Speaker: Gert Stander, Senior Business Risk Adviser
What is your name and role at MAS?
Gert Stander: Hi, I'm Gert Stander, Senior Business Risk Adviser for MAS in the Canterbury region. Helping our Members out with their business risk, their buildings, contents and some of the specialised items getting that insured and helping at claim stage when the need arises.
How long have you been at MAS?
Gert Stander: I've been with MAS for close to, 18 months, in November 22. I'm still loving every day of it.
What roles have you had prior to working at MAS?
Gert Stander: Prior to MAS, I've been a insurance broker for the last 18 years, between South Africa and New Zealand. The last 12 years in New Zealand
What does the Business Risk team do?
Gert Stander: So we at the Business Risk team help our Members out with advice with regards to how to ensure their assets, their buildings, contents, specialised items within the practice, their liabilities, public stature of liability, as well as business interruption, which is continuity after a major event, make sure that they keep afloat and continue being in practice.
What do you do in your role?
Gert Stander: My role consists of going out, seeing Members whenever we can having conversations with our Members, helping giving advice on how to set up policies, making policies fit for purpose. That is renewals, new business as well. Whenever there is a new practice being set up, as well as helping our Members when there is something that sits outside of appetite, how we can help them out through those areas as well.
Why is Business Insurance important?
Gert Stander: So business risk policy is important as we said, covering the assets, the buildings, the contents and so on. The places where our Members actually work from, making sure that if there is damage to any of those that it can be replaced, can be rebuilt. But business risk insurance is also important with the business interruption, making sure that our Members do have an option to continue after a major event, making sure that their obligations, financial obligations can be met if there is no money coming in, and making sure that they are viable and, and keep on practicing.
What hobbies and interest do you have outside of MAS?
Gert Stander: My hobbies and interests, basically stops and starts with my children. I've got two young daughters that is very active in sport. Football and netball, as well as, volleyball. So they keep us really busy after work and over weekends and so on. I do have a real interest in sport. Rugby, cricket, football as my youngest daughter is playing football. So just watching sport and making sure that my kids have the opportunities I had when I was younger.
