Kieran Volpe, Karen Hardy and Meghan Davies.

​NQIB is happy to announce the recent acquisition of the longstanding and reputable Tully based ACME Insurance Brokers. In doing so, NQIB have reaffirmed their commitment to the Cassowary Coast region, having also opened an office in Innisfail in 2020.
 
Industry legend Karen Hardy, who started ACME in the late 1990’s, will stay on with NQIB in the Tully office, and continue to offer her client base the same level of knowledge and expertise that ACME clients have come to know and love over the years.
 
Commenting on the merger, Karen said “The time was right for me to make this move, I’ll now have the support of 40 staff and a dedicated claims team behind me. It made sense to merge with NQIB as, like ACME, they are a regional based broker, and have the same commitment to ensuring clients receive top service and best bang for their buck in a climate where insurance premiums and even obtaining cover can be difficult in our part of the world. I'm still working, I’m not going anywhere, the office hours and location will remain the same, just with a different logo on the front door”.
 
The merge, while challenging at times, has been very successful and we are looking forward to what the future brings for all involved.  With Karen continuing in her vital role of Account Manager, we are fortunate that she is now supported by a dedicated team of professionals.
 
Kieran Volpe - FNQ Area Manager/Account Manager (pictured) – Kieran will provide Karen with much needed back up.  He regularly travels from Ingham to Cairns and everywhere in between visiting clients and can often be found in our Innisfail and Tully offices.  If you ever want to have a chat with him, please do not hesitate to call and find out when he will be through next.
 
NQIB Claims – At NQIB we have a dedicated Claims Team, headed by the 2023 NIBA Claims Broker of the Year, our Claims Manager, Charmaine Field.  Charmaine and her team, Isabelle, Hayley, Bethany and Campbell, have taken over the management of all existing claims and are working through them with the aim of getting each claim settled as promptly as possible while working to get the best outcome for our clients. 
 
Charlie Robinson – Charlie is our main Cassowary Coast Team Broking Support Officer.  If you have any questions about your renewal, need a Certificate of Currency, need to make some changes or just need some clarification on something in relation to your policy, please do not hesitate to talk to Charlie. 
 
Meghan Davies (pictured) – Based in our Innisfail office, Meghan will be your go to for all domestic insurance enquiries.  Anything Home, Contents, Landlords, Private Motor, Boat or Caravan, Meghan will be your contact. 
 
Elayna White & Rachel Hallam – will generally work behind the scenes but from time to time you may hear from them or speak to them in relation to your renewal, for any quotes you have requested, for changes you may need to make or for payment matters.
 
Samantha Baker - Sam will be our new receptionist & broking support officer in the Tully office.   Starting on Tuesday 14th November, she will be your first point of contact at the office. 

​Kayla Farrell – Kayla is based in Townsville but has been heavily involved in the merge of the two companies.  As our Special Project Officer with a great deal of policy and procedure knowledge, Kayla has been instrumental in the organisation and management of this project.  She has also been the main broker, calling you to review your cover, before renewing your current policies.  In time, once everything is in place, Kayla will step back from this role and the Tully/Cassowary Coast team will take on these tasks.
 
We have also put in place a dedicated email address for our Cassowary Coast clients to use: NQIB – Cassowary Coast - [email protected].  This email address can be used for all Cassowary Coast enquiries and will be monitored by a number of staff members to ensure all enquiries are actioned as quickly as possible.  Your team can also be contacted on 07 4755 6160 during normal business hours.  In the event of an after-hours insurance emergency, you can contact us on 07 4426 2893.
 
While the above team members are the front line for the Tully/Cassowary Coast offices, they are assisted by the rest of NQIB.  We have offices in Townsville, Ingham and Ayr, staffed with experienced and supportive staff, available to help out when needed. 
 
A little bit of additional information about NQIB and some exciting changes.
Prior to this merge, NQIB became part of the Aviso Group, a national insurance broking group that provides the benefits of a national collective while allowing us to continue to deliver the trusted, North Queensland insurance services you know and expect from us.

​You can read more about this partnership and the Aviso Group here.
 
As part of our transition into this partnership, NQIB will be making some visual changes to our brand.  Following the ACME/NQIB merge it only makes sense that our new Tully office be the first to adopt the new look.
 
A new logo and some new colours will start to appear in your correspondence and on the front of the office.  Keep an eye out.  It will be bright!

NQIB has been providing Aussies with insurance cover for more than 37 years. We’re proud to be locally operated with offices in Townsville, Ingham, Innisfail, Tully and Ayr, where we live and work in the local community. We don’t just understand local issues, we’re affected by them – just like our customers. 

​In August 2022, we became part of the Aviso Group, a national insurance broking group that provides the benefits of a national collective while allowing us to continue to deliver the trusted, North Queensland insurance services you know and expect from us.  
 
We chose the Aviso Group because it was important to us to retain the independence to run and grow our business, while accessing support and products from a national collective. 
 
About the Aviso Group 
Aviso stands for Advice and Vision. Aviso’s goal, like ours, is to always maintain a local focus on customers and build stronger relationships with insurance partners through the power of a collective. 
 
The Aviso Group comprises eleven insurance brokerages across five Australian states who together form a national broking group. Each Aviso Group partner is a leader in their broking market, bringing years of experience to the table, with a team of insurance professionals committed to delivering great service. 
 
“We chose Aviso because they will help us nurture the businesses we’ve built and support us in delivering better insurance solutions to our customers. Over the past year, our relationships within the Group have grown and we’re very happy with the direction and freedom offered. We’re looking forward to growing together and leveraging the opportunities for our customers afforded by the size and strength of the Group.” Ron Bellert, Chairman. 
 
The Aviso Group combines 29 offices nationally, 300+ employees, $500m in GWP and includes: Aviso WA Insurance Brokers (Formerly IC Frith WA), Fitzpatrick & Co Insurance Brokers (VIC), Aviso Broking (NSW, QLD), Aviso Select (NSW, QLD), Acumen Insurance Brokers (NSW), Aviso TAS Insurance Brokers (TAS), Aviso Integral Insurance Solutions (VIC), Grange Insurance Solutions (WA), Australian Risk Applications (NSW), North Queensland Insurance Brokers – NQIB (QLD) and Arete Risk and Insurance Solutions (QLD, NSW). 
 
Aviso is part of the Steadfast Broker Network. 
Aviso Group CEO Craig Robson said, “We’re thrilled to have NQIB as part of the Aviso Group and feel privileged John and Ron have entrusted us with the successful business they have built, as we continue to support them to grow it, into the future.” 
 
The Aviso Group is owned by Envest, an insurance distribution network which invests in and supports innovative, best-in-class insurance and financial services businesses to achieve their growth objectives. 
 
Envest partners are well established in their local regions and each has a loyal customer base, dedicated staff and strong company values.  
 
For more information visit www.avisogroup.com.au and www.envest.com.au