Business Made Personal

“Never be afraid to take a step backwards to move forward!” Jacqueline (Jaqi) Rennie is a true example of someone with enormous drive and can hand on heart say ‘been there, done that’! Commencing business life as a florist, she took up nursing, became a fitness instructor, managed an airline (on weekends) and completed an undergraduate degree in Law as well as a Masters in Law. In her own words, J...

“The (insurance) industry has always given me a different perspective, a wider perspective – you get an experience that makes you think differently about the world.” Listening to stories told by his Grandfather and Father about their travels with the armed services sealed Nick Kirk’s fate as an incurable global explorer. His belief that you “don’t get big rewards without taking big risks” and his...

“It’s about knowing what to do, doing what you say, being authentic, working hard and asking for help when you need it. What’s hard about that?” From her corporate life in broadcasting, telecommunications and financial services sectors to establishing her own successful advisory practice, Jenni Smith has some fascinating insights that she shares with us in this podcast. Jenni also discusses women...

“I’ve had some life challenges and whilst I don’t think they’ve changed me, I would definitely have to say that they’ve shaped me!” Very few people commence with an Organisation in 1987 and 35 years later are more passionate and driven than they were back then. Maria Parry the COO of QIB Group is just such an individual! In fact, she says that, “(after) getting into the insurance industry, I have...

“I realised that I had done everything for everyone else and got a lot of personal satisfaction. But what was I doing for society?” As a multi-potentialite entrepreneur, Clim Pacheco has a history of reinventing himself and his business life. His career (apart from his Senior Executive role at ANZIIF), has spanned that of an Author, Engineer, Educator; Privatisation and rationalisation of Victoria...

Claims people are…the most critical part of the insurance process where clients get to test the strength and the relevance of the money they’re spending in making sure they are properly insured. David Wyner is the ex-President, Chairman and Board Member of NIBA and one of those rare individuals who has worked for one Insurance Organisation for over 20 years. In this podcast, he discusses loyalty,...

“We have to be innovative and create really great solutions and stay on the front foot, but we can’t lose sight of the things that really matter on a day to day basis and high service is going to matter!” Many people work overseas but very few have the fortitude to back themselves in to take on roles for which they have had no formal training or experience. Janelle Greene the Chief Customer Office...

“Without a doubt, the most valuable thing you can be armed with in (business) life is a half a dozen really good questions!” How does a scientist with an environmental focus transition into leading one of Australia’s major Cluster Groups? Richard Crawford, CEO of Community Broker Network (CBN) discusses his varied career progression including the challenges he encountered in running his own SME bu...

“There’s no one out there advocating for all the stuff you can learn (in insurance) whether it be risk, underwriting, actuarial, HR, compliance and you can do all of that through one Insurer if you really want to.” Angela Fitzpatrick loves claims. In her words, it is ‘where the rubber hits the road’ and the point at which you can make a real difference in people’s lives. Over her career, she has s...

“I’m really impressed with the younger, new entrants to the Industry. I think they’ve got a great thirst for knowledge.” A dyslexic, high school dropout, Dr Allan Manning is now one of the most technically knowledgeable and highly sought after influential insurance persons of our times. Having attended most major catastrophes throughout Australia including the Queensland floods, the Victorian bush...

“The key is that you keep up to date and relevant. The other thing(s) are that you’re enquiring and more importantly, that you’re reinventing yourself!” Veronica Grigg the President of Crawford Asia has the knowledge and experience that has transcended multiple industries and Countries. In this podcast, she shares with us how she managed to propel her career to the levels she did including where a...

Leadership in insurance broking defines the career of Robert Kelly, CEO and Managing Director of Steadfast Group. In this episode of Business Made Personal , host Mark Silveira sits down with Robert to discuss his journey from broking into leading Australasia’s largest general insurance broking network, and the lessons he has learned along the way. Robert shares candid insights into what it takes...

This podcast is extraordinary listening for those who are looking for inspiration in balancing family and career and what you need to consider in managing both. “It is constant learning and development in ourselves as individuals that keeps us relevant.” Highlighting the importance of education and technical training, Stella Pruscino explains why that has helped her achieve significant success in...

“There is a level of reward you get that’s greater than anything else when you can truly go home knowing you have helped someone or made their life just that little bit easier.” Steven Manning, the CEO of the LMI Group, has some big shoes to fill. In this podcast, Steve discusses the challenges and benefits of having Professor Allan Manning as his father and inspirational guide, the benefits of be...

“You can’t move forward in your career if people don’t respect you and people want to be led by you and people believe in you.” Damien Coates believes that “we’ve got to keep challenging and stretching ourselves because society in every fabric is changing and we’ve got to make sure we keep up with it.” And he should know. Apart from his role as CEO for Dual Asia Pacific, Damien discusses the impac...

“There’s an interesting correlation between childhood trauma and the ability to be strong and resilient later in life!” From living in constant fear and danger all her teenage life to backing herself in developing businesses in overseas destinations, Joan Fitzpatrick speaks about the challenges she has faced and how they have impacted her business life. A huge advocate of equality in all its forms...

“Insurance and Banking are the basis of all progress (modern) mankind has ever made anywhere and at anytime and to be part of it is a pretty big buzz!” The General Manager of the Underwriting Agencies Council, Mr William Legge discusses how selling publications along the east coast delivered him to the doorstep of the insurance profession. In this podcast, he also shares with us his learnings from...

“What surprised me was the number of senior executives that have just lost their way, that had lost connection with their sense of compassion and their caring nature. By hardening their hearts what I saw was unnecessary diminishment and disempowerment of really brilliant humans.” As the creator of the Centre for Self Fidelity, Cassandra Goodman assists employers and employees to: Remember and reco...

Insurance innovation and leadership define the career of Colin Fagen, Managing Director of Blue Zebra Insurance and former Group Executive at QBE. In this episode of Business Made Personal , host Mark Silveira speaks with Colin about his journey from agricultural economics into senior executive roles, and eventually launching Blue Zebra as a challenger in the Australian insurance market. Colin ref...

“There is literally a job in insurance for any single person who has a tertiary qualification.” As the first in her family to obtain a formal qualification, Prue Willsford lives and breathes education. In this podcast Prue also discusses taking risks, backing yourself in and the part men can play in assisting women to develop their careers. Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira , explo...

 “You’ve got to put yourself forward to take opportunities. You can’t sit back and wait for people to ask!” Shaun discusses the Authorised Representative landscape and what it took for him to transition from a global role with QBE to leading one of the most successful Authorised Representative groups in Australia.  Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira , exploring the real journeys of...

Leadership in insurance associations has shaped the career of Dallas Booth, one of the industry’s most influential figures. In this episode of Business Made Personal , host Mark Silveira speaks with Dallas about his journey from law into leadership, his time as CEO of the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA), and his commitment to advocacy and professional standards in the insurance secto...

Mentorship in insurance shaped Gary Seymour’s leadership journey and remains a key theme throughout his career. In this first episode of Business Made Personal , host Mark Silveira chats with Gary to delve into the values, experiences, and lessons that helped him become one of the industry’s most respected leaders. With decades of experience, Gary has mentored countless professionals through the c...