Market: New Zealand
Company: Rothbury Insurance Brokers
Job title: Managing director
Roger Abel’s passion for commerce and nurturing business growth was sparked early on in his professional life – elbow deep with business owners and senior managers, selling advertising for a publishing business. He entered the financial services world with AMP in 1987, the same month as the infamous share market crash of ‘87. Five years later, he invested in a business called Rothbury Insurance Brokers. Rothbury was a business with a history dating back to 1950; it had only a handful of staff and just one office. Today, he spends most of his time leading the business, with over 260 staff in 18 locations around New Zealand and several different businesses/brands. However, he still chooses to spend time with clients when the opportunity arises. Over the years, Abel has been involved in many regional mergers and acquisitions, growing a robust business that he will always be passionate about. This includes the strategic partnership between Rothbury and Lifetime, with Rothbury now the cornerstone shareholder.
