Our Team

TED HICKS
Chairman

Ted Hicks is one of Western Australia’s insurance industry’s leading figures. He has been involved in insurance broking for over 60 years and we’re very privileged to have him join our Board as our Chairman.

Ted has worked with a diverse cross section of clients over his career – from large multinationals to smaller family businesses. His values are aligned with Austral’s – supporting our clients with exceptional service is our number one priority. We in turn value his insights, expertise and experience.

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STEVE HALBERT
Managing Director

ANZIIF Associate
Diploma of Insurance Administration
Diploma of Financial Services (Broking)

Steve's insurance career began in 1977 working for a major Australian insurance company where he was involved in underwriting and claims management roles before progressing to senior management. In 1994 Steve was recruited to international insurance broker Aon Risk Services where he managed a hospitality scheme for restaurants and was responsible for corporate and specialised business sectors.

Since 2004 Steve has been a Director/Shareholder of Austral Risk Services with a portfolio of commercial and corporate clients together with responsibility for new business development. Steve became Managing Director in July 2008.

Steve is a MAICD of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is on the Board of the Children’s Book Council of Australia.

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TRACY JARDINE
General Manager

ANZIIF Tier 1 General Insurance Compliance
Accredited Extended DISC Consultant

Tracy has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years and with Austral since 2007. She worked in a number of senior executive assistant roles in the insurance and broking sectors prior to changing her focus to compliance when the industry became compliant under FSRA.

Tracy was Operations and Compliance Manager prior to becoming General Manager at Austral.

“I get the most reward from my work by helping our staff become the best they can possibly be through training and mentoring. I also love spending time with our huge range of clients and providing them with a wonderful experience.”

She is integral to making our team tick so we can fulfill our promise to our clients of [over] delivering every day. We couldn’t do without her.

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VICKY GLADWELL
Accountant

Bachelor of Business – Accounting

Vicky is a qualified Accountant with over 25 years experience in her field. She has previously enjoyed roles as an auditor, company accountant and is currently our Senior Bookkeeper for Austral Risk Services.

Vicky's experience, analytical skills and business acumen are key assets for our business.

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RON ELLIOTT
Senior Account Executive

Australian Insurance Institute Associate
Qualified Practising Insurance Broker
National Insurance Broking Association - Fellow
Diploma of Financial Services (Broking)

Ron has been employed in the insurance broking industry since 1970 in both Australian and international organisations.

Ron has been involved in servicing Australian and Western Australian based corporate and business accounts for Austral Risk Services for many years. His diverse client base includes property portfolios, auto distributors and motor dealers, community groups, manufacturers, exporters, retailers and wholesalers and parking and security.

Ron has a broad knowledge in most insurance classes with a particular involvement in property and liability.

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LEE LITTLE
Senior Account Executive

ANZIIF Tier 1 General Insurance Compliance Certificate

With over 22 years experience, Lee has worked across all areas of insurance, underwriting and risk management.

His work mantra is to find the best solutions for our clients – and does this by offering in-depth market and product knowledge, a global network and proactive advice and support.

Lee’s specialties are workers' compensation, risk management, global placement, insurance contract reviews, insurer negotiations and aligned service standards to suit the individual needs of clients.

The industries he works in include mining, SME’s, vineyards, industrial and commercial cleaning, plantations, clinical trials, jewellery manufacture and distribution and aged care.

Lee works very hard for his clients and gets great satisfaction in aligning insurance portfolios to each client with a thorough understanding of their risk profile and risk management needs, market wins during negotiations with underwriters and finding cover solutions for hard to place risks.

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JON STEWARD
Senior Account Executive

Jon has only recently joined the insurance industry after working in the sales and the building industry for over 30 years.  Jon is now running the commercial team which specialises in small to medium enterprise businesses including Trades, Facilities for Taxi’s, Learner Driving Schools and Special Charter vehicles.

He has a wide range of experience in both commercial and residential building and brings this in-depth knowledge and understanding to our clients. He has a sound knowledge of all aspects of the building trades from commercial and domestic builders to fit out specialists and the architects.

Jon is highly committed to our clients and a great asset to the Austral team. He's a huge soccer fan and Manchester United supporter - and the instigator of Austral's very own indoor soccer team!

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EDDY BRETT
Senior Risk Advisor

Eddy’s experience covers most aspects of the risk and insurance industry. He has had over 40 years working as a senior manager, underwriter, insurance broker and risk consultant with major corporations in the heavy engineering, tertiary education, energy and government sectors. He has had extended periods as the risk management consultant to Curtin University of Technology and more recently as risk management officer at the University of Western Australia.

Eddy oversees all of Austral’s risk management advisory work and his experience and knowledge is invaluable to every organisation he works with.

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PABLO NARVAEZ
Senior Account Broker

Bachelors Degree in Business Management and Administration (BBA) Major in Accounting and Finance
Tier 1 Insurance Broking

Pablo commenced his insurance career 9 years ago as the Risk and Insurance Manager for an international train manufacturer in Spain.  He relocated to Australia in 2017 and joined an international brokerage where is gained experience working with mining and construction clients.  Pablo is currently studying for a Certificate of Practicing Risk Associate to be able to further assist clients with all aspects of their business.

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JESSICA ATKINSON
Account Broker

Jessica has 6 years insurance experience in transport, trade & SME insurance including 2.5 years’ experience in transport at an International Brokerage. Her experience is varied in respect to Business, Liability, Workers Compensation, Commercial Motor, Marine Cargo and Personal Accident.

Jessica recently returned to Austral to work in the SME team and we are thrilled to have her back.

MICHELLE FITZGIBBON
Account Broker

ANZIIF Tier 1 General Insurance Compliance Certificate
Diploma of Financial Services (Broking)
Senior Associate ANZIIF
Regional Student of the Year Australia and New Zealand 2012

Michelle graduated with a degree in Business Studies with a major in Risk Management and Insurance in 2007 and has been working in insurance ever since. Before joining Austral, Michelle worked as a SME broker in Ireland and then with an international firm in Perth for six years, servicing the construction industry.

Michelle has a number of insurance qualifications to her name and was awarded the Regional Student of the Year Australia and New Zealand in 2012. She prides herself on the strength of her client relationships and ensuring our clients’ needs are heard and met.

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SOPHIE HARVEY
Account Broker

ANZIIF Certified Insurance Professional
ANZIIF Tier 1 Broking

Sophie began her insurance career in 1997 and after studying, gained experience working with SME clients and supporting senior executives with the management of insurance schemes for a variety of businesses and sporting clubs.

Sophie was part of the Austral team for seven years prior to taking a break to focus on raising her children. She has recently rejoined our team and is greatly valued by our team and our clients for her service and professionalism.

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ANNETTE HUGHES
Account Broker

Annette has been in the insurance industry for 20+ years, specialising in Personal and SME insurance in Perth and pastoral regions of WA. Annette joined Austral in 2018 and with her commitment and outstanding customer service to her clients she is a valuable team member at Austral.

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TUAN PHAM
Account Broker

Tuan has over 10 years’ experience in the insurance industry in broking and direct insurance roles.

He started his insurance career as a junior reinsurance broker for Aon in Vietnam and Singapore serving clients in Vietnam, Singapore, Korea, The Philippines and around the Asia Pacific region. Tuan then moved to AIG in Vietnam to lead their bancassurance business managing key relationships with banks, financial institutions and serving global clients in Vietnam. His final role in Vietnam before moving to Australia was working as an operation consultant for MicroEnsure (UK) and KIU Global (US) to set up their businesses in Vietnam. These companies specialise in product and technological innovations to create more affordable insurance for the low income customers.

Tuan moved to Perth in 2019 and is currently undertaking his MBA in Digital Business. He is passionate about insurance because of his love to support people in need.

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STACEY WHITTRED
Account Broker

Stacey is the back bone of the SME Team. She makes sure all the pieces fit together and cogs keep turning. Stacey utilises her skills from running her own business in a past life to make sure the customer experience you receive is second to none.

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TANYA YAHIYA
Account Broker

Diploma in Financial Services (Insurance Broking) with ANZIIF

Tanya’s focus in her insurance career has been on personal insurance, SME insurance and claims management. She enjoys the fast pace the broking industry offers and especially enjoys working as part of a team to provide the best possible outcomes for Austral’s clients.

Tanya has received a Steadfast – ANZIIF Young Insurance Professional Outstanding Achievement Award in 2012.

She is committed to applying her knowledge and experience from various roles in the insurance industry for Austral’s clients. With a keen attention to detail, a personable and friendly approach and a passion for her work, Tanya is an asset for our business.

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KAREN DARLINGTON
Claims Specialist

ANZIIF Tier 1 General Insurance Compliance Certificate

Karen was the Divisional Director at Willis prior to leaving the UK in 1997. Since that time, she has worked for both QBE and CGU in Perth.

In 2011, Karen joined Gallagher Bassett as the team leader on the New Zealand earthquake claims. In 2013 she took on the role as claims manager at IPS Insurance Brokers then moved to Knightcorp Insurance Brokers in 2019 as a Senior Claims Consultant before starting with our team at Austral Risk.

Karen commenced her claims career back in 1987 and has worked on numerous major complex claims alongside lawyers and assessors however she enjoys managing all types of claims, as it gives her great satisfaction when she negotiates successful outcomes for clients. Her motto – there is no such thing as problems, only challenges.

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GEORGIE GALLAGHER
Marketing Manager

BBus Marketing & Finance

Georgie joins Austral after 20 years managing her own marketing consulting business. She is a branding specialist and has worked with companies spanning many sectors. 

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