Sage Spotlight Series: Meet Our Founding Director - Mark Gibson
Mark is the Founding Director of Sage Advisers & Sage Accountants, a Chartered Accounting & Financial Advisory practice specialising in SMSFs since 2004. Prior to Sage, Mark was a Director of Centre Re (1997-2003), an international reinsurance company owned by Zurich Financial Services Group, and was responsible for originating, structuring, and negotiating structured finance programs.
Mark also has 11 years' experience with EY in Melbourne and London, and deep experience in the Australian insurance industry as a non-executive director of Honan Insurance Group (2005-2020) and the establishment of Steeves Agnew Underwriting Agency in 2006.
Welcome Mark and congratulations on the new business! Can you share the story behind Sage Insurance and your decision to get involved in this venture at this stage of your career?
I have known Michael Fennessy for more than forty years and have worked with him previously for 15 years. Together, we know a bit about business and insurance. When the opportunity arose to start something new, we both felt committed and pleased to be able to work together, complementing each other’s strengths. Along with Jasmin Gabrielli we have great leadership and direction for our team.
You’re no stranger to new business start-ups, how would you describe your role in this company and how would you define success for Sage?
I have had a fair amount of experience in business start-ups in the financial and insurance industries. It’s always an exciting thing to be involved from the ground up. I’ve seen businesses succeed and I’ve seen them fail – I wanted to be sure this one had the best start possible.
I agree with what Michael said previously that our approach needs always to be courteous, considerate and diligent, focused primarily on the care we offer our clients. If we do this, we will surely succeed.
What are the major issues facing the broking industry? How is Sage addressing these?
The insurance broking business in Australia is changing rapidly with significant consolidation. I believe there is an important place for independent, non-conflicted advice with a clear focus on clients’ needs. As a nimble start-up we have needed to work really hard to manage our rapid growth and service provision, ensuring we work diligently to cover clients’ risks. Our clients are telling us they are being moved around in these major corporates, shunted from account manager to account manager, without due care. They don’t want to feel ignored and not valued, or not big enough to warrant proper attention. Sage is acutely aware of the need to value and service each and every client. In our first year, we are seeing tremendous support from our clients and this approach is working.
And finally, what do you envisage for the future of Sage Insurance?
We are excited to have just finished our first five-year plan. This looks to developing our vision of becoming a respected full-service national insurance broker that consistently delivers excellent service to our clients. Having been operating for one year now, I am optimistic we will achieve this, given our excellent start and the skills of our great team.
Mark is the Founding Director of Sage Advisers & Sage Accountants, a Chartered Accounting & Financial Advisory practice specialising in SMSFs since 2004. Prior to Sage, Mark was a Director of Centre Re (1997-2003), an international reinsurance company owned by Zurich Financial Services Group, and was responsible for originating, structuring, and negotiating structured finance programs.
Mark also has 11 years' experience with EY in Melbourne and London, and deep experience in the Australian insurance industry as a non-executive director of Honan Insurance Group (2005-2020) and the establishment of Steeves Agnew Underwriting Agency in 2006.
Welcome Mark and congratulations on the new business! Can you share the story behind Sage Insurance and your decision to get involved in this venture at this stage of your career?
I have known Michael Fennessy for more than forty years and have worked with him previously for 15 years. Together, we know a bit about business and insurance. When the opportunity arose to start something new, we both felt committed and pleased to be able to work together, complementing each other’s strengths. Along with Jasmin Gabrielli we have great leadership and direction for our team.
You’re no stranger to new business start-ups, how would you describe your role in this company and how would you define success for Sage?
I have had a fair amount of experience in business start-ups in the financial and insurance industries. It’s always an exciting thing to be involved from the ground up. I’ve seen businesses succeed and I’ve seen them fail – I wanted to be sure this one had the best start possible.
I agree with what Michael said previously that our approach needs always to be courteous, considerate and diligent, focused primarily on the care we offer our clients. If we do this, we will surely succeed.
What are the major issues facing the broking industry? How is Sage addressing these?
The insurance broking business in Australia is changing rapidly with significant consolidation. I believe there is an important place for independent, non-conflicted advice with a clear focus on clients’ needs. As a nimble start-up we have needed to work really hard to manage our rapid growth and service provision, ensuring we work diligently to cover clients’ risks. Our clients are telling us they are being moved around in these major corporates, shunted from account manager to account manager, without due care. They don’t want to feel ignored and not valued, or not big enough to warrant proper attention. Sage is acutely aware of the need to value and service each and every client. In our first year, we are seeing tremendous support from our clients and this approach is working.
And finally, what do you envisage for the future of Sage Insurance?
We are excited to have just finished our first five-year plan. This looks to developing our vision of becoming a respected full-service national insurance broker that consistently delivers excellent service to our clients. Having been operating for one year now, I am optimistic we will achieve this, given our excellent start and the skills of our great team.
Mark is the Founding Director of Sage Advisers & Sage Accountants, a Chartered Accounting & Financial Advisory practice specialising in SMSFs since 2004. Prior to Sage, Mark was a Director of Centre Re (1997-2003), an international reinsurance company owned by Zurich Financial Services Group, and was responsible for originating, structuring, and negotiating structured finance programs.
Mark also has 11 years' experience with EY in Melbourne and London, and deep experience in the Australian insurance industry as a non-executive director of Honan Insurance Group (2005-2020) and the establishment of Steeves Agnew Underwriting Agency in 2006.
Welcome Mark and congratulations on the new business! Can you share the story behind Sage Insurance and your decision to get involved in this venture at this stage of your career?
I have known Michael Fennessy for more than forty years and have worked with him previously for 15 years. Together, we know a bit about business and insurance. When the opportunity arose to start something new, we both felt committed and pleased to be able to work together, complementing each other’s strengths. Along with Jasmin Gabrielli we have great leadership and direction for our team.
You’re no stranger to new business start-ups, how would you describe your role in this company and how would you define success for Sage?
I have had a fair amount of experience in business start-ups in the financial and insurance industries. It’s always an exciting thing to be involved from the ground up. I’ve seen businesses succeed and I’ve seen them fail – I wanted to be sure this one had the best start possible.
I agree with what Michael said previously that our approach needs always to be courteous, considerate and diligent, focused primarily on the care we offer our clients. If we do this, we will surely succeed.
What are the major issues facing the broking industry? How is Sage addressing these?
The insurance broking business in Australia is changing rapidly with significant consolidation. I believe there is an important place for independent, non-conflicted advice with a clear focus on clients’ needs. As a nimble start-up we have needed to work really hard to manage our rapid growth and service provision, ensuring we work diligently to cover clients’ risks. Our clients are telling us they are being moved around in these major corporates, shunted from account manager to account manager, without due care. They don’t want to feel ignored and not valued, or not big enough to warrant proper attention. Sage is acutely aware of the need to value and service each and every client. In our first year, we are seeing tremendous support from our clients and this approach is working.
And finally, what do you envisage for the future of Sage Insurance?
We are excited to have just finished our first five-year plan. This looks to developing our vision of becoming a respected full-service national insurance broker that consistently delivers excellent service to our clients. Having been operating for one year now, I am optimistic we will achieve this, given our excellent start and the skills of our great team.
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