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Our People

Executive Management 

GRANT HERBERT 

Managing Director 
FIBANZ, QPIB

Grant is the founder of Herbert Insurance Group Limited and has been in the Insurance Industry for more than 30 years - both as an underwriter and as a practising Insurance broker.  His experience covers the full spectrum of the insurance market; from simple  Domestic and Commercial covers to the more complicated Financial Risks products. Grant is a Fellow of the Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand Inc, and has a valuable network of contacts at Lloyd's of London, one of the world's best known insurance markets. He is a past president of the Rotary Club of Whitford and a 1996 "Paul Harris Fellow" - Rotary's highest award.

Key Areas of Expertise:  Mortgage Indemnity, Financial Risk, Marine, Development of New Insurance Products, Major Commercial Client Servicing, Lloyd's of London placements.

e: grant@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t: +64 9 336 7676
f: +64 9 379 9767

Tony Christian

Chief Executive Officer, Australia
FNIBA, Dip. Advanced Diploma Financial Services
ANZIIF (Sen. Assoc.) CIP 

Born in Auckland, Tony has worked in the Insurance Industry since 1962. Initially he was an Underwriter but moved quickly to become Branch Manager and General Manager.  He has global experience including periods in New Zealand, London, Asia and the Pacific.  For the last 20 years Tony has worked in the Reinsurance and Retail Broking market in Australia. Tony was a founder member of Rotary Suva North, and subsequently a member in both Saipan and Manila.

His interests, apart from following Rugby & Cricket, include Golf which he loves but which he gets more shots at than most!

Key Areas of Expertise: Commercial & Liability, Financial Risk, Travel, Marine, Personal & Rural, Major Client Servicing - Australia

e:  tonyc@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:  +61 7 5556 6100
d: +61 7 5556 6101
f:  +61 7 5503 0220

Senior Brokers

Alan Wilson

Senior Broker
FIBANZ, QPIB, NZIM

Alan specialises in Commercial lines, managing a significant book of large Commercial clients, along with overseas insurance placement and “complex” risks.

Key Areas of Expertise:  General; Commercial Assets Income & Liability; Overseas Placements;Complex Placements

e: alan@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t: +64 9 336 7678
f  +64 9 379 9767

Shona Solomone

Senior Broker  

Shona specialises in looking after our Corporate clients.  With experience across the globe, including time at Lloyd's of London, Shona has all the right credentials to make the corporate client base understand the value Herberts' brings.

Key Areas of Expertise:  Commercial Assets Income & Liability

e:  shona@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:  +64 9 966 3661
f:  +64 9 379 9767

Ian Weatherley

Senior Broker

With 13 years in the financial services sector, working with some top companies, Ian is very experienced at tailoring the right solutions to fit the situation. Experienced in Life and Medical, as well as Commercial and Liability, Ian is an all rounder. A personable and articulate professional, Ian relishes the challenges of effective delivery and is a great team player. With eclectic interests that include opera, reading, scuba diving, computers and financial matters to name a few, Ian demonstrates an innate ability to understand and participate in any new situation that gets presented to him.

Key Areas of Expertise: Commercial Assets Income & Liability, Rural

e: ian@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t: +64 9 966 3667
f: +64 9 379 9767 

Demelza Midgley

Senior Broker 

With almost ten years experience in the Insurance industry Demelza is an integral part of the team with her main focus being our wholesale insurance department which means she deals with retail brokers throughout New Zealand as well as Norfolk Island. 

 

Key Areas of Expertise:  Wholesale

e:  demelza@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:  +64 9 336 7688
f:  +64 9 379 9767 

Yvette Stralen

Senior Broker
ANZIIF

Yvette is a seasoned professional with over 15 years in the industry who specialises in all areas of Fire and General Insurance.  She has a wealth of experience, including  6 years with a Lloyd's broker in London and prides herself on providing an exceptionally high level of knowledge and service.

Key Areas of Expertise: Commercial Assets Income & Liability

e:  yvette@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:  +64 9 966 3665
f:  +64 9 379 9767

Nek Mohammed

Senior Broker

Nek joined the insurance business some 35 years ago in Melbourne. Subsequently moving to Suva, Nek was responsible for building and managing the business there which he quickly built to a highly successful operation covering all of Fiji. In New Zealand since 1987, Nek specialises in introducing newly immigrated clients to the ‘Herberts’ experience’.

Key Areas of Expertise: Commercial Rural and Domestic

e: broker@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t: +64 9 379 9757
f: +64 9 379 9767

Phil Mitchell

Senior Broker

With several years experience as an Underwriter and Account Executive, Phil has proven himself an 'all-rounder'.  He loves to solve problems in a creative way and particularly enjoys a challenge.  With an enduring sense of humour and a team player's attitude, Phil uses his common sense and professionalism for the best advantage of both clients and colleagues.

 

Key Areas of Expertise:  Commercial Assets income & Liability, Domestic

e:  broker@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:   +64 9 336 7671
f:   +64 9 379 9767 

John Watt

Independent Consultant 

John is an independent broker who advises our top corporate clients in the specialist area of Life Insurance, Trauma Cover, Permanent Disablement Cover, Income Protection, Keyperson Insurance and Shareholder Protection.  His extensive research over the years gives John real insight into the 'life' business and with over 18 years in the industry, John is a specialist who is well placed to obtain quotes from all major companies. 

Key Areas of Expertise:  Life & Income Protection

e:  toppolicy@ihug.co.nz
t:  +64 9 336 7679
f:  +64 9 379 9767  

Kane Butler

Senior Broker

With over 12 years' experience in the insurance industry Kane is well placed to provide broking assistance to Yvette Stralen's portfolio of clients whilst she is on Maternity Leave.  Kane has gained solid experience as both an underwriter and broker in both the SME and corporate markets.  He brings to the Herberts team specialist skills and experience in devleoping schemes and holistic insurance solutions and has a special interest in creating specialised packages for specific industries or groups.  He is a keen sportsman both playing and watching a wide variety of sports.  He is currently the president of the HBC Sharks softball club.

Key areas of expertise:   Commercial Assets Income & Liability

e:  kane@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:   +64 9 336 7672
f:   +64 9 379 9767  

Underwriting

Michael Edgell

Marine Underwriting Manager

As Manager of our Herbert Marine division, Michael is not only a man with many years experience in this particular industry; he also has a passion for water sports, especially sailing, that makes his business his pleasure.  Over 20 years Michael has been involved in insuring Round the World yachts, Sydney-Hobart race boats and yacht entrants in the World Championship regattas.  At the other end of the scale he's quite happy to insure your 'tinnie'!  In his 31 years in total in this business, Michael has seen virtually everything and makes sure that wealth of experience is used to your benefit.

Key Areas of Expertise:  Marine

e:  michael@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:  +64 9 966 3660
f:  +64 9 379 9767 

Shirley Goodare

Liability Underwriting Manager
ANZIIF

Shirley's position sees her undertake a number of roles. As Underwriting Manager she looks after the Lloyd’s of London General Liability (encompassing Statutory Liability and Employers Liability) and Professional Liability Insurance Binder.  Shirley also provides assistance to the Manager of Financial Lines Division, covering Loan Defaults Management, Over Limit Loan Applications, Policy Issuance and Policy Administration; as well as obtaining quotes internationally for Specialty Insurance Products.

Key Areas of Expertise: Financial Risk

e:  shirley@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:  +64 9 336 7687
f:  +64 9 379 9767

Karl Baylis

Motor and Property Underwriter
ANZIIF (Snr Assoc)

Karl joined Herberts in November 2008.  He is our Motor and Property Underwriter and holds over five year's experience in the insurance industry.  Prior to joining Herberts he worked as a broker and Team Leader for one of the world's largest International Brokers, both in Auckland and Dunedin.  Karl also assists our Managing Director on various "Special Insurance Projects".  He is a keen cricketer and snowboarder. 

Key Area of Expertise:  Motor and Travel

e:  karlb@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:  +64 9 966 3662
f:  +64 9 379 9767

 
 

Broker Assistants/Trainee Brokers

Lianne Stanners

Broker Assistant

Lianne ensures continuity and quality of service to our clients by providing a back-up and support service to our  Brokers.  Lianne will be able to assist whenever one of our Brokers is out of reach, for whatever reason, ensuring your requirements are met in a timely manner.  Lianne has worked for both Insurers and a Broking House prior to joining Herbert Insurance Group.

Key Area of Expertise:  Travel,

e:  lianne@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:  +64 9 336 7684
f:  +64 9 379 9767

Anne Russell 

Broker 
 
Anne acts as a Broker within the Herbert's general broking team. Her role ensures that there is a high level of client service continuity between Broking and our clients.  Her responsibilities include responding to phone enquiries, organising quotes and placement of insurance for both Domestic and Commercial clients.  

Key Area of Expertise:  Domestic

e:  anne@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:  +64 9 336 7689
f:   +64 9 379 9767  

Sanni Robertson 

Broker Assistant

Sanni is a busy lady, working closely with several brokers.  With over five years experience in the industry in both international and NZ broking houses, Sanni provides excellent assistance to her brokers.  Originally hailing from Finland, Sanni adds another dimension to our international team.
 
e:  sanni@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:  +64 9 966 3682
f:  +64 9 379 9767

Shalini Dmello

Broker Assistant

Shalini acts as a Broker Assistant to our General Broking Team.   aking advantage of over 9 years experience in the insurance industry, Shalini brings a wealth of skills and experience to her role to ensure a high level of advocacy for her clients and continuity for the broking team .  Her responsibilities include responding to phone enquiries, processing and obtaining quotes from Insurance Companies and placing insurance for Fire and General Business.

e. shalini@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t. +64 9 336 7680
f. +64 9 379 9767

Administration

Di Mangos

Office Administrator
NZQA Certificate in Customer Service, Lvl 3

Di has what every Receptionist should have, a winning personality and a total commitment to customer service.  Hailing from the south of the South Island, Di has the legendary friendliness of 'Mainlanders' and an independent spirit that sees her looking to think outside the square to satisfy customer requests.

e: di@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t: +64 9 379 9757
f: +64 9 379 9767 

ROchelle NaylEr

Operations Manager

Rochelle's role as Operations Manager encompasses overseeing a variety of functions within the business including Systems and Technical Administration; management of the reporting to the “Binders”; and the management, administratration  and reporting process of Lloyd’s of London placements. She has been in the Insurance industry since 1989 and is experienced in Commercial, Domestic and Marine underwriting, broking and claims operations.  e: rochelle@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t: +64 9 336 7670
f :+64 9 379 9767 

Cheri McHardy

Executive Assistant

Cheri brings a pragmatic approach to the administration of Mortgage Indemnity Insurance, Special Projects and Lloyd's of London placements. She also assists the Operations Manager including assisting with  the reporting to Binders.

e  cheri@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t: +64 9 336 7673
f: +64 9 379 9767 

Paula Savill

Executive Assistant

Paula is the Executive Assistant to Grant Herbert.  Amongst her many varied responsibilities she also provides support to the Operations Manager in relation to office and system administration.

e. paula@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t: +64 9 966 3663
f: +64 9 379 9767 

 

Jennifer Sims

Credit Control

With over 10 years in office management and clerical experience, Jennifer skilfully manages the Credit Control portfolio as well as the coordination of our premium funding operations. 

e:  jennifer@herbertinsurancegroup.com 
t : +64 9 336 7675
f : +64 9 379 9767

Claims

amanda penberthy

Senior Claims Handler

Amanda has over ten years claims experience gained both here and in South Africa. Amanda has a dedication to settling claims as quickly and efficiently as possible so our clients are not inconvenienced in any way. Her expertise extends from Domestic to Commercial and she brings a real passion to the claims team.

e:  claims@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:  +64 9 336 7681
f:  +64 9 379 9767

EMMA Macadie

Senior Claims Handler
ANZIFF (Snr Assoc)

With seven years'  insurance experience dealing with Claims handling, Emma's sole focus is to ensure that her clients receive a claims "experience" which is seamless, professional and memorable.  With a fun, cheerful personality, good sense of humour and consistently optimistic, Emma has no problem in achieving her objectives.  She enjoys reading, music, watching sports (especially rugby and soccer) and spending time with her family.

e:  claims@herbertinsurancegroup.com
t:  +64 9 336 7674
f:  +64 9 379 9767

 

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