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NSW/ACT Finalist
the time to truly understand clients, their businesses, and how they operate allows us to provide tailored advice and solutions that genuinely meet their needs. Effective communication is also crucial, much of the language used in the insurance industry can be complex and overwhelming for those outside of it, so I make it a priority to simplify and clearly explain policies, terms, and coverage. By translating industry jargon into clear, understandable information, I ensure my clients feel informed and confident in the decisions they make. Ultimately, being approachable, dependable, and genuinely invested in client outcomes are the qualities that turn a good broker into a truly trusted advisor. What does becoming a finalist of the 2025 Young Broker of the Year mean to you? I’m incredibly proud to have been nominated for this award. Being named a finalist for the 2025 Young Broker of the Year is an achievement I’ve long aspired to in my career. This industry is filled with many talented and dedicated professionals, so to be recognised alongside them is truly an honour. It reflects the hard work, passion, and commitment I’ve put into delivering high- quality service to clients and continuously developing as a broker. Beyond personal recognition, this moment represents an opportunity to inspire other young professionals to explore the rewarding path insurance broking can offer. I’m passionate about encouraging the next generation to enter this dynamic industry and contribute to the high standards of client service we strive for. This award motivates me even more to grow, lead, and give back to the profession that has given me so much. "Ultimately, being approachable, dependable, and genuinely invested in client outcomes are the qualities that turn a good broker into a truly trusted advisor.”
DEREK TURNER, AON
How did you get started in the insurance broking profession? I fell into the profession somewhat by chance after a suggestion from a family friend who was a broker. Straight away, I saw my skills were well suited for the role, but it wasn’t until my second year that I recognised a dynamic and ever-evolving world of risk and service that not only challenged my intellectual curiosity but also provided the flexibility to shape my career in a meaningful way. I’ve always been driven by a strong duty to serve others and a belief that careers should be built with longevity and purpose rather than changed at the first sign of difficulty. This mindset led me to foster a deep passion for professional development and personal growth. This gave me the ability to shape my career around this passion for service, mentoring and growth, and has motivated me to maintain a long and meaningful career in insurance. What is the most important lesson you have learnt in your career so far? I don’t believe there’s one golden lesson because they all work together. Firstly, find the right tools to manage pressure, expectations and burnout. Everyone has a different balance between pressures and expectations; you need to find strategies on how to persevere through hard situations in a way that gives you sustainable longevity, without diminishing your impact. Secondly, don’t jump straight to solution mode. It's great to solve a problem but take the time to explore your client's risk profile with them. Find the most appropriate solution to their entire operation and understand where the gaps can be managed. Finally, show your value. The profession is built on connections and the time sacrificed with others can develop long-lasting relationships. Combine that with delivered results and you turn into a trusted, reliable source and connection that people want to work with.
What are some of the attributes essential to be a good broker? Our clients expect professional advice and service. To deliver that we need a strong sense of duty to our clients and our results. That comes in many forms. Being responsive to their concerns, whether simple or complex, and acknowledging their contact with you immediately puts them at ease and fills them with confidence that they are being tended to. Problem-solving skills show conviction in your work. It's fantastic to be responsive but you need tenacity and pride in delivering appropriate solutions, showing the leg work, so they are confident with the result. Finally, I believe you need patience and a passion to educate. Insurance is not everyone’s go-to for relaxation reading and you need to invest the time to educate your clients on what they don’t know. “Our clients expect professional advice and service. To deliver that we need a strong sense of duty to our clients and our results.” What does becoming a finalist of the 2025 Young Broker of the Year mean to you? It’s not just me; it’s such deserving recognition for my team as well. I’m fortunate enough to travel across the country, educating the NFP sector and creating connections in the insurance profession and community sector. That isn’t possible without the support from my team, and I’d be so proud to win this for them because, in a way, it validates the way we are servicing our clients and communities. I shouldn’t deserve to be a finalist if I wasn’t already doing the right work. I hope that I can continue to grow and develop personally and continue to mentor young brokers so they too can find growth and longevity in insurance and meaningful impact in their communities.
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