The first half of 2025 has been a period of purposeful growth, collaboration, and learning at McKenzie Ross.
From creative team moments to professional development and international partnerships, we’ve focused on what defines us: Standing By Your Side, investing in Deep & Wide Expertise, and remaining Fiercely Independent in everything we do.
Each initiative, event and conversation this year has been about one thing: delivering smarter protection, stronger relationships, and sharper insights for the people and businesses who trust us most.
Here’s a look at how those values came to life.
By Your Side
Being by your side means more than providing insurance. It means showing up, supporting our community, and celebrating the people who make our industry thrive.
In a year of growth and evolution, our team took time to celebrate the connection which is the foundation of every successful client relationship.
We closed out the financial year not with spreadsheets, but with paintbrushes and laughter at our EOFY celebration at Pinot & Picasso.
It was a chance to pause, reflect, and recharge after another year of supporting our clients through challenge and change. Like every renewal or risk review we deliver, the day was guided by creativity, clarity, and a focus on the future, reminding us that strong advice starts with a strong, united team.
Wrapping up our EOFY at Pinot & Picasso was the perfect way to celebrate achievements and connect closely with colleagues while unleashing creativity! It was an awesome night filled with plenty of laughter.
– Declan Grant
2025 Variety Grand Final Lunch
We believe that connection isn’t just professional; it’s personal. Our attendance at the 2025 Variety Grand Final Lunch reminded us of the importance of community and the power of giving back. Supporting a cause that unites our industry for good reinforces our belief that partnership extends beyond business; it’s about showing up for one another, in every sense.
Annual Lawn Bowls
The spirit of connection continued at our Annual McKenzie Ross Lawn Bowls event, where clients, underwriters, insurers and our team came together for an afternoon of connection, conversation and (a little) competition.
Between bowls and BBQs, we were reminded of what defines McKenzie Ross: real relationships, built face-to-face.
“An absolute banger of an afternoon! Thanks to the McKenzie Ross team for hosting. Keen for the next one and ready to take my revenge on those who sabotaged us for the win! (cough cough team Luke)”
– Katie Thiessen, General Liability Underwriter at Berkeley Insurance Australia
Deep and Wide Expertise
Because the best advice comes from experience.
We believe continuous learning is the engine of exceptional advice. In the first half of this financial year, we doubled down on professional development, equipping our team with new tools, sharper thinking, and broader perspectives to better serve our clients.
We kicked off with a powerful training session led by Oren Jacobi from Insurance Training Australia, where our brokers and account managers explored practical ways to deepen their commercial acumen.
Through scenario-based learning and open discussion, the team refined their approach to complex placements and client service, ensuring that every recommendation we deliver is grounded in expertise and real-world insight.
In August we engaged Oren Jacobi from Insurance Training Australia to deliver a session on cross selling strategies in the insurance industry.
Oren’s deep industry experience as an insurance broker and his personable approach helps to simplify complex insurance topics and enhance our staff’s confidence.
His insights were practical, actionable, and tailored to real-world challenges, leaving staff equipped with tools to drive growth and strengthen client relationships.
– Luke Lalor, Operations Manager
That same spirit of curiosity guided our AI Strategy Session with Justin Kabbani, one of Australia’s leading voices on innovation.
Justin challenged us to think bigger about how artificial intelligence can support, not replace, human expertise.
He reminded us that technology should amplify the best of what makes us human: insight, empathy and creativity. The session left the team energised to integrate smarter, faster tools into our everyday processes.
And finally, our Professional Development Day and attendance at the NIBA Gala Lunch reinforced our commitment to staying at the forefront of our industry.
These moments of connection with peers and leaders across Australian broking reminded us that professionalism is about more than compliance but about courage, innovation and integrity in every client interaction.
Fiercely Independent
Because independence lets us do what’s right for you.
Our independence continues to be our greatest strength. Giving us the freedom to act solely in our clients’ best interests, wherever opportunity takes us.
This commitment recently saw our Director David Hendry and Operations Manager Luke Lalor travel to Singapore for the Asia Pacific Capacity Development Trip. The trip connected us with leading underwriters and insurers to strengthen our access to emerging capacity across the region.
The trip was more than a networking exercise; it was a strategic investment in relationships that will help us continue to find better, broader coverage solutions for Australian businesses.
“Access to Global Markets, with our Asia Pacific Underwriters, reinforces just how powerful independence is. It gives us the agility to find the best outcomes for our clients, wherever those opportunities arise.
For our clients with larger and more complex risks it’s important to have relationships we can leverage to structure the best insurance programs.”
– David Hendry, Director
That freedom to move quickly, think differently, and advocate fearlessly is what sets McKenzie Ross apart. It’s how we stay ahead of change, so our clients can move forward with confidence.
Looking Ahead
From creative celebrations to global collaboration, the past six months has reminded us what makes McKenzie Ross unique: a business built on expertise, independence and genuine connection.
As we look to the months ahead, our focus remains clear: to protect our clients and release them from worry through smarter strategies, sharper insights and a partnership built to last.
Because no matter where the world moves next, McKenzie Ross will always be By Your Side, with Deep & Wide Expertise, and Fiercely Independent in our pursuit of what’s best for you.
