Not Another Boring Insurance Podcast | Brendan Gale & Matt Pugliese

Brendan Gale & Matt Pugliese

Brendan Gale and Matt Pugliese from Insurance Partner Solutions (www.insurancepartnersolutions.com) occupy a unique position within the Australian insurance industry. As they partner with both insurers and suppliers, they have a rare perspective on the challenges, innovations and people shaping the industry. Along the way, they've had the privilege of meeting and learning from some of the industry's most influential people. This podcast is them sharing those conversations, exploring the stories behind the careers, the lessons learned, and the insights driving the future of insurance.

Episodes

  1. Oct 14

    Andrew "Jacko" Jackson on Relationship Management, Tough Conversations and Taking Insurance Skills into a New Industry

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In this episode, hosts Brendan Gale and Matt Pugliese sit down with Andrew Jackson, better known across the industry as "Jacko", a 20-plus-year insurance veteran who built his reputation through repairer and supplier relationships, as well as managing large operational teams before making the leap into the telco world. The conversation digs into what it really takes to be a great relationship manager: building genuine connections before you need them, holding partners to account without burning bridges, and fronting up to the hardest conversations in the business, including the emotional, face-to-face discussions with regional repairers during panel changes, where a decision on a spreadsheet can affect an entire family. Jacko also shares what surprised him about switching industries after two decades, why stakeholder management skills transfer almost anywhere, and the career advice that stuck with him. Whether you're in insurance, claims, motor, supplier management or thinking about a career change of your own, this episode is packed with honest, hard-won lessons on people, performance and staying authentic while doing both.

    Andrew "Jacko" Jackson on Relationship Management, Tough Conversations and Taking Insurance Skills into a New Industry

  2. Sep 3

    Andrew O’Hara on Leadership, Career Growth, and Becoming CEO of RAC Insurance

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In this episode, hosts Brendan Gale and Matt Pugliese sit down with Andrew O’Hara, CEO of RAC Insurance, to explore his career journey from starting in a casual role in insurance through to leading Western Australia’s major insurer. Andrew shares the story of his time at Just Car Insurance, the unique culture that shaped him, his move from the east coast to Western Australia and the experiences that helped prepare him for an executive role. He also reflects on the importance of taking opportunities outside your comfort zone, building genuine relationships and learning from feedback and mentorship along the way. The conversation then moves into leadership, including the importance of vulnerability, transparency and leadership presence, what it takes to build high-performing teams, and how leaders can navigate change and increasing complexity. Andrew also shares his perspective on AI, including where it can create real value and why human judgement and responsible governance remain critical. Whether you're starting your career, aspiring to an executive role or already leading a team, this episode offers a candid look at career growth, leadership, relationships and what it really takes to succeed in a constantly changing industry.

    Andrew O’Hara on Leadership, Career Growth, and Becoming CEO of RAC Insurance

  3. Aug 20

    Paul Muir on his Career, Compliance Advocacy Solutions and Getting Expert Reports Right

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In this episode, hosts Brendan Gale and Matt Pugliese sit down with Paul Muir, Managing Director of Compliance Advocacy Solutions, who brings over 40 years of experience across compliance, risk and insurance. Paul is also an AFCA industry panel member, one of the three independent panel members selected to review the 2020 General Insurance Code of Practice and in our opinion, Australia's leading compliance expert. The conversation traces Paul's journey from starting in banking through to executive roles at Suncorp, completing his law degree as a mature-age student, and taking the leap to launch his own business (Compliance Advocacy Solutions) nine years ago. From there, we dig into what fairness really means when assessing general insurance claims, and what are some of the key considerations in the use of AI. Paul also shares his five essentials for expert reports, including true independence regardless of who pays, clear causation, plain English customers can actually understand, and experts talking to their expertise, plus why getting the scope of works right from day one can make or break a claim. Whether you're in claims, compliance, risk or business leadership, this episode delivers practical insights from one of the most respected voices in Australian insurance.

    Paul Muir on his Career, Compliance Advocacy Solutions and Getting Expert Reports Right

  4. Aug 5

    Alex Caruana on Field Calls, Skip Tracing and Four Decades in Mercantile Services

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In this episode, hosts Brendan Gale and Matt Pugliese sit down with Alex Caruana, Head of Commercial Strategy and Client Solutions for the WISE Group, one of Australia's longest-standing providers of field services, investigations and security. Alex shares his journey from landing a job as a process server, through to co-founding Express Mercantile from half a garage and building it into a respected industry leader over 27 years. He reflects on the lessons of decades in business, a partnership built on respect, and why authenticity is the key to genuine relationships and success. The conversation demystifies field calls and skip tracing, what they really involve, how they fit within the claims and recovery value chain, and the training and processes that have developed over time. From de-escalation techniques to identifying vulnerable customers, Alex offers a rare insider perspective on a side of the industry few ever see. Whether you're in insurance, claims, recoveries or business leadership, this episode delivers valuable insights into face to face engagement, integrity and supporting people through challenging situations.

    Alex Caruana on Field Calls, Skip Tracing and Four Decades in Mercantile Services

  5. Jul 16

    Aman Gaur on Australia's Electric Vehicle Transition, the Roll-out of Public Charging Infrastructure and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In this episode, hosts Brendan Gale and Matt Pugliese sit down with Aman Gaur, Head of Legal, Policy and Advocacy at the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), the peak industry body for the electrification of cars, trucks and buses in Australia. The conversation unpacks the big discussion points driving Australia's EV transition: the rollout of public charging infrastructure, retrofitting apartment buildings, making EVs affordable for low-income Australians, and the emerging potential of vehicle-to-grid technology, where your car can power your home, help your neighbors through a natural disaster, or even earn you money. We also explore the electrification of freight, the surge in EV sales, and why fuel security and hip-pocket savings are becoming just as compelling as emissions reduction. Whether you're in insurance, claims, motor or business leadership, this episode delivers valuable insights into a transition that's reshaping what Australians drive, and one of the fastest-moving policy areas in the country.

    Aman Gaur on Australia's Electric Vehicle Transition, the Roll-out of Public Charging Infrastructure and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology

  6. Jun 26

    Steve O'Brien on Building Clear21/iBodyshop, growth plans and upcoming AI innovation.

    Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In this episode, hosts Brendan Gale and Matt Pugliese sit down with Steve O'Brien, the founder and managing director of Clear21, creator of iBodyShop, Repair Connection and Clear21 Assessing. Steve shares his journey from the early days of desktop computing and DOS-based software through to building one of the most widely used collision repair platforms across Australia and New Zealand. He discusses the lessons learned from decades of entrepreneurship, the importance of listening to customers, and how a relentless focus on efficiency, reliability and innovation has helped shape Clear21's success. The conversation also explores Clear21's expansion into the UK market, the company's private equity partnership, and the next generation of AI-powered tools set to transform the collision repair industry. From AI estimating and voice-driven workflows to intelligent business insights and automated administration, Steve provides a fascinating look at how technology is reshaping repair operations. Whether you're involved in automotive repair, insurance, technology or business leadership, this episode delivers valuable insights into innovation, customer-focused product development and the future of the industry.

    Steve O'Brien on Building Clear21/iBodyshop, growth plans and upcoming AI innovation.
  • 6 Episodes

About

Brendan Gale and Matt Pugliese from Insurance Partner Solutions (www.insurancepartnersolutions.com) occupy a unique position within the Australian insurance industry. As they partner with both insurers and suppliers, they have a rare perspective on the challenges, innovations and people shaping the industry. Along the way, they've had the privilege of meeting and learning from some of the industry's most influential people. This podcast is them sharing those conversations, exploring the stories behind the careers, the lessons learned, and the insights driving the future of insurance.

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