The team at Tauranga’s O’Connor Warren Insurance brokers won the Small-Medium Broking Company of the Year award and was runner up in the Young Insurance Professionals Employer of the Year category at the recent New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards.
Director Eamonn O’Connor said was the firm was co-founded with his wife Anna O’Connor in 2013 and was now one of the fastest-growing insurance brokers in New Zealand.
“The awards reflect the efforts and accomplishments of all staff and confirms O’Connor Warren Insurance brokers as an insurance leader.” he said.“The support of clients and suppliers has been paramount in setting the course for such recognition.”
O’Connor grew up in Tauranga, left at 20, then returned to the city six years ago to set up the firm. He previously worked in corporate insurance broking houses around the world, including in the London and Dublin markets with global broker Marsh. He spent the last decade with British-domiciled broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson in their Auckland office where he was a NZ board member and senior executive before relocating to Tauranga.
O’Connor Warren’s client base is spread throughout New Zealand with 90 percent located outside its home region.
“We target particular industries, such as transport and construction,” said O’Connor, commenting in Australian insurance publication The Journal.
“Our structure also improves coordination and speed of communication within the business. We travel regularly, are nimble and accessible and we touch our clients consistently through various media platforms, such as offering comment in magazine articles and weekly e-bulletins,” he said.
O’Connor Warren’s growth statistics were unparalleled, and the firm had not relied upon the acquisition of other brokerages to achieve its success, he said.
“Consumers and clients… demand to be kept informed with clear information and advice around our industry.”
