Guild Insurance celebrated the launch of its New Zealand operations on Monday 16 March, with a cocktail function at the Wellesley Club Lounge. Ian Johnson, President of the Pharmacy Guild, presented a commemorative plaque to Brian Benger, Managing Director of Guild, to mark the occasion.

The Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand has named Guild as the endorsed provider of pharmacy insurance. Guild opened its first New Zealand office last month, co-located with the Pharmacy Guild at Pharmacy House in Wellington.

Annabel Young, CEO of the Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand, and a speaker at the event commented, "Guild's professionalism and their commitment to providing real service to members, influenced our decision to endorse their insurance services. We are confident that their arrival can benefit the pharmacy profession and Wellington for a long time to come."

Guild Insurance is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, and have earned a reputation as a leading insurer of allied health professionals in Australia. Mayor of Wellington Kerry Prendergast welcomed Guild Insurance's decision to pick Wellington as its New Zealand base.

She said: "It's a sign of Wellington's strength in tough times that a major company is investing, creating jobs and pursuing long term growth here. It's a positive sign for Wellington's future." David Brown, General Manager, Guild Insurance, said: "Our Wellington office will focus on laying the foundations for Guild here, through excellent service provision and through demonstration of our considerable experience in pharmacy insurance.

From this base, we will look to pursue long term strategic growth in New Zealand."