Shelly Hymas is a client director at Aon Risk Solutions
How would you sum up insurance brokers in three words?
Professional, advocate, expert.
How would you change the industry?
I would like to see more women holding senior roles and for more organisations to join the likes of Aon in developing their own diversity and inclusion networks. Aon’s is called WIN. It is a think tank on diversity issues for our diversity taskforce led by our executive team. It would be great to see our industry finally start to reflect our client base.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Treat people how you would like to be treated yourself, this has always been very relevant both personally and professionally.
What’s the most important thing a broker can do to develop their business?
Ensure they have a diverse workforce. Diversity of thought and ideas will ensure that you innovate and stay relevant to your clients in an ever changing environment.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry today?
A real shortage of talent and knowledge sharing. With our baby boomers retiring they are leaving the industry with a wealth of knowledge, which in turn is creating a real gap in experience.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever arranged cover for?
A fleet of Tuk Tuk’s being used in London many years ago.
What has been the highlight of your career?
Winning the WA Young Professional Insurance Broker of the Year 2012.
What’s your favoured style of coffee?
I don’t do coffee, hot chocolate all the way.
NRL, AFL, soccer or other?
Football as in the English version – Tottenham Hotspurs.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in insurance, I would be…an interior designer, I love renovating, redesigning and decorating homes.
