SPOTLIGHT / Meet the state finalists of the 2026 Broker of the Year Awards
However, general insurance is rarely straightforward. The quality of advice often depends on understanding a client’s unique circumstances, identifying exposures they may not have considered and applying experience gained from years of dealing with claims, policy wordings and real-world outcomes. These are areas where human judgement remains critical. As an industry, we need to embrace AI rather than resist it — but we also need to educate clients on its limitations. AI can help get someone part of the way there, but businesses should be cautious about relying solely on technology when making decisions that could ultimately determine their financial survival. What does being a trusted adviser mean to you beyond the transaction, and how does that expertise show up when things get difficult for a client? For me, it means being someone clients can rely on — not just when their insurance is due, but when they’re making important business decisions, facing challenges or something has gone wrong. Over the years I’ve found that clients don’t really care how much you know until they know you’re genuinely looking out for them. My expertise becomes most valuable when a client is going through a difficult time. Whether it’s a major property loss, a cyber incident, a liability claim or a business interruption event, clients are often stressed, worried about cash flow and unsure what happens next. That’s where experience counts. I’ve seen enough claims to know what insurers need, where the potential roadblocks are and how to keep things moving. In those moments I become more than the person who arranged the policy. I’m helping clients navigate the process, coordinating with other advisers, managing expectations and advocating for the best possible outcome. Anyone can sell an insurance policy. The real test of a broker is how they perform when a client genuinely needs them. What does becoming a finalist of the 2026 Broker of the Year mean to you? More than anything, it gives me a sense of pride — not because of the title itself, but because it reflects the years of hard work, persistence and commitment that have gone into building my business and reputation. There have been plenty of challenges
along the way, and like most small business owners, there were times when success was far from guaranteed. To be considered among the best brokers in the country is both humbling and incredibly rewarding. When I started, I never set out to win awards. I simply wanted to build a business that clients trusted and one that delivered real value when it mattered most. This recognition tells me that the approach I’ve taken — focusing on relationships, clear advice and putting clients first — has made a genuine impact. It’s also a reminder that backing myself all those years ago was the right decision. Looking back at where I started and where the business is today, being recognised as a finalist is something I am extremely proud of and a milestone I will always remember.
Peter Boshell, Momenta Insurance Advisors NSW/ACT State Finalist
How did you get started in the insurance broking profession?
I entered the insurance industry through an operations role with AMP GI Distribution, where I was first exposed to general insurance. What started as a job quickly became a genuine interest — I found I enjoyed understanding how insurance worked and how it helped businesses manage risk. At the same time, I was drawn to the relationship and business development side of the industry. I moved into a business development role, where I gained exposure to brokers and the advice process. During training sessions, I often found that concepts many brokers were struggling with came naturally to me. More importantly, I realised that many insurance conversations were unnecessarily complex and difficult for clients to understand. That experience gave me the confidence to back myself. I made the decision to leave a secure corporate role and establish my own business, built on the belief that insurance advice should be practical, understandable and focused on helping clients make informed decisions. What’s the biggest challenge you think the profession needs to be ready for in the near future? I believe one of the biggest challenges facing the profession is the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence by businesses and consumers. AI is already proving to be a valuable tool — it can analyse information quickly, automate routine tasks and help clients access information faster than ever before. Used correctly, it has the potential to improve efficiency across the entire insurance process.
“Anyone can sell an insurance policy. The real test of a broker is how they perform when a client genuinely needs them.”
Deb Gibson, AON NSW/ACT State Finalist
How did you get started in the insurance broking profession?
Plan A was to be a vet. Plan B, a journalist. In the end, I stumbled into insurance in 1986. About eighteen months into a business degree, I decided I’d rather be earning than studying — so I hit pause on uni and took an admin role with Commercial Union (now CGU), working on the direct clients domestic customer service counter on the corner of Pitt and Hunter Streets in Sydney. Not for the faint-hearted. But it was a great grounding. You saw first-hand what happens when things aren’t set up properly at the start —
28 / INSURANCE ADVISER JUNE/JULY 2026
Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software