Teammate Tuesday: Gareth Robinson, Commercial Account Handler
It’s been an exciting few months since I started my journey at McGrady as a Commercial Account Handler in April 2024. I’ve recently returned to my hometown of Saul, a place renowned for the famous St. Patrick's monument, after three years away in Belfast and Australia. Currently, I'm back home living with my parents and younger brother, so going into the office for work is actually a welcome break!
Before joining McGrady, I worked across several roles in law and financial services, but insurance kept coming up in my career path. I studied Law at Queens University in Belfast and worked as a legal analyst for a leading law firm; I held a role at the Department for Finance and worked in a mix of insurance, legal, and civil construction work in Australia, including a seven-month tenure in claims at Allianz Sydney.
What I love about working at McGrady is the friendly nature of my teammates. Everyone has been extremely helpful with any question, no matter how big or small. It's a broker that genuinely wants the best for its clients and prides itself on the relationships it builds. Even at this early stage, I've been exposed to a wide variety of clients and insurance products, which is invaluable for my career development.
The acquisition by Brown & Brown is an exciting development for me and my teammates. From the passion of our MD, Aidan, it's clear how important this acquisition is. It allows us to develop our services further, access new products and services and connect with an even larger pool of clients. I’m also excited to see the professional development opportunities that will come with being part of a truly global insurance firm.
Outside of work, I'm heavily involved in my local Gaelic football club, representing our senior men's team (though injuries and age are catching up with me!) and coaching the under-16 team. It's rewarding to pass on what I have learned to the younger players and prepare them for senior football.
I also follow soccer and golf keenly and love staying updated with current affairs through news and podcasts.
My favourite holiday destination so far has been the Bahamas. I stopped there overnight on a cruise in 2019, and it was the most idyllic place I've ever visited. An honourable mention goes to Barcelona, my favourite European city, but there are still plenty of places I want to see.
Working at McGrady has been a fantastic experience so far, and I'm eager to see what the future holds as part of the Brown & Brown family. The support and dynamic environment here makes it an exciting place to develop my career.