About Us

Avatar is a specialist brokerage working with developers of innovative solutions for key world issues.

Our Firm

The principal goal of Avatar is to provide specialist insurance broking services to companies that develop innovative technology.

Our key advantage is objective, in-depth research on industry-specific exposures. Avatar understands the unique requirements of your industry & takes the time to understand the specific issues & challenges facing your business. Avatar’s notable expertise in the life sciences & technology sector aims to deliver real financial and business benefits.

Service

– Unmatched excellence in broking

– Specialised & dynamic placement skills

– Personable, collaborative & results driven service

– Extensive industry knowledge & experience

– Superior claims management

– Diverse alternate risk transfer expertise

Expertise

– Acts for 36% of the ASX listed Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences sector

– Market leader in placement for emerging risks

Experience

70% of our client base is derived from technology, life sciences, green energy & related service providers


Avatar is derived from the Sanskrit word avatāra, “descent” (of a deity from heaven).

In English, Avatar has multiple meanings:

  • The incarnation of a Hindu deity, especially Vishnu, in human or animal form.
  • An embodiment, as of a quality or concept; an archetype
  • A new personification of a familiar idea
  • An image representing a user in a multi-user virtual reality space.

The Avatar logo shows the Sanskrit symbol véda – knowledge.

The name and logo were selected because they represent our over-riding vision: “To be the very best in our field.”


Our Brokers

Josh Meyer

Josh is the CEO / Account Director who helps publicly listed companies navigate around complex insurance issues to deliver risk-transfer solutions. Josh has worked with Avatar for nearly 10 years. Before working with Avatar, Josh studied at the Ohio State University, earning a degree in Business Administration. Josh now educates clients on utilising insurance solutions to maximise clients' objectives. Josh enjoys being outdoors (hiking/running) and spending time with his family.

Alex Ferguson

Alex is the State Manager – Victoria and Account Director who helps client partners to ensure the endurance of their multifaceted organisations in conjunction with leading the strategic direction for the Victorian team. Before working with Avatar, Alex worked for over 15 years in broking, strategy and operational efficiency, primarily with complex multinational clients and dynamic broking organisations. Alex now partners with clients on how to manage their risk management and risk transfer opportunities to ensure in the event of an incident, insurance will respond. Alex enjoys playing tennis and reading and is passionate about professional styling consulting.

Tim Roarty

Tim is a Senior Account Manager, servicing mid to corporate clients' insurance and risk requirements, predominantly within the biotech, technology and mining industries. Before working with Avatar, Tim worked for 15 years as a Senior Account Manager and Claims Manager in the broking industry, with a diverse portfolio including design/manufacturing, food production, hospitality, national/professional sports and high-risk leisure. Tim appreciates that each client has its own risk factors, as well as an individual appetite to transfer risk onto insurers. Tim enjoys family camping and boating trips.

Lisa Chapman

Lisa is an Account Manager who helps the life science, technology, and innovative industries to provide clients with the products and knowledge that can serve them best and allow peace of mind. Before working with Avatar, Lisa worked for 20 years as an Account Manager and an underwriter in the insurance industry, primarily with corporate and commercial clients within various industries, including property owners, strata, construction, financial services and transport. Lisa now advises clients on how to manage their risks effectively and to understand their insurance coverage. Lisa enjoys spending time with her children and soaking up the sun with a good book and a glass of wine.

Conner Spicer

Conner is a Senior Account Executive who helps biotechnology and life sciences companies to manage industry-specific risk. Before working with Avatar, Conner worked for 5 years as an Associate and an Account Executive in the broking industry, primarily with property/construction clients and other large corporate clients. Conner now advises clients on mitigating their risk by providing specialised risk transfer solutions within the biotechnology and life sciences sector. Conner enjoys watching/playing basketball and spending time with his family.

Alana Sgarbossa

Alana is an Account Executive dedicated to providing small to medium enterprise clients with tailored and comprehensive insurance coverage and solutions. Before working with Avatar, Alana worked within the insurance industry for 5 years, before gravitating towards the broking space. She found her niche as an Account Broker, specialising in the commercial sector. Alana now advises clients on strategically aligning their insurance portfolios and programs with their evolving business needs. Alana enjoys long walks, practising yoga, reading a good book and spending time outside with her family and friends.

Elana Stroud

Elana is an Senior Account Executive who helps small to medium enterprise clients with insurance advice and assistance. Before working with Avatar, Elana worked for 6 years as an Insurance Consultant and Assistant Underwriter in the insurance industry, primarily working with construction professionals and SME companies. Elana now advises clients on their insurance needs and works to obtain insurance solutions for her client. Elana enjoys going to the gym and playing PlayStation 5.

Antoinette Casado

Antoinette is a Corporate Account Executive who helps corporate clients by providing insurance solutions to manage risk exposures. Before working with Avatar, Antoinette worked in the insurance industry for 20 years, both as a Multinational Underwriter for AIG and Vero and as Corporate Broker for Willis and Gallagher, primarily with large multinational listed companies, councils & NGOs. Antoinette now advises clients on multinational programme solutions and claims management. Antoinette enjoys travel, food and wine.

Sean Santiago

Sean is an Account Executive who provides small to medium enterprise clients with bespoke insurance solutions. Before working with Avatar, Sean studied a Master of Biotechnology and worked for 3 years as a graduate researcher and scientist in lab-based research, executing research projects that were aimed to study and treat inherited retinal diseases. Inspired by the biotechnology industry, Sean found his niche in insurance broking to leverage his science background to support businesses in this space. Sean now educates clients on employing insurance solutions to ensure they can continue to do what they do best. Sean enjoys endurance running and savours chocolate desserts.

Our Values

 

To be the best in our field –

As Knowledge Experts

We prioritise knowing our clients & their business; our client-centric focus provides our competitive edge in a complex marketplace, measured by optimal outcomes for the people we serve.

As Resource Providers and Partners

Our business is an extension of our clients. We centre ourselves on client-focused, collaborative relationships with a long-term perspective & build a foundation of value with reliable & knowledgeable partners. This allows us to simplify our client’s risk transfer experience & provide focused insights that help improve business performance.

As an Employer

Our people are our main asset. We invest in each other because we win or lose as a team. We want to support our employees get to where they want to go.

 

We do this through –

Collaboration with our clients, partners and peers

We conduct our business with complete transparency. We hold the company & ourselves accountable in all our practices. We believe that real collaboration creates respectful sharing of perspectives, enhanced creativity, greater efficiency, fewer misunderstandings, & greater trust.

Embracing challenges

Our clients work in ambitious and challenging enterprises; they deserve excellence & innovation. We strive to create the best client-centred program designs in the market, & our passion for our core purpose gives us the courage to reach beyond our comfort zone to try new & unconventional ideas.

Innovation and Empowerment

We are self-starters with a willingness to take calculated risks & find creative solutions to our client’s needs.  We work passionately to retain the entrepreneurial spirit that created our firm & encourage all our staff to act as leaders.


The Insurance Brokers Code of Practice

We subscribe to the Insurance Brokers Code of Practice.

The Insurance Brokers Code of Practice aims to enhance and promote the professionalism & standing of NIBA members & further increase community confidence in insurance brokers. It includes a set of service standards that guide insurance brokers who subscribe to the Code on how to act when providing insurance broking services to consumers. These service standards form the basis for the Code’s specific obligations.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about this important industry initiative, you can contact NIBA at www.niba.com.au or access the Code directly here.