FEATURED EXCELLENCE AWARDEE
FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada
“I had a picture of a house, and the house was Premiere Mortgage Centre”
Kerri Reed,
Premiere Mortgage Centre
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EXCELLENCE AWARDEE:
Underwriting Agency of the Year
EXCELLENCE AWARDEE:
Underwriting Agency of the Year
www.firstinsurancefunding.ca
https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-insurance-funding-of-canada
clientservices@firstinsurancefunding.ca
1 888 232 2238
20 Toronto Street, Suite 700 Toronto, Ontario M5C 2B8
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EXCELLENCE AWARDEE:
Best Insurtech Firm
FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada
Stuart Bruce, CPA, CA
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
Stuart Bruce has spent over 20 years in the premium finance marketplace in Canada. He founded Insurance Pay Canada in 2001 (now FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada) and successfully built the finance management system, team, and broker network from startup to one of the largest premium finance companies in Canada. In 2007, after Insurance Pay was sold to an Australian-based investment bank, Stuart founded Policy Billing Services and was appointed CEO of FIRST Canada after the merger of Policy Bill and FIRST Canada in April 2014. Stuart is a CPA chartered accountant and holds an honours business administration degree from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario.
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
Stuart Bruce, CPA, CA
facebook.com/HeartlandBankAustralia
@brightenaustralia
Robin Barham
Leadership
1188 Whakue St, Rotorua Central, Rotorua
Ben Webster
Co-founder and Head of Product
Leadership
Ben Webster, co-founder of AGILE, is also the driving force behind other successful insurtechs like Insured by Us and SanctionsCheck.co. With decades of experience in founding and scaling remote-first companies across multiple time zones, Ben has mastered the art of managing diverse skill sets. He is also a co-founder of Insurtech Australia, further cementing his reputation as a key industry influencer. His multifaceted experience in both traditional insurance and technological innovation makes him a unique asset to AGILE.
Co-founder and Head of Product
Ben Webster
Nick Goritsas is a seasoned insurance executive with over 30 years in the field, focusing on operational and financial improvements. He previously served as CFO and head of risk management at W.R. Berkley Insurance Australia and was the founding CFO at DUAL Australia. As the APRA Alternate Agent in Australia for W.R. Berkley, Nick brought an extra layer of compliance and risk mitigation to the table. His proficiency in finance and risk management provides AGILE with a strategic advantage in these critical areas.
Co-founder and Group CFO
Nick Goritsas
Robin Barham brings over 30 years of industry experience to AGILE, having honed his skills at Lloyd’s Syndicates in London and Australia. Starting out in Marine and Aerospace underwriting, he later assumed management roles focusing on A&H, Property, Casualty and Financial Lines. His former positions include underwriting manager at Catlin Australia, regional director at Arch Underwriting at Lloyd’s (Australia), and MD at StarStone Underwriting Australia. Robin’s extensive background adds unparalleled underwriting expertise to AGILE’s leadership team.
Co-founder and CEO
Robin Barham
Robin Barham brings over 30 years of industry experience to AGILE, having honed his skills at Lloyd’s Syndicates in London and Australia. Starting out in Marine and Aerospace underwriting, he later assumed management roles focusing on A&H, Property, Casualty and Financial Lines. His former positions include underwriting manager at Catlin Australia, regional director at Arch Underwriting at Lloyd’s (Australia), and MD at StarStone Underwriting Australia. Robin’s extensive background adds unparalleled underwriting expertise to AGILE’s leadership team.
Co-founder and CEO
Robin Barham
@agile_uw
Robin Barham
Co-founder and CEO
As an independent, forward-thinking girls’ school we are committed to preparing girls for a lifetime of learning, leadership and engagement in our global community. We believe in girls.
At Ruyton Girls’ School we foster the individuality of each girl in a caring and safe environment, nurturing her intellectual, physical, social and emotional qualities that are essential to flourish.
Powerful learning is central to the Ruyton culture, building on our strong academic reputation. We focus on advancing the learning of every girl through the engagement of intellectual curiosity, building their knowledge and skills about how to learn, and supporting them to achieve their personal best and be exemplary citizens. We believe in real-world learning beyond the classroom, collaborating with the wider community to promote growth, discovery and sustainability.
We empower our girls to lead lives of purpose with courage, character and compassion. Through the development of values and action-focused learning they are inspired to pursue equity and justice for self and others. By embracing diversity and raising their voices, our girls effect positive change and make a difference.
Bellbird Park State Secondary College (BPSSC) prides itself on providing an innovative and inclusive education experience for all learners. Our college is extraordinary because of the incredible students, parents, community partners and staff who bring it to life each day. Since opening in 2017 with 212 Year 7 students and 31 staff, the school has been on a rapid journey of student growth and staff recruitment. BPSSC now has an enrolment of 1,800 students and 150+ staff members. Located in the aspirational, multiculturally rich Ipswich community (ICSEA 953), we’re exceptionally proud to be the school of choice in our community.
At BPSSC, we’re committed to supporting the success and wellbeing of every student as they transition through each stage of learning through our high-expectations, high-support approach. In 2023, 175 First Nations students are connected and thriving at our college. Our Many Pathways, No Limits mantra extends to all students, and we provide tailored differentiated, culturally appropriate educational opportunities for our First Nations students. Our approach to First Nations education is extensive, multifaceted and a whole-school effort effecting positive systematic change and outcomes for our students.
Bellbird Park State Secondary College (BPSSC) prides itself on providing an innovative and inclusive education experience for all learners. Our college is extraordinary because of the incredible students, parents, community partners and staff who bring it to life each day. Since opening in 2017 with 212 Year 7 students and 31 staff, the school has been on a rapid journey of student growth and staff recruitment. BPSSC now has an enrolment of 1,800 students and 150+ staff members. Located in the aspirational, multiculturally rich Ipswich community (ICSEA 953), we’re exceptionally proud to be the school of choice in our community.
At BPSSC, we’re committed to supporting the success and wellbeing of every student as they transition through each stage of learning through our high-expectations, high-support approach. In 2023, 175 First Nations students are connected and thriving at our college. Our Many Pathways, No Limits mantra extends to all students, and we provide tailored differentiated, culturally appropriate educational opportunities for our First Nations students. Our approach to First Nations education is extensive, multifaceted and a whole-school effort effecting positive systematic change and outcomes for our students.
Nick Goritsas
Co-founder and Group CFO
Co-founder and CEO
FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada (FIRST Canada) provides the Canadian insurance market with comprehensive payment solutions. Brokers, MGAs, and carriers can partner with FIRST Canada and expand their offering to provide more value, choice, and convenience for all their clients. The combined strength of FIRST Canada’s dedicated team, evolved offering, and innovative platform positions its partners to meet the demanding future of the Canadian insurance landscape armed with market-leading solutions for success. FIRST Canada is part of Wintrust (Nasdaq: WTFC), a financial services company with more than $59 billion in assets and a part of the largest premium finance companies in North America. Follow FIRST Canada on LinkedIn and X. For more about the company, visit firstinsurancefunding.ca
David Caringi
Chief Sales Officer
David Caringi has been working in the premium finance industry for over 20 years. In his role as Chief Sales Officer, David is responsible for overseeing the overall sales strategy and building key relationships with valued partners across the country. In 2002, David joined Insurance Pay as a Business Development Manager. David was an original partner in the launch and success of the company, contributing a major role in sales and marketing. In 2010, David was a partner in the launch and growth of a specialized premium finance service company (Policy Bill), which ultimately merged with First Insurance Funding in 2014.
Chief Sales Officer
David Caringi
Ben Webster
Co-founder and Head of Product
Ben Webster, co-founder of AGILE, is also the driving force behind other successful insurtechs like Insured by Us and SanctionsCheck.co. With decades of experience in founding and scaling remote-first companies across multiple time zones, Ben has mastered the art of managing diverse skill sets. He is also a co-founder of Insurtech Australia, further cementing his reputation as a key industry influencer. His multifaceted experience in both traditional insurance and technological innovation makes him a unique asset to AGILE.
Co-founder and Head of Product
Ben Webster
Jamie Ugarte, PMP
Senior Vice President, Business Solutions
Nick Goritsas
Co-founder and Group CFO
Nick Goritsas is a seasoned insurance executive with over 30 years in the field, focusing on operational and financial improvements. He previously served as CFO and head of risk management at W.R. Berkley Insurance Australia and was the founding CFO at DUAL Australia. As the APRA Alternate Agent in Australia for W.R. Berkley, Nick brought an extra layer of compliance and risk mitigation to the table. His proficiency in finance and risk management provides AGILE with a strategic advantage in these critical areas.
Co-founder and Group CFO
Nick Goritsas
Jamie Ugarte has been in the premium finance industry for over 10 years, with experience in various roles including account and project management. As the VP Business Solutions, Jamie manages a team of technical and project management specialists and oversees the development, delivery, and implementation of FIRST Canada’s technical solutions to our insurance partners. Jamie is a certified project management professional with a BA in political science from the University of Western Ontario.
Senior Vice President, Business Solutions
Jamie Ugarte, PMP
Stuart Murray has over 21 years of experience in the Australian financial services industry, specialising in credit assessment and mortgage underwriting. Prior to joining Brighten, Stuart was Head of Lending Australia and Responsible Manager at Resimac, where he was responsible for management of all aspects of Resimac’s Australian underwriting team. Prior to that, Stuart worked in mortgage credit assessment at St.George Bank and Bluestone Mortgages.
Head of Credit
Stuart Murray
Chris Meaker has over 21 years of experience in the finance industry with a focus on lending, business development and sales management. Prior to joining Brighten, he worked for La Trobe Financial, where he was an Executive General Manager and Head of Origination Channels. Previously, he worked for Pepper Financial Services Group as State Manager and Senior Business Development Manager.
Head of Distribution
Chris Meaker
Craig Thompson
Chief Operating Officer
Nick Goritsas is a seasoned insurance executive with over 30 years in the field, focusing on operational and financial improvements. He previously served as CFO and head of risk management at W.R. Berkley Insurance Australia and was the founding CFO at DUAL Australia. As the APRA Alternate Agent in Australia for W.R. Berkley, Nick brought an extra layer of compliance and risk mitigation to the table. His proficiency in finance and risk management provides AGILE with a strategic advantage in these critical areas.
Co-founder and Group CFO
Nick Goritsas
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