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What does becoming a finalist of the 2026 Broker of the Year mean to you? I’m incredibly grateful to the person who took the time to nominate me. I’m not someone who naturally seeks the spotlight, so this has taken me well outside my comfort zone and I feel genuinely humbled. It has given me an opportunity to pause and reflect on my career: the teams I’ve worked with, the people who have mentored me, and those I’ve had the privilege to mentor in turn. It has also prompted me to think about our profession more broadly; how much it has evolved, the impact we have on clients and communities, and the importance of investing in the next generation of brokers. Becoming a finalist has made me realise how fortunate I am to have built a career in such a great industry, alongside such great people.
“Building a tri-party relationship — broker, client, underwriter — allows for a genuine win-win mentality and mutual support through a hard market or a complex claims process.”
direction — someone who can interpret complex issues, communicate clearly, negotiate strongly and help them make informed decisions. Expertise shows up in the ability to anticipate issues before they become problems, respond quickly when circumstances change and advocate for the client when outcomes matter most. The same principle applies to underwriter relationships. The more comfort and trust an underwriter has in the broker, the better the outcomes you can achieve for clients. Building a tri-party relationship — broker, client, underwriter — allows for a genuine win-win mentality and mutual support through a hard market or a complex claims process. What does becoming a finalist of the 2026 Broker of the Year mean to you? It is humbling to know that I have made enough of an impact for someone to nominate me. I have never considered myself flashy — in fact, part of my personal brand has always been to fly under the radar and let the work speak for itself. To be nominated is therefore incredibly meaningful, as it suggests my professionalism, trust and skillset have been recognised. It gives me a real sense of pride and confidence, but also a desire to do more on a national scale and give back to an industry that has given me so much throughout my career. I am passionate about advocating for greater collaboration across the profession as we become future-ready — particularly in supporting and developing young professionals. Leading a team at KBI, it is genuinely rewarding to see people grow in confidence and capability, and I hope to use that experience to encourage other brokers to step beyond their own businesses and contribute to the industry more broadly. While we may be competitors, we also share a responsibility to collaborate for the greater good. By doing so, we can help ensure the future of the industry is in strong hands.
I have also been fortunate to work on overseas placements, including in the London and Singapore markets, which broadened my perspective and strengthened my relationships globally. I am now more than 25 years into the industry, leading a team of professionals and a shareholder of KBI. What’s the biggest challenge you think the profession needs to be ready for in the near future? One of the biggest challenges is how we adapt to the increasing use of AI while preserving the core value of the broker. As AI continues to support technical and administrative functions, our soft skills — negotiation, presentation, communication, relationship management, the ability to read people and situations — become even more important in building trust and influencing decision-making with both clients and underwriters. As administrative roles reduce, so too do the traditional pathways that helped young professionals learn the industry and develop into brokers. Education, training and mentoring will therefore become increasingly important. Brokers will also need strong technical knowledge to verify AI-generated outputs — because verification is only effective if you understand what you are reviewing. This will bring added compliance complexity, but I see that as a positive. As brokers, we help protect some of the largest balance sheets in the country, and our industry should continue striving for excellence, professionalism and strong standards. 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? To me, being a trusted adviser means being present well beyond the transaction. It is about understanding the client’s business, risks, people and objectives, so that the advice provided is practical, relevant and commercially aligned. In challenging moments, clients need a broker who can provide clarity, stability and
Brooke Tarr, KBI WA State Finalist
How did you get started in the insurance broking profession?
Like most insurance professionals, I fell into the industry. My first full-time position was in a WA-based broking firm doing general administration. Seeing the connections you make with people and the ability to solve problems by tailoring insurance programs cemented my path into broking as a career. Starting from the ground up allowed for on-the-job learning, mentoring and continual progression. I found that being versed in claims management broadened my technical understanding and strengthened my ability to support clients through complex matters — including a role aiding the legal discovery process in relation to the Wittenoom asbestos litigation.
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