Meet the Team

Amanda Blackburn

Partner Affinity

Adding value to every client interaction is really important to me.

Amanda brings over 14 years’ experience in SME commercial, corporate, domestic and scheme broking. Particular areas of expertise include real estate and property professions, not-for-profit, aged care, fleet leasing, buying groups and professionals.

Amanda's industry knowledge and contributions have been recognised through her invitation to a number of platinum industry leadership programs. She is also the recipient of the Warren Tickle Memorial award, as the NSW / ACT Young Professional Broker of the Year.

André Louw

Chairperson

As the Chair of Howden Australia, it's my job to ensure we set exceptional standards

Andre Louw is the Chair of Howden Australia. He has more than 30 years’ insurance broking experience, specialising in financial and professional lines insurance.

Before Howden, Andre was Chairman of Marsh for the Pacific Region and for JLT for Australia and New Zealand. As an admitted Australian solicitor, he takes a particular interest in professional liability claims. He’s negotiated several PI claims of more than $100m each.

Ashley Grant

Head of Risk Consulting

Ashley as Head of Risk Consulting brings 25 years of asset valuation and risk consulting experience including a specialised understanding of resources, petrochemical, oil and gas, education, health and aged care sectors.

Prior to joining Howden Ashley has led teams delivering Risk Management, Valuation and Risk Engineering Services both locally and throughout Asia Pacific and the Middle East across government, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Carlie Griggs

Partner Corporate Risks

Carlie has over 25 years insurance experience with 20+ years at International Broking Houses. During this time, Carlie has worked on middle-market and large accounts across a wide range of industries and professions, with services including risk advice, program structure and design, marketing and negotiation, placement and claims.
Carlie is known as a strong advocate for her clients and the industry more broadly. In relation to the later, Carlie has held a position on the National Insurance Brokers Australia (NIBA) NSW Divisional Committee for over 20 years, and the last 3 of those years as Chairperson.
Prior to joining Howden, Carlie was a Managing Principal for Marsh Australia’s Corporate team.

Chris Sinclair

Head of Employee Benefits & Wellbeing, People Risk

As the Head of Group Risk it is my role to better protect businesses and their people against the increasing impact of non-workplace illness & injury.

Chris leads our Employee Benefits & Wellbeing practice, specialising in Group Life, Salary Continuance Insurance and financial wellbeing. Chris has worked in the life Insurance and people risk consulting for over 18 years, both in Australia and overseas. Prior to joining Howden, Chris led the Group Risk practice for Marsh, working with many of Australia’s largest organisations.

Christian Lombardo

Partner Workers' Compensation, People Risk

I help our clients navigate the legislation, premium drivers and market landscape so they can focus on the human aspect at the heart of Workers' Compensation, returning their employees to work post-injury in a safe and durable manner.

Christian brings 15 years experience in Workers' Compensation across claims, account management and consulting roles. He has worked across a variety of industries including aged care, community services, manufacturing and the education sector with support ranging from claims strategy development and premium modelling through to innovative programs that incorporate the entire people risk ecosystem across Workers, Compensation consulting, occupational rehabilitation, safety and training. Christian draws upon his extensive experience to set his clients up for success in establishing or improving their people risk programs.

Craig Harms

Head of Alternative Risk Management

In my role, I use data to help make new and fresh ideas possible for clients

Craig has specialised in alternative risk transfer for 21 years. Having controlled ops for more than 80 self-insurance facilities, he’s known as a leading figure in the Australian market.

David Welsh

Partner Corporate Risk

David has worked in the insurance broking industry for over 25 years, gaining experience in both the Australian and London insurance markets. He has strong expertise across risk analysis, placement, servicing and claims management of large and complex corporate clients across multiple general insurance and professional lines classes.
David has managed a diverse range of clients including large ASX listed Corporate clients and a number of large Faith & Not For Profit clients including Australian Christian Churches / Independent Churches and Schools, Salvation Army, Baptist Union, and Vision Australia.
Prior to joining Howden David has gained experience at Honan Insurance Group and Marsh as well as a number of broking and underwriting roles in London. He holds a strong client-centric ethos and strives to ensure that customers attain the best value possible under his management.

Gary Ward

Partner Affinity

My goals are straightforward – to get the best possible outcome for our clients, delivered in a simple and swift manner

Starting his broking career in 2007, Gary brings lots of hands-on experience in affinity, mid-market and SME offerings. He’s worked in various leadership roles, developing, servicing and enhancing group offerings for leading buying groups and associations, both national and international. He has particular expertise in the real estate and property industry.

Georgie Ahern

Head of Workers' Compensation, People Risk

As the Head of Workers’ Compensation at Howden Australia, it’s my job to make a complex line of insurance simple and easy for clients to control and manage.

Georgie brings over 20 years of experience in Workers’ Compensation. Georgie has worked within insurers across both claims and underwriting functions, with multiple jurisdiction exposure, and has spent the last 13 years consulting with clients, driving significant value into their organisations. Georgie has diverse experience across industries, working across construction, logistics, retail and the community services sector. Her experience supports clients through the effective design and structure of insurance arrangement, right through to across complex claims and injury management matters.

Igor Fijan

Chief Financial Officer

Igor Fijan is the Chief Financial Officer of Howden Australia and is responsible for all of the company’s financial functions as well as its M&A, IT and risk management. Igor’s career spans more than 25 years of varied experience in financial management, business leadership, operations, corporate strategy and information technology.

Prior to joining Howden, Igor served as the Chief Financial Officer for the JLT Australia and New Zealand business and was the Head of Integration at Marsh for the Pacific region. Before that, Igor worked at American Express in a variety of regional and global finance leadership roles.

Jacqui Milson

Partner People Risk, Howden Care

Jacqui is a Partner in the People Risk team at Howden Australia. She is an expert at uncovering people related risks in an organisations workforce and creating specialised solutions that drive cost improvements. Jacqui brings over 15 years' experience and in-depth knowledge of injury/illness risk and prevention across the Australian business landscape.  As a qualified and registered Physiotherapist and health professional she is passionate about achieving health and financial outcomes for organisations and individuals.

James Sharp

Partner Corporate Risk

James is a Partner in our Corporate Risks team with over 16 years of experience across both the Australian and London insurance markets. With a keen eye for detail, James provides his clients with a high level of customer service and technical support via risk identification, management and creative placement solutions. James has managed a diverse range of clients including large ASX listed corporates, Property Funds, Construction, Aged Care, Retail, Transport and Hospitality.

Kim McCormack

Partner Financial Lines

Kim has 30 years of insurance broking experience.  Working closely with clients to understand their risk and insurance appetite she provides advice in the design, negotiation, placement and ongoing management of financial lines insurance programs of varying complexities.  These clients are from the financial and commercial sectors, both public and private companies ranging in size from local and national operations to large global organisations.

Lyndall Ridley

Partner, Employee Benefits & Wellbeing, People Risk

I help our clients to have confidence in the way they manage the risks associated with non-workplace illness and injury.

Lyndall has over 20 years’ of Life & Disability insurance with 15+ years with global broking houses. Lyndall has worked on all areas of insurance consulting and broking including program design, market negotiation, transition and placement of insurance programs across a variety of industries and size (SME, middle-market and large accounts).

Marion Hall

Partner Affinity

Marion has over 25 years’ experience in corporate and construction broking, in Australia, the UK and New Zealand. She is responsible for the Affinity Building Industry practice for Howden Australia, focused on the building industry and allied trades, servicing both residential and commercial construction companies.

Matt Bacon

Chief Executive Officer

Matt is the CEO of Howden Australia.  Originating from the UK, Matt has spent his time in the insurance industry working in a variety of management, operational, business development and underwriting roles across both broking houses and underwriters in Australia and the UK. Prior to joining Howden, Matt was the CEO of Marsh’s Mercer Marsh Benefits business in the Pacific and JLT’s People Risk Consulting business.

Matt Cavallaro

Partner Affinity

The best part of my role is spending time with clients, understanding their business and harnessing their collective buying power

Matt oversees the design, delivery and performance of affinity-style insurance schemes for member-based associations, buying groups and franchise networks. Before Howden, Matt worked in senior roles for global broking houses and claims management firms. Matt has 20 years’ experience working with the not-for-profit, retail, motor trade, food & beverage industries. He’s also designed insurance solutions for both federal and state government.

Nick Chubb

Head of Financial Lines

It is a privilege to serve clients and we must repay the trust they place in us by delivering valuable advice, exceptional service and the best possible outcomes.

Nick’s extensive experience and expertise as a specialist Financial Lines insurance broker spans back to the commencement of his career in 1992. Since that time he has served a broad spectrum of clients in relation to their Professional Indemnity, Directors’ and Officers’ Liability and associated Financial Lines insurance needs. This includes many longstanding clients in the accounting, financial services, insurance, legal and property industries, amongst others. Nick also has deep experience in advising both listed and non-listed companies in relation to their D&O and broader Management Liability insurance needs.
Nick brings the benefit of his deep relationships with key insurers in both the Australian and London insurance markets to clients. As Head of Financial Lines, Nick has overall responsibility for the team in the Pacific region and in that capacity ensures that the best of Howden’s extensive capabilities both locally and globally are delivered to clients.

Nick Kouteris

Partner, Employee Benefits & Wellbeing, People Risk

Nick is a Partner in our People Risk practice, specialising in Group Life and Salary Continuance Insurance. Nick has extensive experience in developing and delivering market leading solutions to organisations and brings a unique perspective having joined from MetLife Insurance Australia and previously being a member of Aon Hewitt’s regional leadership team. Nick is also a Fellow of ASFA with significant experience in Corporate Superannuation.

Nicole Mellick

Head of Business Development

Nicole brings over 20 years' of insurance experience specialising in risk profiling analysis for large private and publically listed companies, associations and industry bodies. Nicole is responsible for client acquisition across Howden Australia.

Oscar Mark

Senior Associate Business Development

Oscar joins us with 8 years of experience in the insurance and finance industry. Oscar has worked broadly across a range of industries during his insurance career, however has a specific interest & expertise in higher education, high-exposure manufacturing, and transport.

Richard Wilson

Partner Corporate Risks

Richard has over 33 years insurance experience in both underwriting and broking roles in Australia and London. The majority of his career has been spent in insurance broking roles servicing large national and international clients and in the design, marketing and placement of insurance programs as well as claims service, contract reviews and advice across all insurance classes.
Richard’s experience encompasses a wide range of clients from small to large corporate to large multinationals and ASX listed businesses. He has been involved in numerous client sectors including large infrastructure/utility accounts, construction, manufacturing, retail and transport industries.
His strength is listening to his clients to ensure he understands their business and their needs and to then provide advice on the best solutions to manage risk whilst also focusing on coverage, cost and administration requirements. Prior to joining Howden Richard spent 7 years at Honan and 21 years at Aon so has a long history of partnering with clients.

Scott Curley

Partner Financial Lines

I have been entrusted to work with and represent amazing clients. The trust they place in me to deliver superior service and outcomes is humbling, and it is at the fore of every decision I make on their behalf.

With over 25 years’ experience in placing Professional Indemnity, Directors' & Officers' and financial institution insurance programs both in Australia and London, Scott has the necessary expertise and relationships to deliver.

His clients include many Australian Law Firms. In addition to his broking experience, he spent 10 years in underwriting with international insurance companies.

Seth Corthine

Partner Financial Lines

For every client it is about always ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Seth’s expertise is in placement, servicing and claims management for financial services clients. His client list includes some of the largest financial institutions in Australia, UK and Europe, along with many boutique financial institutions and financial services companies. Prior to joining Howden, Seth worked at JLT/Marsh for over 14 years and Aon before that. Prior to moving to Australia in 2004, he was with Miller in London for 11 years.

Stuart McKellar

Head of Commercial & Affinity

It is incredibly exciting to work with a diverse group of like-minded people to build a tech-driven, and highly collaborative, business focused on delivering outstanding client experiences.

Stuart McKellar has more than 23 years insurance experience with nearly 18 years at international broking houses. During this time, Stuart has held various management and executive leadership positions for State based and National businesses. He has also been responsible for the provision of all aspects of broking services to ASX listed, private company, government owned corporation, association and multi-member, clients from a wide range of industries and sectors. Prior to joining Howden, Stuart was Deputy Leader for a major international broker in the Corporate, Commercial and Affinity business, and a member of their Pacific Executive Committee.

Tom Flynn

Partner People Risk, Howden Care

Tom is a Partner in in the People Risk business and brings to Howden 30 years experience in the personal injury sector. Starting his working life as a Physiotherapist, he has now been involved in the workplace health, safety and rehabilitation industry for 16 years. Tom’s depth of knowledge and experience in both the health and insurance markets makes him a market leader in assisting organisations in creating safe workplaces, supporting staff to maximise health and productivity, and minimising the cost impact of people risk.

Shehan Peiris

Partner People Risk, Howden Care

Shehan is highly experienced in-house psychologist, specialising in creating safer systems of work with a proven track record implementing large scale enterprise risk frameworks. He is recognised by regulators and is collaborating with leading University Partners and not-for-profit think tanks.
Shehan is currently leading the rollout of mental health initiatives, training and implementation across Howden’s client base for the private and community sectors, to inform and transform the psychological health and wellbeing of their workforces.