Insurance Journey: Ian Goninon

FROM THE MAILROOM TO MANAGEMENT

The 2021 Vic/Tas Broker of the Year, Ian Goninon of Capital Innovation, is an entrepreneur who places professionalism at the centre of his risk advising services.

“I originally got an o ce job as my mum wanted me to have one even though I wanted to be a bricklayer. I started work at Commercial Union in the mailroom but when I saw the beginning of insurance broking starting up in Tasmania I thought that was better suited to me. I started my risk management career at QBE, in a program where they encouraged their managers to go out with a direct book of business and they paid for the cost of o ce equipment, sign writing and other items.

From early on I really wanted my own business, dealing with clients and assisting them with better insurance packages and claims. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed – it was a natural step forward from the underwriting to the broking industry.

I love the insurance industry and although I left during my career to start another business, I quickly came back to insurance. I think the insurance industry is very interesting as it covers various occupations and activities and can involve everything from law to accounting and everything in between.

Meeting entrepreneurial people from di erent industries with ambitions and goals for their own businesses is great, especially here in Tasmania. Being such a small state and dealing with a variety of people, at times you also get involved in those serious or large claims where you have designed policies or modified policies and are pleased that they are able to respond. It’s always interesting to see how the outcome of some claims occur.

Over the years I’ve learnt a lot of lessons, but one big one is to not overpromise to clients and to not say a policy covers everything. You need to look at a client’s insurance requirements and design an

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

insurance product that’s tailor-made to them. Get the policy right and then when you get the early-morning phone call saying there has been a robbery/ fire/flood, you know the client is covered – peace of mind for all concerned.

It has been a great journey for me, starting o as a kid in the mailroom to running my own insurance broking firm. I think by starting o on the bottom and working my way up, I got an all-round experience.

I believe the insurance industry can set you up for whatever career you end up in. It can give you a wide knowledge of business such as accounting or IT. I have had sta work with me who have left to go and work in London as an insurance broker, another to go and teach in Japan, and others that have left Tasmania and are working on the mainland in the insurance industry.

I was not traditionally mentored when I began my career, but I did get the opportunity to go to Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane to see how other insurance brokers managed their businesses, which was an amazing experience. I’ve mentored many of our sta throughout the years and believe it is important for sta to feel supported and given opportunities, as it will encourage them to stay in the industry.

I think it all comes down to professionalism – it is everything to us. And the pinnacle of professionalism in insurance broking is the QPIB designation. I would like to see the QPIB designation grow and become the equivalent to CPA.”

FIVE QUICK QUESTIONS

Tell us something most people don’t know

about you? I have met both the Queen and Prince Phillip and shaken hands with them. Secret ambition? I do not have one except to lose 15kg. Favourite tipple? Red wine. I prefer quality over quantity these days. I like a Shiraz or a Cabernet Sauvignon. Favourite pastime? My favourite pastime is fishing, occasionally at the top end of Australia, or working in the outdoors. I live on acreage so there is always plenty to do. Favourite food? Some eat to live; I live to eat. I enjoy eating out. I relish Spanish cuisine and love a good steak or Tassie oysters.

Share your insurance journey. Email editor@niba.com.au