Key People
Our team have a wealth of experience within the insurance and loss adjustment industry. We’re committed to developing our services and finding the solutions to manage claims as efficiently as possible.
James Townsend
Originally from the United Kingdom, James has some 20 years’ experience in loss adjusting, with significant experience in both domestic and commercial claims management.
James's areas of expertise include fire, flood, structural and subsidence losses, together with disaster response, and claims management relating to earthquake damage.
James has been committed to, and passionate about ensuring innovation and excellence in the claims management services Mainland Claims provides to the ever changing Insurance industry. James is a member of ANZIIF, IBANZ and Institute of Directors.
In addition to his role as Managing Director, James also oversees the New Zealand wide loss adjusting team.
Stephanie Townsend
Stephanie has a wealth of experience in personnel management, across a wide range of organisations and disciplines. Her leadership and management role within Mainland Claims draws on her experience from working as a senior manager in the United Kingdom.
With a passion for people, talent and an eye for building high performing teams, Stephanie recruited Mainland Claims earthquake response team of over two hundred contractors during the peak of the Christchurch earthquake response.
Stephanie leads the Human Resources functions for the business, maintains Mainlands large contractor data base and is responsible for training and development across the business.
Working alongside James, Stephanie is actively involved in Business Development and thrives on supporting the business in its continued growth and success.
Luke Bardsley
Luke began his loss adjusting career as a 19-year-old and initially operated out of his hometown in Palmerston North, here he gained experience in claims management and desktop assessments. Following his passion and taking the next loss adjusting role that came available, Luke then moved to Christchurch following the earthquakes and after toiling through a difficult claim landscape, gained significant experience and finally ended up in Wellington where he has been based for the past 8 years working for some of New Zealand’s most prominent loss adjusters.
Luke has responded to both local and international catastrophe events, and specialises in Domestic and Commercial Material Damage, and also has expertise in contract works (CAR) and liability claims. Luke is part of our business development team and is focused on new opportunities and new ways to deliver better service to our clients.
Luke is conscientious and has reverence for the art of loss adjusting, strong communication and devising the best settlement outcome for all parties is his focus. Luke is a Chartered Loss Adjuster ANZIIF and Associate member of the Australasian Institute of Chartered Loss Adjusters.
Jane Withers
Jane first joined Mainland Claims in 2011 as part of our earthquake response team and subsequently went on to work for one of New Zealand’s leading Insurance Brokers.
Jane has substantial experience in corporate and technical claims, property damage – large loss, catastrophe claims, public and professional liability claims. Jane prides herself not only on her technical ability but more importantly on her ability to ensure the delivery of excellent Claims management and negotiation.
Jane is very relationship focused and plays an integral part in ensuring all claims are managed efficiently and effectively with a high level of customer satisfaction. We are delighted to have Jane back as part of the team!
Seanna Donaldson
Bachelor of Business Degree (BBUS) - Accounting / Marketing Management – 2000
National Certificate of Business Studies (NCB) – 1990
Seanna has a Bachelor of Business Degree, with strong financial acumen, and substantial experience working with a wide variety of Insurer & Broker businesses throughout NZ, as well as the UK.
Following the Christchurch Earthquake’, Seanna was involved Adjusting a large number of complex Business Interruption losses for international adjusting companies.
Art Ryumin
Art has 12 years in the construction industry, joining the Canterbury Recovery assessment team at a leading PMO firm shortly after completing National Diplomas for Quantity Surveying and Construction Management.
Art’ involvement during the Canterbury EQs ranged between Project Management working for PMO’s and a leading Insurer, as well as Quantity Surveyor duties. Art went on to gain experience as a full time QS undertaking duties as a contracted QS for a Christchurch building contractor and thereafter joined a reputable Civils contractor as their Senior QS gaining first-hand knowledge base in the Civil industry.
Art has a passion for emerging technology specifically Drone technology and is also a Drone Operator specialising in high access assessments, large land mass mapping and LiDAR scanning.
Art has also managed a hazardous material removalist company that specialises in Asbestos and Mould remediation and land contamination remediation.
The combined experiences provide a strong knowledge base of land development including Contaminations, Catastrophe Management, Quantity Surveying and Project Management skills both from a contractors and PMO/Insurer role and perspective.
Andrew Gilmore
Andrew started his working life in the construction industry as a Trade Qualified Builder. After completing several years on the tools in New Zealand he moved to Australia where he worked as an Assessor and construction supervisor on Insurer direct claims.
On his return to New Zealand Andrew joined the Christchurch Earthquake response, spending several years working for a leading Insurer on both the Canterbury and Kaikoura events.
Andrew has subsequently continued to develop his Insurance industry knowledge in the Business-as-usual setting and in line with his construction expertise is an asset in all areas of claims management – Andrew is currently completing Building Surveyor qualifications.