Australia’s most promising brokers have been named in Insurance Business’s annual Young Guns list with 35 rising stars making the final cut.
Nominated by colleagues, managers and peers, these up-and-comers have been recognised for bringing fresh ideas into their practice and have already distinguished themselves far beyond their years.
QBE’s Nicole Coleby is among those featured in the list – originally joining the company in a casual customer service role, Coleby was recently promoted to business operations manager and is one of two senior female leaders in the firm’s specialty business.
“I have worked in the insurance industry for over 25 years and have found Nicole to be one of the most accomplished insurance professionals I have worked with,” said one of her colleagues.
Kim Nguyen, of Allianz Australia, also made the cut – starting her insurance career as a broker, Nguyen has since transitioned to become a market-leading account manager, managing a $10 million GWP general insurance portfolio of marquee insurance brokers in NSW.
Melbourne-based James Tsalkos is also included in this year’s list – since joining Swiss Re Corporate Solutions less than a year ago, Tsalkos has emerged as a prominent underwriter of D&O and professional indemnity while also becoming an active member of various industry bodies.
The full list of 2018 Insurance Business Young Guns is below:
Celeste Abbondanza, assistant business relationship manager, QBE
Jodie Maree Banks, senior underwriter, About Underwriting
Alana Brown, broker, MGA Insurance Brokers Darwin
Edward Burrell, senior associate, insurance and reinsurance, Clyde & Co
Nicole Coleby, business operations manager, specialty, QBE
Jess Dametto, account broker, Webber Insurance Services
Matthew Dawson, business development manager, Direct Insurance Brokers
Kim Dempster, acting underwriting manager, strata insurance, QUS
James Dunstan, officer manager and account executive, North Queensland Insurance Brokers
Claire Farmer, underwriting account manager, CHU
Meggan Freestone, senior underwriter, accident and health, QBE
Sarah Hando, underwriting manager, Rural Affinity Insurance
Temika Hill, assistant account broker, Stewart Insurance Group
Bailey Howden, senior underwriter and team leader, WA, Accident & Health International
Leigh Moulden, director and principal, Doreen Insurance Solutions
Ben Neat, executive loss adjuster, Integra Technical Services
Kim Nguyen, senior account manager, Allianz
Laura Nicol, claims consultant, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance
Chris Park, director, National Insurance Group
Brodie Pigram, insurance officer, Queensland Urban
Daniel Quintin, branch manager, Gallagher
Samuel Rogers, account manager, financial lines group, cyber insurance specialist, JLT
Jonathan Ross, account executive, Aviso WA
Michelle Ross, national program manager, Cornerstone, Chubb
Jenna Sammut, account manager, professional risks and direct, retail risk services, JLT
James Skiba, senior claims officer, DUAL Australia
Adam Sloan, general manager, Insure 247
Carla Taylor, business development manager, Vero
Gareth Terrell, independent broker unit underwriter, casualty, Chubb
James Tsalkos, assistant vice president and underwriter, finpro, Swiss Re Corporate Solutions
Schalk van der Merwe, director, Omnisure
Adam Ware, partner, BJS Insurance Brokers Gippsland
Nikita Willis, account executive, SRG Corporate
Graham Whitty, sales and development manager, strata insurance, northern region, QUS
Paul Wright, national manager, CMIB, Sear Insurance
