Murray Bruce, managing director of Bruce Insurance, talks about finding cover for a Somalian bank, why he would give the prime minister a pay rise, and driving trucks in the desert.
Why insurance?
It was a better career opportunity than driving trucks for an oil exploration company.
How would you sum up insurance brokers in three words?
Under-valued relationship jugglers.
If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?
Give the PM a massive pay rise so that we attract better PM’s.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry today?
There are no challenges just opportunities.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever arranged cover for?
I was asked to provide insurance quotes for a company that had funding from the World Bank to rebuild infrastructure in Somalia. As unlikely as it was that I would be able to get any interest, I still had to go through the motions and get laughed at by every insurer in town.
What has been the highlight of your career?
Buying the insurance broking business I had worked in for 13 years.
What’s your favoured style of coffee?
Soy Flat White occasionally with an extra shot!
NRL, AFL, soccer or other?
AFL – still hoping to see the saints win a flag before I die.
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Nelson Mandela (no explanation needed), Warren Buffett (investment advice) Jennifer Hawkins (intellect…)
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in insurance, I would be…driving trucks in the desert!
