SPOTLIGHT / Meet the state finalists of the 2025 Broker of the Year Awards
SA/NT Finalist
What does becoming a finalist of the 2025 Broker of the Year mean to you? I’m equally humbled and proud to be nominated. We don’t do the work for accolades but there’s no denying it’s nice to be recognised. It has given me cause to step back and look not only at what I do but at what I can do more. It has driven me to make myself available for more formal mentoring roles. I will use this nomination to elevate my voice in order to be a force for good within the industry. There are so many good news stories within insurance broking. However, it can be hard to get beyond the ‘it bleeds, it leads’ mentality of the media. We need advocates within the industry who can point to the good work we are doing, managing risks and finding creative solutions to insurance problems. I am determined to be one of those advocates. “The next generation of brokers will be driven by values, so we need to be clear now about what it is that we stand for and what drives us as an industry. We need to become a career of choice.”
do see changing is the ‘way’ in which we deliver and transact business within the digital realm. I believe clients will rely on us more than ever due to the constantly changing landscapes, with emerging risks that we are facing in the world environment. Fundamentally, as brokers, we need to continuously adapt to the current times whilst maintaining the core principles and never lose sight of the fact we are a relational industry, not purely a transactional one. “The ‘why’ we do what we do will remain. However, what I do see changing is the ‘way’ in which we deliver and transact business within the digital realm.” What inspires you the most about the insurance broking profession? I love this industry because I truly believe it is the oxygen to the world economy; nothing happens without insurance. What an amazing industry to be involved in. The profound impact on people’s lives in their time of need has no measure. There are so many different facets of insurance but ultimately, we find solutions to reduce clients risk exposure. We create new relationships every day. We see new risks every day and we also learn every day. I have always told my staff, that if you apply yourself, you can work anywhere in the world. The principle of insurance is the same globally. What especially gives me immense satisfaction is being there for and helping clients in their time of need. What does becoming a finalist of the 2025 Broker of the Year mean to you? I am extremely humbled by this nomination. I am a quiet achiever who tends to stay out of the spotlight. I hope through this experience the example I set in all aspects of my business and personal life inspires others, particularly our young brokers coming into the industry, to be the best version of themselves. This recognition validates hard work, dedication, credibility, and expertise, but this is not just about me; it’s about the team around me. Without them, I would not be here. In my first management role, my boss told me that to be successful I must surround myself with people better than me and I have tried to live by that. It creates collaborative teamwork and ultimately makes me a better person. Lastly, it fuels my desire to continue finding solutions for our clients and striving for excellence.
NATALIE BASFORD, GUARDIAN INSURANCE BROKERS
How did you get started in the insurance broking profession?
I applied for a receptionist and accounts role as an 18-year-old wanting a 9-5 job rather than the retail hours I was working. That role was with Donnelly Insurance Brokers in Adelaide. At the time I felt like I was stepping into some big shoes to fill as I was moved into Liz James’ office as she had just retired. What I quickly found was that I loved it. I loved the problem- solving, it ticked the box in my brain for the math side, and I got a thrill from the chase for either getting a policy written or a claim paid. What do you think the insurance broking profession will look like in the future? AI looms large with the ability to automate and streamline many processes. Within that though, there will be even greater influence by the human aspect of broking. Finding nuanced and creative solutions will drive the industry forward. Those within the industry who can take the data and mould it into a creative solution will thrive, as will the businesses that avail themselves of this expertise. These skills will no longer be covered by commissions, but instead through a more transparent ‘fee for service’ model, which will provide peace of mind around value for our customers. The next generation of brokers will be driven by values, so we need to be clear now about what it is that we stand for and what drives us as an industry. We need to become a career of choice. What inspires you the most about the insurance broking profession? Working through how to deliver the best possible outcomes, be that in cost of cover, the quality of the cover provided or ensuring a fair payout is very satisfying. Working within the ‘profit for purpose’ space has been tremendously rewarding. Being told the money saved on a premium will be used to fund more cancer nurses, for example, is something that I will never tire of. It’s the side of the industry people don’t often see, and it is something that we should shout from the rooftops. Being able to work through important claims with my clients and seeing the relief on their faces when they realise that it is going to be okay after all; this is what drives me.
SA/NT Finalist
MARTYN LUCK, GALLAGHER
How did you get started in the insurance broking profession? Growing up with a father who was an insurance broker, you could say that the world of insurance broking was in my blood. My insurance career began as a filing clerk at Manufacturers Mutual Insurance. It was during this time that I realised my true calling wasn't within the confines of an insurance company, but rather, in the dynamic and fast-paced environment of an insurance brokerage. I patiently awaited the right opportunity to join my father's brokerage as a claims handler and from that point onwards, I knew broking was for me. What do you think the insurance broking profession will look like in the future? I believe the increased usage of AI in broking will streamline operations, reduce errors and
38 / INSURANCE ADVISER JUNE/JULY 2025
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