Heath Amber, chairman of the Underwriting Agencies Council, talks about the witty advice his pioneering late grandfather in-law gave him, turning around a "challenged" business, and Lady Diana.
Why insurance?
[I had a] realisation at a young age that the insurance industry is an amazing diversified business with outstanding people within it. An industry that protects the foundations of our future.
How would you sum up insurance brokers in three words?
Professional, community and necessary.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
I have had plenty of great advice over the years, however a favourite that resonated by my late grandfather (in-law), a well-known Australian pioneer, innovator and business man. He said: “Don’t get on the wrong train at the wrong time”. The advice was given with many theatrical and melodramatic pauses. I thought he was referring to critical business decision and successes, however he was referring to his first wife and choice in women.
What’s the most important thing a broker can do to develop their business?
To be lasered, compelling and think big.
If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?
There is so much one could do…. However one example: review tiers of governing bodies: federal, state and local.
What has been the highlight of your career?
Being handed a small “challenged” business and successfully building that business into a sophisticated and leading industry player.
What’s your favoured style of coffee?
Cappuccino.
NRL, AFL, soccer or other?
AFL.
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Sir Winston Churchill for his love of words, whisky and cigars, Sir Sydney Kidman – for his determination and success during a harsh era, and Lady Diana – an enigma of our time.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in insurance, I would be... critiquing food, channelling Matt Preston both in fashion and physical size.
