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“AI gives us the data — but it takes a human broker to build the trust, tell the story and close the deal.” with key stakeholders. AI gives us the data — but it takes a human broker to build the trust, tell the story and close the deal. Young brokers are inheriting the profession at a pivotal moment. What kind of broker do you want to be in ten years, and what are you doing now to get there? In ten years, I want to be a leading Professional Indemnity product specialist, driving innovation at scale while remaining a deeply trusted, transparent advocate for my clients. To get there, I'm constantly deepening my product knowledge through conducting contract reviews, analysing coverage nuances, and working closely with underwriters to draft bespoke manuscript endorsements. These experiences are not only strengthening my technical expertise but also giving me a deeper understanding of how policy design directly influences client outcomes. By bridging the gap between product development and client advocacy, I'm building the skills needed to contribute to more meaningful, fit-for-purpose insurance solutions in the future. No matter how the market shifts or how far my career takes me, my anchor will always be a client-first approach. I'm scaling my technical expertise today so that in a decade, I can actively shape policy blueprints from the inside out— ensuring our industry never loses its heart. What does becoming a finalist of the 2026 Young Broker of the Year mean to you? Being named a finalist this year is deeply meaningful because it marks how far I've come. When I first reached the state finals in 2019 — nominated by AIG — I was just as passionate, but still had so much to learn. I was fresh in my career: I hadn't yet presented to boards, managed large-scale claims, responded to complex tenders or navigated a brutal hard financial lines market. Seven years later, having lived through exactly those trials, my perspective has completely transformed. Facing intense market pressures and fighting for clients didn't exhaust me — it made me fall even deeper in love with this profession. This recognition brings a powerful sense of accomplishment, but more importantly, it brings responsibility: a platform to show the next generation that the challenges of broking are exactly where you find your purpose.
How did you get started in the insurance broking profession? I began my broking journey in 2015 with Aon's corporate team, working primarily with Roger Davey and Brendan Wright across transport, food and beverage and health clients. In 2017, I joined the power, energy and construction team, where I worked closely with Ranga Jayaratne and Michael Martin. I quickly realised that the power and energy space was going to be a fulfilling and challenging discipline — particularly with Australia's energy transition and renewable energy targets — and have been focused there ever since. Tech and AI is reshaping how brokers work. Where do you see it adding value and what do you think will always need the human touch? I believe the insurance industry has a real opportunity to harness tech and AI to streamline the significant administrative burden that comes with our day-to-day work. But I firmly believe there will always be a place for human interaction and connection, especially for mid-to-large clients who rely on the expertise and relationships of a broker. A computer simply cannot pick up the phone, call in a favour or negotiate the technical nuances of a complex risk. Young brokers are inheriting the profession at a pivotal moment. What kind of broker do you want to be in ten years, and what are you doing now to get there? I want to be a broker who mirrors the brokers who've mentored me. I've been fortunate to work with some incredibly smart — and more importantly, incredibly passionate — people who have shaped my entire journey. If I can Ashleigh Woodman, Lockton Companies Australia VIC/TAS State Finalist
be half the broker they are in ten years' time, I'll consider that a win. In terms of what I'm doing to get there: it's about developing the soft skills. The results I get for myself and my clients come from the relationships I've made and nurtured over eleven years, and that is one of the more difficult skills to learn — especially for younger people who have grown up with technology as a primary source of communication. What does becoming a finalist of the 2026 Young Broker of the Year mean to you? As someone who often experiences imposter syndrome in large doses, becoming a finalist has helped me understand that I am where I am supposed to be, doing what I'm supposed to be doing, and that I am a valued member of the insurance community. My grandpa was an insurance broker too, and he is no longer with us — but I know that becoming a finalist would have made him proud, and I love that in moments like this, I think of him.
“My grandpa was an insurance broker too, and he is no longer with us, but I know that becoming a finalist would've made him proud and I love that in these moments I think of him.”
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