Insurance Broking Faculty Advisory Board

The key objective of the IB FAB is to act as a peak body of experienced and talented experts in the field of Insurance Broking, unified in its commitment to help ANZIIF provide meaningful service to enhance the professionalism, ethics and community standing of those working in this sector.

The Chair of the Board is Stacy Finnegan. 

Stacy Finnegan

Stacy Finnegan - Chair

Stacy Finnegan - Chair

Stacy has been focused on broker distribution for over 20 years holding leadership roles across Underwriting, Sales and Strategy both locally and internationally. 

Stacy worked as the Regional Director at Aon, in this role she lead 5 branches that provided 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. 

Graham Cassidy

Graham Cassidy

Head of Broker Network

Steadfast Group Limited

Graham Cassidy

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.

Trevor Howard

Trevor Howard

General Manager

United Insurance Group

Trevor Howard

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.

Kapoor_Vishal

Vishal Kapoor

Director

McLardy McShane

Vishal Kapoor

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. 

Morton_Vanessa

Vanessa Morton

Director

BJS Morton Insurance Brokers (NSW) Pty Ltd

Vanessa Morton

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). 

Fabian Pasquini

Fabian Pasquini

Manager - Key Clients & Corporate Partners

Austbrokers Countrywide

Fabian Pasquini

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. 

The key objective of the IB FAB is to act as a peak body of experienced and talented experts in the field of Insurance Broking, unified in its commitment to help ANZIIF provide meaningful service to enhance the professionalism, ethics and community standing of those working in this sector.

The Chair of the Board is Stacy Finnegan.