Get to Know Matthew - our Excellence Winner for Broker of the Year - Bell Partners

Get to Know Matthew – our Excellence Winner for Broker of the Year

Our Managing Director, Matthew Bates, has just been named an Insurance Business Australia Broker of the Year Excellence Winner; so we asked him 10 questions so you can get to know him a little better…

What do you love most about leading Bell Partners Insurance?

I love building relationships with clients and helping them protect their business. And I’m blessed to have a team that is just as obsessed with customer service as I am.  Maybe it’s because I hand picked them all, or it’s because I talk about it non-stop at the office, but the result is an awesome team who I can rely on to give the sort of service I’d be proud of.

What behaviour or personality trait do you most attribute your success to, and why?

I love building relationships with people hearing about their life, their family and their business. And because I have a memory like an elephant, I remember all the details that means I know every client and how to help them with their insurance.

And I firmly believe that no matter the problem, there’s always a way to solve it.

I heard a quote recently I liked: “If someone asks you what you do, tell them: whatever it takes!”

What’s the best advice you were ever given?

You’ve got 2 ears and 1 mouth and you should use them in that proportion.  I believe there’s nothing more importance in being able to solve client problems than really listening.

How do you prefer to start your day?

One silver lining of the recent lockdowns and working from home is that I’m starting each early morning with a really long walk, to take in the sunrise and really appreciate the beauty of the nature around us. It really clears my mind and gets me ready to start my day. Healthy body. Healthy mind.

What energizes you at work?

I genuinely get a kick out of helping clients in their hour of need and I think that’s what drives me to ensure they’re protected as best as possible against whatever life throws at them.  It means I speak with real passion about insurance and clients can tell I genuinely care.

What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?

I think the accomplishment I am most proud of was being able to meet the insurance needs of so many new clients, while also continuing to deliver the business class experience we’re proud of at Bell Partners Insurance for all my existing clients.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I’m not sure how hidden it is, as a lot of people know how much I love cars and boats, but I’m trained in defensive driving and have my boat and jetski license too. Next on my bucket list is my truck license so I can drive a big rig…just so I can!

What’s your ’sing in the shower’ song?

Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi.

When borders open, what’s the first place on your travel destination list?

I love to travel – both for business and pleasure – so I’m really missing that.  When the borders first open I’ll take my family up to the Gold Coast to have a much needed family holiday (we’ve rescheduled Seaworld 3 times so far!) and see my family up there.

What does being named Broker of the Year mean to you?

I’m incredibly proud to be recognised by the industry as being one of the best brokers in Australia.  But at the end of the day, what I find most rewarding is the direct feedback from my clients. Hearing how I’ve helped their business safely grow, or about the peace of mind I’ve given them, or the money I’ve saved them is what gives me the biggest rush.

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