirectAsia Insurance, AXA Hong Kong and Suncorp. With seven years leading teams in Hong Kong and over a decade in Australia, Adrian is known for applying strategic foresight to complex actuarial challenges. Outside of work, he’s a dedicated father of three and a keen sports enthusiast, regularly running, swimming and playing tennis. A lifelong Liverpool fan, Adrian also enjoys photography, travel and the world of Tolkien.

Our People

Leadership Team

Jon Burrard

National Product Lead – Motor Vehicle / Motorcycle

Jon Burrard is National Product Leader for Motor at Prevail with more than two decades of insurance experience across broking and underwriting. Originally from the UK, Jon spent ten years as a broker before moving to Australia in 2010. He joined the business in 2015 as a motor underwriter and stepped into a leadership role in 2022.

Jon leads a team of knowledgeable, passionate underwriters who are specialists in prestige motor, classic vehicles and motorcycle insurance. He’s focused on delivering innovative insurance solutions, exceptional service and continuous improvement across product, tech and operations. While not a self-described car nut, Jon has built deep product knowledge over the years. Outside of work, he’s a skilled pool player with international titles to his name and now spends most of his time with family.

Hayley Blanchard

National Product Lead - Home

Hayley Blanchard is a strategic and forward-thinking professional with a proven track record of delivering customer-focused solutions and driving product excellence. She brings a collaborative leadership style and a deep understanding of the High-Net-Worth household market to shape and execute initiatives that align with business goals and elevate team performance.

Peter Morsley

National Product Lead - Farm

With over 18 years of experience in the insurance industry, he is passionate about delivering tailored underwriting solutions that meet the evolving needs of brokers and clients. He leads the development of the farm product with a strong focus on clarity, responsiveness, and service excellence. Known for his collaborative approach, Peter works closely with partners and stakeholders to address challenges, ensuring outcomes that support long-term customer value and trust.

Our People

Operations Team

Kristjan Drake

Change Enablement Consultant

Kristjan Drake is Strategic Enablement Consultant at Prevail, supporting the transformation of underwriting operations across Australia and the Philippines. He played a key role in establishing the Consumer Lines Shared Services team for Steadfast Underwriting Agencies Personal Lines, helping streamline processes and build scalable capability across the network. Kristjan now works closely with the Prevail Support Team, guiding operational uplift and enabling consistent, high-quality service delivery across the brand. With over 26 years in banking, including senior leadership roles at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in Sydney, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai, Kristjan brings deep expertise in corporate treasury, client strategy and business transformation.

He is known for his cross-cultural leadership and ability to navigate complex challenges, having led high-performing teams across Asia and consistently delivered award-winning client solutions. Kristjan holds a Bachelor of Business from UTS, is Six Sigma certified, and speaks conversational Mandarin. Outside of work, he enjoys sailing, soccer, photography and long walks with his dog around Sydney Harbour.

Arnold Villegas

Product Manager

Arnold has been with Steadfast since 2021, leading various projects to modernise the technology landscape of our underwriting businesses, their distribution channels and support functions. With a background in underwriting, product, business analysis and holding a Masters Degree in Risk Management, Arnold applies systematic and collaborative approaches to problem-solving and decision-making. Outside of work, Arnold can be found problem-solving on Sydney's golf courses, spending quality time with his pet rabbit and going down Youtube rabbit-holes.

Asma Safdar

Governance and Compliance Specialist

Asma is the Governance and Compliance Specialist who joined the company in February 2025. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in Risk, Compliance and Assurance across various industries.

Our People

Technical Team

Tom Hall

Senior Technical Underwriter – Motor Vehicle / Motorcycle

Tom is Senior Technical Underwriter at Prevail Motor, where for over seven years he has specialised in underwriting complex risks and high-value vehicles, supporting pricing reviews, and mentoring the underwriting team. Prior to joining Dawes in 2015, Tom spent five years at Shannons and held earlier roles in automotive journalism and financial services with Commonwealth Bank and Colonial. A lifelong car enthusiast and former drift racer, Tom brings deep technical expertise and passion to his work, alongside active involvement in competitive sailing and classic car restoration.

Claire Niewiarowski

Senior Technical Underwriter - Home

Claire Niewiarowski is the Senior Technical Underwriter for Prevail Home, having joined in February 2022 after relocating from the UK. She serves as the team's referral point and leads the underwriting culture, ensuring consistency and quality across the portfolio. Outside of work, she focuses on family life with two young sons and enjoys art, photography, travel, cooking, and kdrama.

Michael Thompson

Senior Production Underwriter - Farm

Michael Thompson is Senior Underwriter at Prevail Farm, where he has worked since 2017, bringing over two decades of experience across commercial, domestic and rural insurance. Previously, he held senior underwriting roles at Calibre Commercial Insurance and CGU Insurance, where he worked across farm, crop, and direct-to-consumer portfolios. Michael's deep connection to rural communities stems from his family's farming background in the NSW Riverina. Outside of work, he enjoys all sports, tennis, caravaning, fishing, and spending time with his wife, three children, and their pets. A former junior fencing representative for Victoria, he also once ran a chain of ice-cream shops.