Richard Penberthy – Director, Fire & General

   Email: richard@penberthy.co.nz           

On graduation from Auckland University, I joined the graduate program at Ernst & Young within the Audit team and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. After a successful four years at Ernst & Young, I then spent three years working in London within the finance sector of the media and marketing industry.

In 2004 I returned to New Zealand and joined the family business keen to apply what I had learnt from the corporate world to a local context. So, although I have an accounting background, I would never categorise myself as simply “a numbers man”.
In my role of Director, Fire and General my focus is on understanding the unique risks that each of our clients face and formulating a policy that will protect their lifestyle that they have worked so hard to achieve.

From a “bigger picture” perspective I work with the other senior managers to ensure that our vision of being a client centric company is understood and acted upon by everyone in the team.
My qualifications are:
•    Chartered Accountant
•    Qualified Professional Insurance Broker
•    Bachelor of Commerce and Finance and a Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting awarded from Auckland University.
I am also a member of the Insurance Brokers Association New Zealand.

Born and raised on the North Shore, I am a keen sportsman enjoying rugby, cricket, touch football, fishing and scuba diving.

John Penberthy - Director, Life & Disability

   Email: john@penberthy.co.nz          

On graduation from Auckland University with a Bachelor of Engineering in 2004, I spent three years at Civil Engineering company Opus Consultants where I was involved in the planning and management of roading construction projects on the Coromandel.

I took the valuable skills and experience I learnt at Opus and joined Penberthy in 2007 to head up and drive the Life and Disability Division. Together with Richard our goal is to provide a 360 degree service for our clients, seamlessly covering all of the risks that affect their lifestyle and assets, not only with regards to Life and Disability but also with respect to Fire & General and domestic insurance.

In my spare time, I can be found playing rugby at a competitive level, fishing, diving or on a cricket field – watching and playing.

Jeanette Venter - Operations/Claims Manager

   Email: jeanette@penberthy.co.nz          

I have worked in insurance for the past eighteen years. For seven of these years I worked as a Public Adjuster which gave me a wide exposure to various types of claims as the company worked on behalf of the Insured against Insurance companies. My claims experience covers Life & Disability as well as Commercial Property and Domestic claims. I Immigrated to New Zealand from South Africa in 2002 and started working as an Insurance Advisor with Steve Prater who at that time was an independent broker but who is now also at Penberthy’s.

I Joined Penberthy Insurance in 2007 and am now the Operations/Claims Manager, handling both the back office administration and overseeing the Claims team. I am a member of IBANZ and have completed my Diploma in Insurance (Broking). I am also a Senior Associate of ANZIIF.

Steve Prater - Financial Adviser

   Email: steve@penberthy.co.nz          

39 years since entering the insurance industry I am still passionate about insurance and enjoy the fact that under the Penberthy umbrella I can focus on giving top quality service, knowing that the back office systems and processes are all taken care of.

I had successful careers at both Security & General and NZI before setting up my own independent business Steve Prater Insurance in 1988, joining with Penberthy’s in 2007.
Today I am an Insurance Advisor for a broad portfolio of clients, many of whom are lifelong friends of close to forty years!

I was made a Fellow of IBANZ (Insurance Brokers Association of New Zealand) in 2005, and had been an Associate of IBANZ since1994.

Outside of work I enjoy touring on my motorbike, as well as watching sport and spending time with friends and family.

Grant Homann - Financial Adviser

   Email: grant@penberthy.co.nz          

In 2006 I began my career in insurance with NZI I working in Claims for eighteen months and then Underwriting for 18 months.

In October 2009 I joined Penberthy’s ,starting as Richard Penberthy’s support and am currently a Commercial Insurance Advisor. My qualifications include Dip Fin Services (General Insurance), ANZIIF (Snr Assoc). I am also a Member of IBANZ.

In my free time I enjoy all things outdoors including getting out on my boat for some fishing and watersports.

Shane Reilly - Financial Adviser

   Email: shane@penberthy.co.nz          

I have worked in the insurance industry since 2003, firstly for State/IAG Corporate Partners then in 2006 I moved to NZI Broker Branch in Takapuna. In July 2007 I joined Penberthy Insurance as Richard Penberthy’s support.

I am currently the lead Domestic Broker. In this role I look after all domestic queries in regards to house, contents, car, and travel. I have been studying for the ANZIFF Certificate of Insurance and so far have completed one paper.

In my spare time I enjoy most sports, particularly rugby, and spending time with my family including my young son.

Taryn Estcourt - Financial Adviser

   Email: taryn@penberthy.co.nz          

I  started in insurance in June 2005 when I went to work at NZI Direct in their call centre as a customer services advisor and after a while became one of the top sales people. I stayed with them through their change to Lantern Insurance and left in October 2009.

In January 2010 I started at Penberthy Insurance as I was more interested in the Broking side of the industry rather than the Insurer side. My current role is Assistant to Richard Penberthy & Steve Prater, and I am a member of IBANZ.

I enjoy spending time with friends and family. My personal interests include reading, glass painting and yachting. I’m also very fond of animals!

Regan Hudson - Financial Adviser

   Email: regan@penberthy.co.nz          

I have worked in Reception/Administration/Secretarial roles for the last 16 years, working in various industries, such as plastics, petrochemicals, IT and accounting.

I took eighteen months off to have my Son, and upon returning to work, stepped into the Insurance Industry, firstly as the Receptionist at Penberthy Insurance, and then moving up to an Insurance Advisor (Support) role after being here only 6 months.  I have been with Penberthy Insurance now for two and a half years.

In my current role of  Insurance Advisor (Support) I handle claims for three Insurance Advisors, from initial notification by the client, through to settlement. My focus is to achieve a positive outcome for the client every time. I also process overflow endorsements and new business for two Insurance Advisors.

My Qualifications & Memberships include being a Wife, Mother and IBANZ member! Out of work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, cooking & baking as well as watching home renovation programmes for tips and ideas.

Tim Jones - Risk Adviser

   Email: tim@penberthy.co.nz         

Between 2001 and 2005 I studied at Otago University graduating with a Bachelor in Commerce (majoring in Accounting and Management) and Bachelor of Tourism. I started in the Insurance industry in 2007 with ING Life as a tied Adviser.

In 2009 I left ING to take up a role with Penberthy's. I made the change so that I could become an Adviser who could offer a wider product range as well as developing my skills further. My current role is Life and Disability Insurance Adviser.

I grew up in the deep South, on a sheep farm and still take a very keen interest in the farm, and help out where possible (much to my Fathers disgust i like dealing with people more so than sheep).

I am the ultimate couch potato, watching all kinds of sport but do also enjoy getting out on the golf course.

Christine Osbaldiston - Life Administration Manager

   Email: christine@penberthy.co.nz         

I have 23 years experience in the financial services industry in both Life and Fire and General Insurance. I joined Penberthy Insurance in 2011 as the Life Administration Manager and look forward to sharing my experience with the team.

I completed my Dip.Bus.Studs (Fin.Planning) through Massey University in 2004 and have continued to attend industry training seminars and courses to keep up-to-date with the moving market.  I have been a member of the Institute of Financial Advisers (IFA) for 16 years.

In my spare time I enjoy community involvement with Coastguard Search and Rescue and contributing my time as a Justice of the Peace.  I also enjoy netball, badminton, tennis, tramping and fishing along with time spent with grandchildren.

Jackie de Bruin - Office Administrator

Email: jackied@penberthy.co.nz          

I have over 15 years experience working in an office environment both in New Zealand and overseas. I spent two years travelling and working in Ireland and the Netherlands before settling down back in Auckland.

As office administrator i am the first point of contact for people both on the phone and in the office and my focus is on providing friendly and efficient customer service.
My personal Interests are going to the gym, dining out, travelling and relaxing at home in my pj’s!

Rachel McLeod - Office Support

  Email: rachel@penberthy.co.nz          

I started at Penberthy’s in February 2011. It is my first role in the insurance industry. I am learning a lot about the industry through a great team of people. Prior to this job I was working in Sales. My current role is Office Support, and I help the brokers and the support team on the processing side of things.

Outside of work I enjoy reading, baking and dancing (but not at the same time!), as well as spending time with friends and family.