Six months into his role as CEO of Gallagher Australia, Alex Lumby says one of the most rewarding aspects has been meeting colleagues and clients across the country and hearing firsthand about what's shaping Australian businesses.
With more than 30 years' experience in the insurance industry, Alex was already familiar with Gallagher's reputation and market presence. What has stood out most is the depth of expertise across the business and the strength of its culture.
"The scale of the business is impressive, but what has stood out most is the quality of our people and the depth of expertise across the organisation," Alex says.
"It is rare to find an organisation of this size that remains so connected to its values. Gallagher combines the capability and resources of a global organisation with a culture grounded in relationships, collaboration and long-term thinking."
Through conversations with clients and colleagues, Alex has observed a common theme emerging across industries: risk is becoming increasingly interconnected.
"Cyber threats, workforce pressures, economic uncertainty, technology and regulation are no longer issues that can be considered in isolation," he says. "Organisations are navigating multiple challenges simultaneously, which requires a broader approach to resilience and decision-making."
As a result, expectations of insurance brokers are changing, with organisations increasingly seeking advice and insight rather than simply insurance placement.
Alex believes Gallagher is well positioned to meet those expectations through its combination of local relationships, specialist expertise and global capability.
"What I believe makes Gallagher unique is that no matter where a client is located, they're connected to someone who really understands their business, while also having access to the expertise, resources and insights of a global organisation," he says.
As Gallagher approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027, Alex says his first six months have reinforced why the organisation has remained successful.
"What has impressed me most is that Gallagher hasn't lost sight of who it is," he says. "The strength of our culture, the expertise of our people and our focus on long-term relationships are just as important today as they've ever been."
"As we approach our 100th year, we're continuing to build on that legacy. That means investing in our people and specialist expertise while also growing through acquisitions that strengthen our capabilities. It's a model that has served Gallagher well for decades and positions us strongly for the future."
