The people are Angus McCullough, Bruce Oughton, Jo Mason, Paul Munton and Roger Abel. An Honorary Life Membership has also been bestowed posthumously upon Max Marsh who sadly passed away in July this year.
Honorary Life Memberships are granted to past or present members where the IBANZ Board considers a member worthy because of their position, experience and overall contribution to the insurance industry.
Angus McCullough is Head of Commercial Risk Solutions at Aon New Zealand. He’s been in the industry 28 years, starting with State Insurance before moving to the broker sector with Aon. He has held various roles at Aon and is now a member of their New Zealand executive team. Angus has served two stints as a IBANZ board member, having a particular focus on regulatory change and the impact it has on the broking industry, prior to the inception of the Regulatory Affairs sub-committee (RAC), which now includes legal and technical representatives from various IBANZ members. Over a number of years Angus participated in working groups, engaging with DIA, FMA and Chapman Tripp. focused on the introduction of FSLAA. Angus is a current IBANZ board member and joint Vice President (2023-2024). Angus continues to make a huge contribution to the IBANZ board and the industry.
Bruce Oughton has had a remarkable 50-year career in the New Zealand insurance industry. A staunch supporter of IBANZ, Bruce has consistently encouraged membership and facilitated valuable interactions by inviting IBANZ CEOs to present at Allied/Steadfast conferences. His career spans across organisations such as NZI, FAI and QBE, the insurance subsidiary of Fisher & Paykel Finance, before joining the broking industry in 2007. Bruce’s leadership was instrumental in developing the Allied network into a robust 31-member broker network. With Bruce’s guidance, the network flourished and expanded under the Steadfast name, showcasing his unparalleled ability to foster strong, prosperous and sustainable relationships among brokers and insurers. Bruce led Steadfast in New Zealand from its inception in 2014 until his retirement in 2022. His legacy of leadership, innovation and collaboration continues to inspire and shape the future of the insurance industry.
Roger Abel is a visionary leader who has made exceptional contributions to the insurance industry. His leadership and commitment to developing professionals makes him a deserving candidate for the Honorary Life Membership of IBANZ. Roger has been a dedicated member of the IBANZ Board since 2013, demonstrating unwavering commitment to the development and growth of the insurance sector. Throughout his career, he has employed, grown and mentored numerous insurance professionals, ensuring clients receive the best broker representation. Roger has been Managing Director of Rothbury Insurance Brokers for over 30 years, since February 1992. He began his financial services career in 1987. Just five years later he became a 50% shareholder in Rothbury. Under his leadership, Rothbury has grown from a team of three in 1992, to over 500 in 2024. Roger has also formed partnerships and consolidated various broking and underwriting businesses, supporting many business owner exit strategies while maintaining options in the market and continuity of service to clients. Roger’s visionary leadership has also been evident in championing the SCTP solution, which has significantly enhanced client experience and industry standards. Roger's genuine interest in people and commerce has driven him to seek opportunities and beneficial changes. His emphasis on culture, technology and net promoter scores has significantly impacted the Rothbury business and its relevance to clients.
Jo Mason is a pioneer in the New Zealand insurance industry. She was the first female to hold a senior role at a large broker network and has enjoyed a lengthy and impressive leadership career. In governance Jo was an IBANZ Board Member and also part of the remuneration committee from January 2018 until August this year. She has also served on the ANZIIF Member Advisory Board (NZ) and as a ANZIIF Board Member (2017-2022), ANZIIF Women’s Council Member (2013-2018), and IAG Group Diversity Working Party New Zealand Representative 2010-2011. Jo’s career started at NZI (1985-2004) followed by a stint in Australia with Allianz (2006-2007). She returned to NZI as GM for sales and distribution in 2007, then becoming GM, Corporate, Niche and Facilities, a role she had from 2010 to 2015, playing a role in the acquisition of Lumley General Insurance. During that period Jo was also instrumental in mobilising NZI staff around New Zealand in disaster recovery and risk mitigation immediately following the Canterbury earthquakes. NZI was awarded a special award for claims response at the Insurance Brokers Association NZ (IBANZ) Awards 2011. Jo rejoined Allianz in Australia in 2015 and 2016 before returning to New Zealand to become CEO at NZbrokers Management Limited in 2016. This is the position she still holds today. Jo has been described as ‘a highly motivated leader who enjoys pursuing and achieving ambitious goals’.
Paul Munton is a prominent figure and leader in the insurance industry. Paul serves on the board of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Insurance and Finance (ANZIIF) and chairs the ANZIIF New Zealand Member Advisory Board. Through these positions, he has contributed significantly to the advancement of professional education and industry collaboration. Paul is Executive GM of Broking Branches at Rothbury Insurance Brokers, an organisation he joined in 2015. During his career spanning three decades, Paul has held key leadership positions across broking, underwriting, corporate insurance and reinsurance businesses. His professional journey includes senior roles at organisations such as Lumley Insurance, Aon, Swiss Re and EIG-Ansvar. Munton’s leadership at Rothbury has been instrumental in expanding their branch network and ensuring operational growth. His focus on delivering a client-centric service culture has been a hallmark of his career. Paul Munton is widely recognised for his expertise and is highly respected across the industry for his contributions to both business growth and professional development initiatives.
Max Marsh, who sadly passed away in July this year, has been posthumously awarded an Honorary Life Membership of IBANZ. This recognises a contribution to the industry spanning 50 years. As well as being a leader in the New Zealand insurance industry, Max made a huge contribution to the broker organisations IIAA and IBANZ. He served the industry as a committee member of IIAA which went on to become IBANZ. Max organised many successful conferences and events during his tenure. In recent times, and as part of his commitment to ‘give back’, he contributed under a pseudonym to the Brokers Blog for a large broker network. In 2015 he was recognised with Crombie Lockwood’s pinnacle company ‘Legend’ award and in 2017 with an ANZIIF Lifetime Achievement Award. Max started his insurance career with Marsh in London where he gained valuable experience in the wider world of insurance. When he returned back home he worked for NZI, then Hickson and Raven Insurance Brokers which he went on to purchase, then forming a partnership with Norm Main and rebranding to Main Marsh in 1990. Access, Cornerstone and Main Marsh merged later to form ACM Insurance Brokers, later becoming ACM Ahlers when Paul Ahlers joined the company. That business ($100m GWP/100 staff/10 locations) was sold to Crombie Lockwood in 2012. Max worked on for Crombie Lockwood as a branch then regional leader for five years through to his retirement in 2017. Described as ‘ruthlessly efficient and always looking for a better way’, to many Max was much more than a business mentor; he cared about his employees and their families and was a staunch advocate for personal well-being and development. Max was respected by all in the industry which was demonstrated by there being standing room only at his funeral held on the North Shore in Auckland.
Full List of IBANZ Honorary Life Members
2024 – Max Marsh (posthumously); Roger Abel; Jo Mason; Angus McCullough; Paul Munton; Bruce Oughton: 2023 – Duane Duggan; Tony Bridgman; Ruth Steele: 2022 – David Crawford; Nick Cressey; Tony Butson: 2021 – Jason Smith; Craig Buckle; Allan Daly: 2016 – Richard Russell: 2011 – Guy Harvie: 2009 – Alan Morris, Murray Hall: 2005 – Colin Crombie; Don Grayson; Graeme Robertson: From CIBNZ – Pat Samson; John Richardson; Murray Hogan; Don Harrow; David Harrison; Denis Adam.
