peopleNEWS

Lion says ‘cheers to 10 years’

Lion Underwriting hosted a celebratory yacht cruise on the Gold Coast Broadwater on November 7 to mark a decade in business.

Director Jarrod O’Brien says the milestone is both a tribute to the specialist underwriting agency’s establishment in 2015 by the late Kurt Nilsen, and a turning point.

“Kurt built Lion on trust, authenticity and genuine relationships. As we reach 10 years, our priority is to honour that legacy while building a strong, sustainable future for our brokers, partners and team,” Mr O’Brien says.

The three-hour cruise featured panoramic views, live entertainment and canapés, bringing together brokers, partners and industry colleagues.

The occasion honoured Mr Nilsen and the late Ralph Dissell, who Lion says played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s early direction with his leadership, financial acumen and commitment to strong relationships.

“Though both have since passed, their influence remains at the heart of Lion’s identity and culture,” the agency says.

Lion has grown into a national agency, with teams operating from Brisbane and Sydney offering casualty, property and professional lines solutions.

It says it enters its next decade with renewed investment in capability, talent and technology – and with “deep gratitude to the people who have supported the business along the way.

“Here’s to 10 years of collaboration, growth and shared success. Thank you for being part of our journey.”

Young team supports cyclone-hit community

Vero took current and former National Insurance Brokers Association young broker of the year finalists on a trip to north Queensland in September to help a community’s disaster recovery.

Association CEO Richard Klipin also went on the three-day visit to Bloomfield, where the group helped revitalise a community hall damaged by Tropical Cyclone Jasper in 2023.

The project came after last year’s award nominees chose to allocate Vero’s $25,000 annual community grant to the town, which has a population of just over 200.

“Beyond the professional growth I’ve gained, being able to play a part in the recovery of this town’s community centre was something I’ll never forget,” said Still Insured’s James Still, who won this year’s national young broker award, sponsored by Vero.

“Getting our hands dirty to assist a local community is not an opportunity you get afforded every day, and I’m grateful to have gone on this journey with so many like-minded people.”

Vero distribution head Anthony Pagano says the program provides a hands-on experience that has a “lasting impact”.

Hundreds head to ‘Hamo’ for IA conference

About 500 delegates – including authorised representatives from Australia and New Zealand and industry and service partners – attended this year’s Insurance Advisernet conference on Hamilton Island.

Award winners across more than 10 categories were announced at a gala dinner that concluded the three-day event in October.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott, Olympic gold medallist Jess Fox, National Insurance Brokers Association CEO Richard Klipin and strategic goal-setting specialist Keith Abraham were among speakers at the event.

More than $200,000 was raised for the IA Foundation, which has donated an average of $500,000 each year for the past 10 years.

Vero, GIO celebrate RM Advancer winners

The winners of the 17th RM Advancer Awards were announced in November at the Immigration Museum in Melbourne.

Vero Insurance and GIO Workers Compensation hold the annual event to recognise and reward outstanding risk management achievements within Australian businesses.

This year’s winners represented a range of industries and geographies, from recreational facilities to mining, including Weathertex in New South Wales (commercial), New Plumbing Solutions in Victoria (small and medium enterprises), KCA Site Services in Western Australia (workers’ compensation and liability), and Buller Ski Lifts in Victoria (best continuous improvement).

“We saw record numbers of nominations this year, showing overwhelming enthusiasm from brokers to highlight how their clients have excelled in risk management across every aspect of their organisation,” Vero EGM of commercial David Hoffmann said.

Brokers out in force for association convention

Almost 900 delegates attended the National Insurance Brokers Association Convention on the Gold Coast in October.

The event, themed “shaping change” and held at RACV Royal Pines, featured almost 80 speakers, celebrated award winners at a gala dinner, and raised $95,000 for charity partners the Gidget Foundation and Pat Cronin Foundation.

A first for the annual event was a wellbeing centre where attendees could pat puppies and baby goats.

“This is our strongest face-to-face turnout in the post-covid era, and it speaks volumes about the energy and the appetite of our profession to come together, learn and shape change,” convention chair Lynette Walsh said.

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