Staff

Paul Hines

Chief Executive Officer

Paul Hines is the owner and CEO of GSA Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd and has worked within the Insurance Industry for over 30 years.

Paul commenced his career with CGU, working in various Management positions, before leaving to join GSA as an equity partner in 1995. Paul has been CEO for over 15 years and became sole owner in 2007.

Paul is on the board of The Property Funds Association (PFA), Paul is also an active member of the International Young Presidents Organisation (YPO). At the 2008 (NIBA) National Insurance Brokers Association's annual Gala Ball, Paul Hines was awarded NSW QPIB Broker of the year. GSA has been awarded the ANZIIF Broker of the year in two of the past three years. Paul is Deputy Chairman and major sponsor of children’s charity, KidsXpress Limited which he co-founded in 2005. Paul is also an active member and supporter of St Vincent’s Hospital’s Curran Foundation.

Dr. John Hewson

Chairman

Dr Hewson has worked as an economist for the Australian Treasury (Census and Statistics), the Reserve Bank, the International Monetary Fund and as an advisor to two successive Federal Treasurers and the Prime Minister. His academic career included 11 years as the Professor of Economics at Macquarie University, four years as Head of the School of Economics at the University of New South Wales.

Dr Hewson's political career spanned eight years as the member for Wentworth in the Federal Parliament. He was Shadow Finance Minister, Shadow Treasurer and Shadow Minister for Industry and Commerce and Leader of the Liberal Party and the Coalition in opposition for four years.

Since leaving politics in 1995, Dr Hewson has run his own investment banking business and is an active director on the boards of many public and private companies (including GSA) as well as serving as chairman or patron for several not-for-profit organisations. He also writes a regular column for the Australian Financial Review.

James Telford

Director, General Insurance & Workers Compensation

James started his insurance career in the UK in 1997 before moving to Australia in 2002. After gaining invaluable experience at one of the largest brokers in the world, working with a selection of the top 50 Australian companies, he joined GSA in 2004.

James has recently been promoted to the board of directors and manages the general and workers compensation insurance divisions.

“It is an extremely competitive market with brokers doing pretty much anything to win an account. However, companies must consider the uninsured exposures that may be created by reducing premium and fees. GSA assesses the exposures and provides a tailored solution to ensure a client has the best cover available, at the right price”.

Nicole Mellick

Director, Business Development & Retention

Nicole has been with GSA since March 2003 initially joining our Workers Compensation Team as a Senior Account Manager. Nicole came from a background in Workers Compensation Insurance for Medium to Large employers with 10 years’ experience in this field. Prior to joining GSA her roles included:

• 3 years with a major insurance company, holding various roles during this time, as a Case Manager and Team Leader in the area of Claims Management and also as a Business Relationship Manager; and
• 4 years as a RTW Co-ordinator with a Domestic Airline managing the return to work of injured workers for all NSW and ACT employees.

Nicole's skills and experience to apply her past "hands on" claims management experience from both an employer and insurer perspective to provide strategic claims and premium management advice to her clients. 

In July 2008 Nicole joined our newly created business development team to work across all divisions of the company to target new business opportunities. In 2010 Nicole took on the role of Manager of this division and has worked continuously to significantly grow the GSA new business client base across many industries. In late 2013 Nicole was appointed to the role of Director, Business Development and has a support team of 4 responsible for all new business growth across the organisation, marketing, branding and client events.

Peter Hogan

Finance Director

Peter Hogan is the Finance Director and Company Secretary of GSA. Peter is a qualified accountant who has over 30 years accounting and management experience within several public, private and multinational companies as Company Secretary and / or Chief Financial Officer. 

Peter holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of NSW, has completed post graduate Company Secretarial studies and is a member of the following organisations: 

• CPA Australia (CPA status)
• Governance Institute of Australia (Associate)

Peter is a founding voluntary Director of the children’s charity KidsXpress Limited.

Peter at home: Peter lives on Sydney's leafy North Shore with his wife and five children, who tend to keep him very busy on the weekend!

Scott Curley

Director, Professional, Credit & Financial Risks

Scott Curley joined GSA as Manager - Professional Risks in 2009. Scott has been in the insurance industry for nearly 20 years, working in both Australia and London. His insurance experience encompasses both underwriting and insurance broking. 

Scott has worked as an Underwriter, Business Development Manager and, most recently, as Principal of the Financial and Professional Risk (FINPRO) placement division at a major international broking firm, in charge of placing:

• Major infrastructure Professional Indemnity
• Initial Public Offering (IPO) cover
• Large public company Directors and Officers Liability
• Financial Institution Managed Investment policies 

Having been both an insurer and a broker, Scott understands the holistic process required to place sophisticated insurance programs.

Carlo Gentili

Manager, General

Carlo Gentili, on the surface, is an extremely accomplished insurance broker, with 15 years’ experience in the insurance broking market, who consistently ensures the long-term viability of large private and publicly listed companies. He considers himself a “insurance mechanic” who takes an unhealthy program and makes an endurance athlete out of it. As such, he has produced healthy, enduring results for high echelon clients including major property funds, food and beverage and construction clients. But more than an insurance broker, Carlo is a person who influences and persuades top ranking people; whose opinion is highly sought after; and whose judgment is respected and trusted.

Carlo is currently the Manager of the General Insurance Division, his industry experience provides his clients with a comprehensive approach to General Insurance, with a strong focus on Risk Management. “I see myself as an insurance advisor ensuring I’m working with my clients for mutual profitable growth and being their first choice of contact for all insurance and risk management matters”.

Dianne Thomas

Manager, Workers Compensation

Dianne commenced her workers compensation insurance career in 2006 before joining GSA in 2011 as an Account Executive. Dianne has moved quickly through the ranks at GSA, progressing from an Account Executive, into a Senior Account Manager role working with some of GSA's largest national clients. Dianne's background in Exercise Science and Financial Services (Workers Compensation) combined with her direct experience within the industry has allowed her to promote a best claims management approach and a high performance culture. This approach eventuates in strong performance and great financial results for her clients.

Elyssa Johnson

Senior Account Manager, General

Elyssa has been with GSA since 2009 beginning in the area of Workers Compensation Insurance for Medium to Large employers. Elyssa has had 7 years’ experience in this field and prior to joining GSA Elyssa worked 4 years with a national insurer, completing her Return to Work Co-ordinator accreditation in NSW, VIC & QLD, as well as a Diploma of Business & Certificate in OH&S.

Elyssa has the skills and experience to apply her past "hands on" claims management experience from both an employer and insurer perspective to provide strategic claims and premium management to her clients.

Her industry experience provides her with a comprehensive approach to workers compensation, focusing on continuous improvement to meet the specific client needs across all Australian jurisdictions.

Gordon Tipene

Manager, Claims

Gordon is an expatriate New Zealander and has been with GSA since April 2004. He is responsible for the management of all claims for the GSA Group of companies. Gordon has a broad range of experience in insurance claims spanning more than 10 years, including:

• 3 years specialising in commercial claims at Lumley Insurance.
• 6 years with Norwich (NZ) claims management.

“At GSA we treat each claim as though it were our own; obviously we aim to achieve the best possible results.”

Katy Hunt

HR Manager

Katy joined GSA in 2009 after working in HR and Recruitment within Financial Services in the UK and Australia. Katy has been the HR Manager since 2015 and is responsible for People and Culture, Staff Engagement and assisting with building high performing teams.

Katy is part of the Leadership Team and also supports the CEO. She holds a degree in Sports Coaching Studies and a Double Diploma in Human Resource and Leadership Management. Katy is based in our Queensland office and assists with the development of our Brisbane portfolio.

Ryan Neary

Manager, Professional Risks

Ryan began his insurance career in 2001 at a major international brokerage before joining the Professional Risks division at GSA in 2005. He holds a Diploma in Financial Services (Insurance Broking) through the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) and is a committee member of the Australian Professional Indemnity Group (APIG). Using his years of industry experience and knowledge Ryan has become a highly respected insurance broker in both the Australian and London markets.

In his role as Senior Account Manager at GSA Ryan specializes in providing tailored Professional Liability & Risk Management strategies for a diverse range of Financial Institutions and Corporate Clients. Managing one of the company’s largest portfolios, Ryan continues to ensure his clients receive professional advice and comprehensive insurance programs which meet legislative and commercial requirements.

“It is of the utmost importance that a client ensures they are purchasing an Insurance Program that covers their business exposures in the event of a claim. It is my role as my client’s representative in the market to analyse their business, identify their exposures and put forward a risk management and Insurance program that is going to provide them with the most comprehensive coverage at the right price”

Gary Soyka

Risk and Insurance Specialist

Brett Clark

Senior Account Manager, General

Charles Galayini

Business Development & Retention Manager

Helen Li

Financial Controller

Luke Ricketson

Business Development & Retention Manager

Nadine Stack

Senior Account Manager, Professional Risks

Rocco Pirrello

Marketing & Communications Executive

Zareen Prasad

Account Manager, Credit & Financial Risks

Abbie Sabado

Account Broker, Workers Compensation

Alex Tay

Account Broker, Workers Compensation

Alicia Rose

Senior Account Manager, Workers Compensation

Angela Speranza

Claims Executive

Anita Lawton

Claims Executive

Antonia Johnson

Marketing and Events Coordinator

Areana Garner

Account Broker, Workers Compensation

Ashley Tanner

Account Manager, General

Barbara Cestaro

Manager, Credit & Financial Risks

Barbara Duvnjak

Manager, Finance Broking

Ben Rubio

Account Manager, Professional Risks

Carly Fisher

Account Broker, Workers Compensation

Dorothy Winter

Receptionist and Administration

Emma Fair

Assistant Account Broker, Credit & Financial Risks

Heidi Baltero

Account Broker, General

Jackson McDonald

Account Broker, Professional Risks

James Sharp

Account Manager, General

Jessica De Vries

Account Manager, General

Johnnie Keymer

Account Manager, Professional Risks

Justin Gendle

Account Manager, Workers Compensation

Lauren Harmer

Account Broker, Professional Risks

Luke Yates

Claims Executive

Lydia Brogan

Account Broker, General

Maggie Lee

Finance Assistant

Marcus Wallington

Assistant Account Broker, General

MariaTeresa Pirrello

Administration Assistant

Natalie Fisher

Account Broker, General

Nina Kavanagh

Finance Assistant

Rob Hickman

Account Broker, General

Rod Smith

Claims Executive

Sam Hunt

Assistant Account Broker, General

Sarah Adolphe

Account Broker, General

Sheena Truong

Assistant Account Broker, Professional Risks

Simone Longworth

Communications Executive

Simone Slattery

Account Broker, Professional Risks

Zaga Turner

Receptionist and Administration