Insurance Broking Faculty Advisory Board

Managing Director

Benjamin & Benjamin Insurance Group

Paul is the Managing Director of Benjamin & Benjamin Insurance Group, a business he brought to market in April 2015, making it 3rd generation Benjamin insurance brokerage. This business is a Corporate Authorised Representative of McLardy McShane Partners Pty Ltd. He has been part of the insurance industry for more than 26 years having worked for underwriting agencies, as well as local and international insurance brokers.  Along with insurance and accounting qualifications.  Paul holds a Post Graduate Diploma of Management and Masters of Business Administration.

Paul is a Fellow of Australian and New Zealand Institute Insurance and Finance, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, Member of the Australian Institute of Directors and is President of the Boating Industry Association of Victoria, Deputy Chair of the Boating Industry Associations Alliance (National Boating Association), and is on the Insurance Brokers Claims Advisory Board at AIG.

Head of Broker Network

Steadfast Group Limited

Graham Cassidy was born in the United Kingdom and educated in Melbourne. He started in the industry with CIC in Melbourne and moved to Zurich (then CGA) in 1979. Graham worked his way from renewals clerk through claims, sales and branch underwriting roles in Adelaide and Sydney offices, national underwriting and regional distribution roles. Graham’s final role with Zurich was as NSW Regional Strategic Distribution Manager.

In the next four years, Graham was the Technical Manager with IBNA, where he was responsible for Member technical enquiries, product development as well as wholesale broking across PI, liability and property lines.

Graham joined Steadfast in 2006 as Member Technical Manager, then Marketing and Relationships Manager and in 2016 moved into the current role. Steadfast Group has Network Brokers ranging from turnovers of less than $3million to well over $100million.

Graham joined the Insurance Broking Faculty Advisory Board in 2012.  

Graham is married and has two daughters.

Head of Operations Execution and Performance Management, Asia-Pacific

Aon

Working within Aon Business Services (ABS) in Asia Pacific, my role is around ensuring that we have consistency across the region in the Business Platforms that are deployed and configured for use by our Sales and Service colleagues, Integrated Field Operations or Shared Operations colleagues which align with the Service Delivery Model. Additionally I provide focus around Operational Performance Management ensuring that we have effective KPIs and management systems to ensure that optimal client service and effectiveness is being achieved.

I also play a role in the stewardship of Aon Connect for the Pacific Region ensuring we have sales effectiveness, working closely with the Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Client Officer on growth enablement. The Business Improvement Team incorporates Business Learning, Data Management and Operational Reporting, where we work closely with Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer communities across APAC and the Service Delivery Leaders. I have been involved in the insurance industry for the past 39 years, all with Aon and the predecessor companies of Alexander & Alexander and Reed Stenhouse, commencing my career in Brisbane. Prior roles have included business unit management, client servicing and new business acquisition across many industries including local authorities, motor vehicle dealerships, education, aged care, manufacturing, construction and retail. Throughout my career I have managed the operations of Mackay, Townsville, Canberra and Parramatta offices for Aon.

I am a Director of the Aon Charitable Foundation in Australia. I also represent Aon on the NIBA New South Wales Divisional Committee as well as represent Aon at the ANZIIF Broking Faculty. Outside of Aon, I am a volunteer fire fighter with the New South Wales Rural Fire Service - Rouse Hill Brigade. I hold the position of Brigade Treasurer. I also play competitive lawn bowls at the Castle Hill Bowling Club. My areas of Specialty include Insurance Broking, General Insurance, Business Analysis, Business Improvement, Sales Management, Insurance Business Applications, Project Management, Learning and Development, Training Business Applications, Technical Accounting, Financial Analysis and People Management

Broker

Crombie Lockwood (NZ) Limited

Jarrod has been in the New Zealand insurance market since 2003. Working for Vero Insurance in Auckland, Jarrod gained experience through their National Sales and Claims teams, as well as commercial underwriting in Vero’s Tauranga office. 

In early 2012, Jarrod left Vero to travel, and in early 2013, returned back into the New Zealand market working for Crombie Lockwood as a commercial broker. He is an ANZIIF Senior Associate and also graduated from the University of Auckland with a BA/BCom in 2009.

Regional Director – Commercial

Aon

Stacy has been focused on broker distribution for over 20 years holding leadership roles across Underwriting, Sales and Strategy both locally and internationally.
Commencing at Aon in 2019 as Regional Director, in this role she leads 5 branches that provide risk, placement and advisory services.

Stacy is committed to creating an environment built on collaboration, trust and service excellence. In her personal time, she enjoys volunteer work, riding her bike, gardening and dancing like no-one is watching.

Cyber Incident Management and Claims Lead – Pacific

Marsh

A lawyer by background, Fiona leads the cyber incident management and claims practice for Marsh Pacific. She is involved with providing a range of pre-incident and claims management services to large corporate and global clients, with a particular emphasis on managing a portfolio of complex cyber matters.

In 2017, Fiona won the Turkslegal claims scholarship for her essay on ‘Navigating Cyber Claims in an Evolving Landscape’ where she devised a six- step process to assist claims handlers with building experience in the area of cyber claims. Fiona was also named ANZIIF Young Insurance Professional of the Year in 2018 and Insurance Business Young Gun in 2019.

General Manager

United Insurance Group

Trevor has over 25 years experience in general insurance after starting his career with State Insurance Office in 1986 in workers compensation claims. Trevor then moved into the domestic insurance area, including management of the insurance program for the old State Bank network, before moving on to a district manager role looking after part of the SIO’s large state network of agents and brokers. Following SIO’s purchase by GIO in 1992, Trevor was involved in various sales and management roles leading to him moving to WA as State Manager of GIO in 1997. In 2000 he moved to HBF (WA's largest health insurer and membership organisation) to manage their general insurance portfolio and the implementation of FSRA reform to HBF’s large network of branches and travel agents.

In 2004 Trevor took the opportunity to move back to Victoria to take up a role with Financial Lifestyle Solutions, managing a network of 40 general authorised representatives. In 2008, together with his partners, Trevor formed United Insurance Group (UIG) to provide an alternative solution to segments of the growing authorised representative population. UIG is part of the Steadfast network and has over 30 ARs as part of the group.

Trevor is a Richmond AFL supporter and is married with three sons.

Director

BJS Morton Insurance Brokers (NSW) Pty Ltd 

Vanessa has over 10 years of experience in the insurance profession, commencing her career with Allianz on their graduate program in 2001.  Vanessa gained experience through the various areas of a large, international insurer, working in roles such as eBusiness, Business Analyst, Reporting & Planning, Marketing and Sales / Distribution. 

Vanessa was appointed as Allianz Broker & Agency Divisions’ National Sales & Development Manager in 2009. 

In June 2011, Vanessa joined her family’s broking business in NSW, Gary Morton Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd.  Since joining the broking business, Vanessa has become a shareholder of the company and is now a Director.  Vanessa manages the overall operation of the business and a portfolio of clients.

Vanessa participated on the NSW NIBA Young Professionals’ Committee in NSW for 10 years as both an insurer & broking representative and was Chair from 2013-14.  Vanessa has completed a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma in Insurance. 

Vanessa is a Fellow of ANZIIF and a Qualified Practicing Insurance Broker (QPIB).

Manager - Key Clients & Corporate Partners

Austbrokers Countrywide

Fabian commenced his insurance career in 1980 as a claims clerk at Federation Insurance before he switched across to a broking role where for 7 years he assisted a broad range of clients.

After 10 years with NZI Insurance, Fabian joined Austbrokers Holdings Ltd (now AUB Group Ltd) in 1999. He held various roles including Chief Executive Group M&A where he was responsible for many transactions within the group.

In 2005 Fabian was part of the management team that lead the company to its successful ASX listing. During his tenure at AUB, Fabian acted as Non -Executive Director and Chair of several partner businesses of AUB ranging from, General Insurance broking, Life operations and Underwriting Agencies (including Lloyds MGAs) varying in size from GWP turnover of $15.0m thru to $500.0m. In 2018, Fabian became MD of Adroit Insurance & Risk leading a compliment of 150+ staff, 25,000 clients and managed $120.0m of GWP. In 2021, Fabian joined Austbrokers Countrywide as Manager- Key Clients & Corporate Partners.
Fabian has previously served as Chair of the Victorian chapter of the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA), is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Diploma Financial Services (Insurance Broking). Fabian is passionate about the insurance industry and enjoys helping people and businesses strategically grow beyond their realisations.

Director

McLardy McShane 

Vishal is a Director and an equity holder of the McLardy McShane Group of companies. Vishal joined the group in 2012 and brings with him over 18 years of insurance experience. Vishal is responsible for team management, insurer relationships and major client support.

Throughout his career, he has attained valuable experience previously working as an underwriter with Ansvar Insurance where he held a national role as the National Accounts Manager and prior to that with a global insurance broker Willis Ltd. During his time at Willis he held various management roles; Commercial Manager (VIC), Insolvency Manager, Franchise Manager & headed up the Insurance division for the Franchise Council of Australia (FCAIS).

Vishal has managed large teams and has also developed and launched new products into the market with impressive results. Vishal is also a NIBA member and is a Qualified Practising Insurance Broker (QPIB). He also holds a Fellowship with the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (Fellow) and degrees in Insurance & marketing from Deakin University.

Married with a son Vishal loves traveling and is a self-confessed sports nut. He loves Cricket, Golf and AFL and gets along to matches whenever he can.

General Manager, Corporate, Risk & Broking, NSW

Willis Towers Watson

Katherine was appointed as the General Manager, Corporate, Risk and Broking for Willis Towers Watson, NSW in August 2017. 

Katherine is a member of the A/NZ leadership team and, as head of the broking business, and is responsible for connecting Willis Towers Watson people, services, and advice to achieve optimal client outcomes and solutions. She has full P&L responsibility for all divisions including property, casualty, construction, financial lines, workplace risk, global inwards, corporate, commercial, government and sales. 

Katherine’s years of experience gained with global insurers, including company and Lloyd’s markets, gives a unique perspective to matching client risk profiles and solutions within her current role of broking leadership. Prior to joining Willis Towers Watson, Katherine held leadership roles within insurance including Managing Director and a member of the board of directors of Ironshore Insurance Australia, and Head of M&A Insurance (Warranty & Indemnity) at AIG. Katherine has broad international experience having lived or worked in Australia, Asia, UK and Europe. Her earlier career includes corporate law, and management consulting in banking, wealth, risk and insurance. 

Katherine is highly motivated and passionate about driving positive outcomes for all clients and colleagues within the local insurance industry. Katherine is admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales and Victoria and holds a Juris Doctor (Law), Bachelor of Commerce, and Diploma of Languages (French) from the University of Melbourne.