Why did you get into insurance?
I was miserable being a poor student, applied for a job as a trainee engineering underwriter at Irish National Insurance and was confident that the insurance industry would suit my skill set and temperament.
How would you sum up insurance brokers in three words?
My best friends.
How would you change the industry?
Work on reputation for reliability, consistency and trust among customers and make it more appealing for graduates and new job seekers.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Invest/lock away 10% net pay every month.
If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?
Fire the front bench, call a snap election, eliminate the carbon tax and invade New Zealand … somebody has to pay more tax!
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
General George C Patton - He was an amazing, controversial and totally authentic leader. I’d ask him would he really have rolled on from Berlin to Moscow in 1945; was his death caused by a car accident; and have him regale us with stories of his experiences.
Sir Bob Geldof - Like myself, he comes from Dublin and unlike me, he is one of the most opinionated, entertaining speakers in the world. No need to ask him anything … pick a topic and let him off.
Michelle Pfeiffer - I’m a long-time fan of this immensely, talented and understated actress. I haven’t seen her in ages so it would be good to catch up.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in insurance, I would be… My favourite answer to this question has to be: When Peter Crouch [professional soccer player] was asked what he would be if he wasn’t in football, he said: ‘A virgin!’ My answer: ‘A retired professional footballer’.
Noel Condon is the CEO of AIG Australia.
