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1. Welcome Nathan, and thanks for stepping into the Honan Careers Spotlight! First things first … as a child, what did you want to be when you ‘grew up’?

Like most teenage boys, I aspired to become a professional sportsman, having a great love for the game of soccer. It wasn’t until I was close to finishing my final year of school when I developed a keen interest in accounting and finance.

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2. You’re currently a Client Executive, and an invaluable member of  Honan’s Corporate Team. In 1 sentence, what does this role entail?

I provide close insights and support to our Client Managers, whilst also managing and forming new relationships with my own clients.

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3. You’ve been in your current role for a few months now, but your career with Honan started with the Strata team in November 2019. Tell us a little about your journey at Honan - where it started, and how you’ve progressed through the business since day 1 …

I joined Honan’s Strata team in late 2019, with prior experience in both Underwriting and Claims. Having spent a year plying my skills under the guidance of Kieran Drum (Honan’s Head of Strata and Real Estate), I was eager to gain exposure to commercial broking. Fortunately, a role became available and in January 2021, I moved into the Global & Corporate team. I’ve been lucky enough to work under some great mentors at Honan including Daniella Harvey, Alexia Poulos, Ben Robinson, and Brad Tymmons.

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4. Tell us a little about your personal education pathway/s - what led you to where you are now? How closely do your formal qualifications match your current career?

After school, I completed a Diploma of General Insurance, Diploma of Insurance Broking, and a Bachelor of Business majoring in Insurance and Finance, all whilst working full-time!

My dad works in the insurance law field, so I guess entering the industry was a rite of passage after spending a lot of time in his office after school. I always wanted to work in Corporate broking, so completed the tertiary education I knew was essential for excellence in the area.

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5. What inspires/excites you most about the work you do each day?  

Assisting business owners from various industries and professions. I have a great desire to learn, so each time a new client comes across my desk, I seize the opportunity to grow and develop.

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6. In the scheme of career progression, what is one of the most challenging obstacles you’ve come up against? How did you overcome it?

My most challenging career obstacles have come each time I’ve changed roles. Moving from Claims to Underwriting, and now into Broking, has meant I’ve had to re-skill and start from the bottom each time. Having said that, each challenge has encouraged me to grow. I’m thankful for these experiences as they’ve made me a better insurance professional.

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7. Noting career ‘success’ is often underpinned by leveraging strengths and superpowers … tell us, what’s one of yours?

I consider my emotional intelligence to be my greatest strength. Having a strong sense of self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, and empathy has placed me in great stead for early career development and growth.

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8. Magic happens when organisational and personal purpose collide. What is it about Honan that keeps you coming back each day?  

Honan’s desire to be a disruptor in an industry often known for its conservatism and ‘average’ reputation within the financial industry at large. I have friends who have become clients and have made comments such as “I’m glad to be a client of Honan, they actually make insurance look cool.” Statements like this reaffirm the alliance of the organisation's values and objectives with my own, which makes me proud to tell people I work at Honan.

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9. If you could share one piece of ‘career’ advice with your younger self what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to apply for a role because you think you might not be completely qualified or ready for! If you’re motivated and eager to learn, you’ll very quickly bridge any knowledge gaps.

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10. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live tomorrow.” What’s next on your learning agenda?

I have a strong interest in finance, so expanding my knowledge base in Financial Lines products is a current goal of mine. I’ve also toyed with the idea of doing a Post-Grad in Commercial Law at Melbourne University. The range of accessible insurer webinars, articles, and online information might see me park this idea for a little while yet!

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Discover more in the HONAN ON THE MOVE series