When many expats arrive in a new country, it is a chance for a new start.
Martin Blake, global head of fintech in insurance for
KPMG and Australian leader for the insurance sector, was no different.
“I came to Australia in 1989 working with CitiBank and spent a couple of years there but found that I really wanted to reinvent myself,” Blake told
Insurance Business.
Blake re-skilled as a strategy consultant and began working with the insurance industry in the early 1990s, advising insurance businesses throughout the Asia Pacific region on strategy and improving business processes.
Since then, Blake has developed into a global leader in the insurtech space. However, one key element of the industry remains particularly appealing to him.
“Insurers have a fundamental role to play when bad things happen to people,” Blake said.
“They are a safety net to enable them to get over the speed bumps in life, so there is sort of a higher purpose in insurance and that is one of the things that really appealed to me.”
Outside of work, Blake is a keen sailor and races from the Middle Harbour Yacht Club in Sydney with friends, and has taken part in one of the most famous races in the world.
“I’ve done a couple of Sydney to Hobarts on Brindabella,” Blake revealed.
“I went last year and unfortunately we didn’t get there, but I’m hoping to achieve that goal at some point. I’m a very passionate sailor and that is really why I originally moved to Australia.”
With 21 years at KPMG, Blake looks back fondly on his impact on the industry.
“I think I’ve been a catalyst for change in terms encouraging insurers to transform their businesses and become more customer centric.”
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