How would you sum up insurance brokers in three words?
Essential, professional, challenging.
How would you change the industry?
The industry is already evolving, but could do with further consolidation in the broking space.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
“You can’t lie to the bloke in the mirror!”
What’s the most important thing a broker can do to develop their business?
Listen, be disciplined, persevere and sell the value you bring.
If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?
That isn’t a job for a day, there is way too much to do.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry today?
Greater client demands against reducing income. The ability to demonstrate and sell the value the industry brings.
What has been the highlight of your career?
The opportunity to progress and the people I have met, colleagues, clients and Insurers, all over the world.
What’s your favoured style of coffee?
Long black with milk.
NRL, AFL, soccer or other?
AFL but being from Melbourne I am a typical sports junkie.
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
John F Kennedy – I have always had a fascination with him and the Kennedys. He would have some interest things to say about all of the experience he packed into a pretty short time.
Kevin Sheedy (as embarrassing as it is for a Carlton supporter to say) – it would be great to
hear his stories and he thinks outside the square, the box and at times the planet.
Gough Whitlam – he made some real changes and shaped a few things for the future of the country – not all good or all bad.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in insurance, I would be… a politician or a teacher.
Tony Barber is the deputy CEO of Willis Australasia.
