James Wallace, director of Wallace Risk Solutions, talks about getting his Australian Financial Services Licence, fighter jets and the immortal Iggy Pop.
How would you sum up insurance brokers in three words?
Classy, savvy, sexy.
How would you change the industry?
Reduce red tape and improve perception of the industry.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t listen to the naysayers.
What’s the most important thing a broker can do to develop their business?
Always return that call, give updates even if there is no change, do what you said you would do.
If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?
Get a ride in a fighter jet and reduce the red tape.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry today?
Perception that cheap online insurance is the same or better than what a broker can provide.
What has been the highlight of your career?
Getting my AFSL [Australian Financial Services Licence] and seeing my business grow.
NRL, AFL, soccer or other?
AFL, go the Hawks! I also follow Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Rebels.
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Iggy Pop - how did you survive all that abuse to your body and mind?
Neil Armstrong - I was fascinated by space when I was younger and would love to hear all about it.
Heston Blumenthal - someone has to cook.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in insurance, I would be… doing something I hate.
