Trent Mockford, an authorised representative of
Brookvale Insurance Brokers, shares how he started his career in insurance, and how brokers could thrive in the industry.
Why insurance?
My wife was pregnant with our first child and I needed a stable career that had opportunity for growth and development to support our new family. It seemed a better idea than going down the mines with my brother-in law.
How would you sum up insurance brokers in three words?
Knowledgeable, advisory, empathetic
How would you change the industry?
Promote this amazingly diverse industry to senior high school students that are unsure about their future.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Turn up on time and work hard.
What’s the most important thing a broker can do to develop their business?
Know your client, ask for opportunities, capitalise on them, and deliver what you promise.
What is the strangest thing you’ve ever arranged cover for?
Nothing strange yet.
If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?
Abolish payroll tax, reduce company tax, increase GST then have a massive party at Kirribilli House.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry today?
Insurers offshoring junior roles, which is achieving short-term costs savings that will in time lead to long-term skill shortages.
What has been the highlight of your career?
In 2011, Cyclone Yasi destroyed a client’s banana farm in Cairns QLD (which was their family’s major source of income).
I jumped on a plane, flew up from Sydney and stayed with the client on their property. I documented all the losses, obtained replacement quotes/repairs, and assisted with the assessor in obtaining a fast turnaround on settlements.
This allowed the family to honour their commitments to the bank, and in turn, kept their business alive during a really tough time.
Who in the business do you look up to and why?
Michael Olofinsky, our MD and licensee. Michael’s experience and wise words have been instrumental in building my own business within the Brookvale Group.
NRL, AFL, soccer or other?
Formula 1.
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Warren Buffet, Ricky Gervais, and Stephen Hawking, I’m sure after a few wines it would get interesting.
Related stories:
Australia’s Elite Brokers revealed
Five Minutes With…Craig Olofinsky, general manager of Brookvale Insurance Brokers
.jpg)
