People-first leadership in insurance begins with a willingness to give others your knowledge, time and belief.

In this episode of Business Made Personal, Mark Silveira speaks with Linda Bennett, Senior Claims Advisor and Broker Partner at Crawford & Company, about the experiences that shaped her leadership, insurance career and commitment to mentoring others.

Linda Bennett's insurance career started in Hobart in 1998 as a credit controller, not exactly the origin story most people expect from someone who would go on to spend over 23 years in broking and then move into a senior claims and broker partnership role at Crawford & Company. What shaped her more than any job title, though, was a childhood moment that forced her to stand on her own two feet at nine years old.

Independence forged early

When Linda was nine, her seven-year-old sister Katrina was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that left her in intensive care on a ventilator. Linda's parents were at Royal Hobart Hospital around the clock for months, and Linda moved in with a family friend named Margaret Love. It was three to four months that changed her.

I became very independent at nine years old. I stood on my own two feet.

- Linda Bennett, Ep. 148

That independence never left. Linda describes herself as fiercely protective of her sister to this day, and credits that period with forming the self-reliance that has carried her through a long professional life.

A caring instinct turned professional strength

Linda grew up wanting to be a nurse. Her mother worked in aged care for decades, bringing home washing from nursing home residents to make sure it wouldn't get lost. That level of personal investment in other people's wellbeing left a mark. Linda never made it to nursing, but she is clear that the caring instinct those early influences gave her became the foundation of her approach to leadership and client relationships in insurance. She describes herself as a hugger and a carer, and believes those traits are what made her the people leader she became across her career.

What this means for your career

Linda's story is a reminder that the qualities that make someone good at insurance work are often formed well before anyone steps into a brokerage or a claims office. The skills worth examining are not always the technical ones.

• Your personal history, including the hard parts, can be the source of your most durable professional strengths.
• A career that stays in one place geographically can still build serious depth and variety across roles and organisations.
• The instinct to care for people, when applied consistently, becomes a leadership quality that is genuinely hard to teach.

Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond.

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Major complex loss in insurance is not just about technical expertise; it is about communication, judgement and the ability to guide people through pressure.

In this episode of Business Made Personal, Mark Silveira chats with Nigel Cook, Chief Executive Officer, Sedgwick Singapore, and Head of Major Complex Loss, Asia. Nigel shares how a trade apprenticeship in South Wales, an early move to Abu Dhabi, and decades as an expat have shaped his approach to engineering, loss adjusting, and leadership across international markets.

Nigel’s story moves from British Steel to the American Bureau of Shipping, New Zealand loss adjusting, Singapore and complex claims across Asia. Along the way, he explains why strong claims outcomes depend on more than policy interpretation. They depend on empathy, clear stakeholder communication and the discipline to keep people informed before issues go sideways.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

•  How an engineering background helped Nigel understand complex claims 
•  Why catastrophe response can take a personal toll on adjusters 
•  How communication shapes trust in major and complex loss 
•  Why Sedgwick is investing in younger adjusters through Pathfinder, Protégé and leadership development 
•  How cross-border exposures are changing the speed and complexity of insurance 

For insurance professionals, brokers, adjusters, and business leaders, this conversation is a practical reminder that claims leadership is built on experience, resilience, and clear communication.

Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond.

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How Deniz Bekir is raising the standard of insurance claims begins with a simple belief: every claim deserves the very best expertise, professionalism and care.

In this episode of Business Made Personal, Mark Silveira sits down with Deniz Bekir, CEO and Principal Engineer at Silver Wolf Projects and Chairperson of the Association of Insurance Building and Engineering Consultants (AiBEC). What unfolds is more than a conversation about engineering; it’s an exploration of leadership, resilience and the responsibility professionals have to continually raise the standard of the industries they serve.

Growing up in a hardworking immigrant family, Deniz learned the value of discipline, education and doing your best from an early age. Those lessons would later guide him through launching his own consultancy during the Global Financial Crisis, building one of Australia's leading insurance engineering firms, and becoming a passionate advocate for improving professionalism across the insurance industry.

Throughout the conversation, Deniz shares why engineering is fundamentally about solving problems, not just analysing structures. He reflects on the challenges of assessing catastrophic events, leading teams through uncertainty, and supporting policyholders during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. He also explains why claims handling deserves greater investment, stronger collaboration and higher professional standards if the industry is to deliver the outcomes customers expect when they need insurance most.

In this episode, you'll discover:

•  Why great engineering starts with solving people’s problems. 
•  The lessons learned from building a business during the Global Financial Crisis. 
•  How resilience and a positive mindset have shaped Deniz's leadership journey. 
•  Why raising professional standards benefits insurers, service providers and policyholders alike. 
•  The role ABEC is playing in the future of Australia's insurance industry. 
•  Doing your best every day leaves no room for regret. 

Whether you're an insurer, broker, loss adjuster, engineer, builder or business owner, this episode offers practical leadership lessons that extend well beyond the insurance industry.

Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond.

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Insurance leadership is rarely a straight path, and few people understand that better than Ben Goodall.

In this episode of Business Made Personal, Mark Silveira sits down with Ben Goodall, CEO of Envest Broking and former CEO of PSC Broking, to explore a career that has taken him from aspiring musician to one of Australia's most respected insurance leaders.

Ben shares his unique upbringing across Melbourne, Queensland and regional Victoria, his early ambitions in music, and how a temporary role in the family brokerage unexpectedly became a lifelong career in insurance. Along the way, he discusses the lessons learned from building a regional brokerage into a nationally recognised business, navigating business ownership, leading large teams, and embracing change throughout his career.

Ben also opens up about some of the most challenging periods of his life, including the loss of his mother, managing intense business pressures, navigating regulatory scrutiny, and the personal growth that emerged from those experiences.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How calculated risk-taking can accelerate career growth
• The leadership lessons Ben learned moving from entrepreneur to CEO
• Why delegation is critical for scaling both people and businesses
• How resilience is built through adversity and uncertainty
• The future of insurance, AI and the evolving role of brokers

Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating a major career transition, this conversation offers valuable insights into leadership, growth and the importance of continually adapting.

Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond.

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What does modern leadership in insurance actually look like?

In Episode 144 of Business Made Personal, Mark Silveira speaks with Lorelle Hillman, General Manager of Distribution at QBE Australia, about resilience, mentorship, gender equity, and the future of the insurance industry.

Lorelle shares her journey from Brisbane tennis courts and corporate travel into a 25-year insurance career spanning underwriting, broking, sales leadership, and executive management. She reflects on balancing motherhood with executive leadership, the lessons learned through personal loss, and why women must advocate for themselves in leadership conversations.

The episode also explores:

•  Women in insurance leadership 
•  AI and the future workforce 
•  Mentorship and experiential learning 
•  Industry evolution and innovation 
•  Building resilient leadership cultures 
•  Work-life balance and executive growth 

Lorelle also shares a passionate perspective on why insurance professionals should feel proud of their work and the impact they have on society.

Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond.

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For enquiries, collaborations, or to suggest a guest: [email protected]

Leadership in insurance isn’t built in boardrooms — it’s forged through resilience, relationships, and real-world experience.

In this episode of Business Made Personal, Mark Silveira sits down with Steven Hill, NIBA Director, board member, and 2018 Queensland Broker of the Year, to explore a remarkable 40-year journey in the insurance industry.

Steven’s story begins in suburban Brisbane, shaped by sport, discipline, and strong mentorship. From a chance opportunity at 18, he entered the world of insurance — not through a structured career path, but through relationships and instinct. What followed was a career defined by adaptability, leadership, and a deep commitment to people.

In this conversation, we explore:

•  How sport and mentorship shaped Steven’s leadership philosophy 
•  The role of resilience in overcoming setbacks and career pivots 
•  Why relationships — not transactions — drive long-term success 
•  The biggest challenges facing the insurance industry today include affordability and talent shortages 

Steven also shares powerful reflections on balancing career and family, maintaining respect in business relationships, and why the industry must rethink how it attracts future talent.

If you’re building a career in insurance or leading within the industry, this episode offers grounded, practical insight from someone who has lived it.

Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond.

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Join the conversation: Connect with us on https://bit.ly/bmp-LinkedIn
For enquiries, collaborations, or to suggest a guest: [email protected]

Insurance leadership and resilience are at the heart of this powerful conversation with Greg Fisher, chairman of Nautilus Marine and chairman of the Steadfast Foundation. In this episode of Business Made Personal, Mark Silveira sits down with one of the insurance industry’s most respected leaders to explore a journey shaped by hard work, humility, adversity and purpose.

Greg shares how growing up on a sheep farm in rural Victoria during drought taught him resilience early. From there, he opens up about the mentors who helped him enter insurance, the career moves that took him from Ballarat to Melbourne, Sydney and London, and the leadership lessons he learned along the way. He also reflects on the life-changing accident that forced him to rebuild not only his health, but his sense of identity and purpose.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

•  How Greg’s early life and family values shaped his leadership style 
•  Why mentorship and work ethic mattered so much in his rise through insurance 
•  What his recovery journey taught him about balance, perspective and asking for help 
•  Why collaboration, data sharing and human relationships still matter in the future of insurance 

This is a conversation about much more than career success. It is about what happens when life interrupts the plan, and how strong values, community and purpose can help you build again.

Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond.

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The road to insurance leadership isn't always via traditional underwriting roles. Damien Gallagher's journey from financial planning to executive leadership at CGU shows how curiosity and cross-industry experience can boost career advancement in ways that remaining within insurance silos cannot.

From Financial Planning to Insurance Strategy

Gallagher's career shift started at Perpetual Trustees, where he specialised in personal injury financial planning for clients receiving compensation from medical negligence and motor vehicle accidents. This focus required building strong relationships with personal injury lawyers and understanding complex financial needs. His success in developing new market opportunities for Perpetual led to leadership ambitions that the organisation couldn't support internally.

I wanted to be a leader. I wanted to be more than just the individual. I wanted to be leading people, setting the strategy for the business.

— Damien Gallagher, Ep. 141

The Value of Outsider Perspective

Moving to Zurich as State Manager Queensland without a traditional insurance apprenticeship brought fresh thinking to established teams. Gallagher recognised that Zurich already had exceptional technical expertise and focused on enhancing existing strengths while introducing strategic approaches from financial services. This blend of respecting institutional knowledge while incorporating external perspectives proved valuable for both individual career growth and organisational development.

What This Means for Your Career

Insurance organisations are increasingly recognising the value of diverse career backgrounds that bring innovative strategic thinking to traditional operations. Gallagher's progression demonstrates how professionals can transition successfully by identifying transferable skills and understanding where they contribute unique value to established teams.

• Curiosity and willingness to expand role boundaries lead to faster advancement opportunities than staying within defined job parameters
• Cross-industry experience becomes a competitive advantage when combined with respect for existing institutional knowledge and relationships
• Leadership aspirations require strategic career moves when current organisations cannot offer growth pathways that align with professional ambitions.

Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond.

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Join the conversation: Connect with us on https://bit.ly/bmp-LinkedIn
For enquiries, collaborations, or to suggest a guest: [email protected]

Leadership in insurance isn’t just about strategy; it’s about culture, people, and execution.

In this episode of Business Made Personal, Mark Silveira sits down with Stuart Brown, CEO of The Bridge International, to unpack a career that spans some of Australia’s most influential insurance organisations. From launching Coles Insurance to leading a consultancy focused on bridging strategy and execution, Stuart shares the lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy.

This conversation goes beyond traditional leadership narratives. Stuart explores the realities of transitioning from technical roles into relationship-driven leadership, the importance of building trust, and why culture must come before commercial outcomes.

You’ll learn:

•  Why the “triple play” of culture, customer, and commercials is critical for sustainable success 
•  How a growth mindset drives innovation in insurance 
•  The real challenges of leadership, including sacrifice, uncertainty, and resilience 
•  Why the future of insurance depends on attracting and developing the next generation 

Stuart also reflects on navigating COVID-19 as a business leader, the importance of mentorship, and how saying “yes” to opportunities can shape a career in unexpected ways.

If you’re an insurance professional, business leader, or someone looking to grow your impact, this episode delivers practical insights you can apply immediately.

Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond.

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Join the conversation: Connect with us on https://bit.ly/bmp-LinkedIn
For enquiries, collaborations, or to suggest a guest: [email protected]

Leadership in insurance is evolving as brokers shift from transactional insurance placement to becoming trusted risk advisors.

In this episode of Business Made Personal, Mark Silveira chats with Tim Mathieson, CEO – Australasia Broking at Steadfast, about leadership, mentorship, and how the role of brokers is evolving in the insurance industry.

Tim shares insights from his journey leading broker networks across Australasia and reflects on the leadership mindset needed to steer an industry through technological change, evolving client expectations, and the entry of new generations into the profession.

Together, Mark and Tim discuss how effective leadership in insurance is developed through mentorship, resilience, and a sustained focus on cultivating people.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

• Why the future of broking is shifting towards holistic risk management

• The importance of mentorship in building strong broker businesses

• How leaders can nurture the next generation of insurance professionals

• Why trust and client relationships remain the key advantages in broking

As technology speeds up change in the insurance industry, leaders must focus not only on innovation but also on developing people who can guide clients through increasingly complex risks. 

Tim provides a thoughtful view on what leadership in insurance looks like today and how broker businesses can prepare for the future.

Business Made Personal is hosted by Mark Silveira, exploring the real journeys of leaders in insurance, business, and beyond.

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Join the conversation: Connect with us on https://bit.ly/bmp-LinkedIn
For enquiries, collaborations, or to suggest a guest: [email protected]