Why did you get into insurance?
I was a recent graduate living in Wellington and needed a regular income. NMLA, now
AXA I believe, were recruiting graduates. I applied, was offered a good position and accepted.
How would you sum up insurance brokers in three words?
Trusted Business Partners.
How would you change the industry?
Encourage careers advisors to strongly promote insurance broking as a worthwhile professional career, not only with graduates but also with school leavers. As an industry we need to be discussing insurance broking with high schools and universities to encourage qualified and interested youth into the business.
What’s the most important thing a broker can do to develop their business?
Befriend your clients and keep technologically proficient.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Never assume anything and learn to be a good listener.
If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?
Introduce legislation to remove Fire Service Levies as a cost to insurance buyers.
What has been the highlight of your career?
The many interesting people I have met, being clients, colleagues and insurers.
What’s your favoured style of coffee?
Strong, black plunger Italian coffee.
Union, league, soccer or other?
Union of course, is there really any other?!
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
For interesting conversation, David Lange, Winston Churchill and Neil Armstrong.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in insurance, I would be…
A motor mechanic. I’ve always loved V8 engines.
