Why did you get into insurance?
Like most, I fell into insurance. Insurance broking to be precise and starting at
Sedgwick on their graduate training programme back in 1998. I had a full day of interviews in London, which at the time for me living in rural England was a big deal. I liked the people I met and the job on offer (Global Broking!), especially idea of long lunches, which were still very common at the time! Not long after joining
Sedgwick and after backpacking the summer around Europe I returned for
Sedgwick to merge with
Marsh.
How would you sum up insurance brokers in three words?
Essential; Integral; and Accountable
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever arranged cover for?
Data Protection / Cyber Insurance for a Toupee Shop in Japan (some of their clientele being Japanese Celebrities and Royalty!) – We underwrote / insured a number of them when I was responsible for APAC PI at
AIG
How would you change the industry?
I still think there is more the insurance sector could be doing to embrace technology (brokers and insurers). I also still think there is more the Insurance Sector could be doing to be transparent, especially around remuneration
What’s the most important thing a broker can do to develop their business?
Education around developing and new risk exposures is the key. Take Cyber Insurance / Health and Safety – keeping abreast of new exposures and solutions
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
“The World is your Oyster” – a wise family friend once told me and was valuable advice when I made major career decisions, such as:
- Working in various locations around the world (UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York and of course New Zealand!);
- Starting up Delta Insurance (with Craig Kirk);
If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?
Abolish Kim Dotcom
What has been the highlight of your career?
I have been very fortunate to live in five different locations during my career (UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York and New Zealand) and visit more than 35 countries on business. As such, I have met some fantastic and interesting people and made many friends around the globe through and outside of work, but travelled as a consequence of my career.
What’s your favoured style of coffee?
Large trim flat white with one sugar.
Union, league, soccer or other?
Soccer – I am a diehard Liverpool Football Club fan (being born in Liverpool, England)
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Sir Roger Moore – he’s my hero
Darth Vader – another hero. I just loved what he did with the Death Star
Kim Dot Com – to tell him, in a very Donald Trump style, he’s abolished!
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in insurance, I would be…
Fantasy World – I would be working for MI6 (see Roger Moore above)
Real World – I would have been a Policeman. I actually applied for to the Metropolitan Police in London on their Graduate Scheme.
