Tanith Jones

Attracting and retaining top performers has become an increasingly demanding exercise for Australian insurers according to Gallagher Bassett’s (GB) annual whitepaper: The Carrier Perspective: 2025 Claims Insights.

GB’s research revealed that 92% of Australian insurers report the shrinking talent pool is having a moderate to significant impact on their ability to grow and manage claims efficiently. In comparison, 72% of respondents globally reported the same, indicating Australian market conditions may be more challenging. Economic factors and increased competition are pushing employers in the insurance industry to reexamine their retention strategies.

74% of Australian survey respondents highlight enhanced benefits packages – like wellbeing programs and flexible work arrangements – as their top strategy for managing turnover. Hirers are placing more emphasis on benefits such as work-life balance, hybrid working arrangements and policies which improve employee satisfaction. Holistic retention strategies involve more than just increasing compensation, as high salaries often do not strongly correlate with long-term commitment.

Highlighting the dwindling impact of compensation and benefits in the workplace, Tanith Jones, General Manager – People & Culture at GB, points out: “This year’s survey results saw a 54% decrease in using competitive salaries as a retention tool. Non-monetary incentives are essential to driving productive workplaces. Employers are leveraging benefits such as paid time off, professional development allowances, and wellness programs to engage their team and positively influence their output and loyalty. Insurers can focus on the development of existing employees through leadership or technical skillbased programs, which has a dual benefit in also attracting new talent looking to enter or grow in the industry. Understanding what matters most to your employees can go a long way towards increasing their job satisfaction and ensuring long-term retention.”

Debbie Vounakis, Head of Sales and Client Services at GB, emphasises the importance of retaining experienced team members: “The talent deficit in the insurance industry is a pressing issue that cannot be overlooked. Australia is the most severely impacted by this trend, with a significant portion of the workforce nearing retirement age and a shortage of new talent to fill the gap. Partnering with a third-party provider such as Gallagher Bassett can effectively assist organisations in managing claims, and building your internal capability in return-to-work and technical claims handling.

“The demand for skilled claims staff has increased dramatically in the past 12 to 18- months. Since 2024, our NSW and VIC client services teams have grown significantly. We’ve built successful client relationships through diversely skilled team members and effective collaboration. Our experienced team understands our customers and their needs.”

Read the Whitepaper.

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Tanith Jones

Gallagher Bassett Australia, a leading provider of claims and risk management services, has launched a paid reproductive leave policy in a first for the insurance and financial services industry.

The company will provide up to 10 days of paid leave per year for IVF treatment, chronic reproductive health conditions such as endometriosis, preventative screening for breast or prostate cancers, and other reproductive health treatments.

Pete Nicholson, Chief Executive Officer of Gallagher Bassett Australia, said the policy was part of the company’s commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.

“We recognise that reproductive health and wellbeing is an important and often overlooked aspect of employee wellness, and we want to support our people through their reproductive journey, whatever that may look like for them,” he said.

“We believe this policy is a game-changer for our industry and sets a new benchmark for how employers can care for their staff.”

Tanith Jones, General Manager – People & Culture at Gallagher Bassett Australia, said the policy was developed to complement additional changes to primary and secondary caregiver leave.

“We listened to the feedback and experiences of our employees, as well as the latest research and best practices on reproductive health and wellbeing. In addition to reproductive leave, we have also increased our paid primary caregiver leave to 16 weeks, and secondary caregiver leave to two weeks,” she said.

“We are proud to offer these benefits for our people and are looking forward to seeing the change this will make for our workforce and the industry.”

Gallagher Bassett Australia has over 1,600 employees across Australia and provides claims and risk management services to general insurance and personal injury schemes.

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Tanith Jones

Gallagher Bassett, Australia’s leading claims and risk management provider, is pleased to announce the appointment of Tanith Jones as General Manager – People and Culture.

“I am excited to accept the role of General Manager – People and Culture as my diverse background and career experiences have instilled in me a deep passion for promoting representation at all organisation levels and fostering an environment where everyone can thrive,” said Tanith.

In her new role, Tanith will be responsible for advancing Gallagher Bassett’s people strategy, fostering a culture of positivity and inclusiveness, and ensuring a strong commitment to both employees and clients.

“Tanith has been instrumental in growing and enriching our culture throughout her tenure at Gallagher Bassett, and we are thrilled to see her continue to excel in this new role,” said Pete Nicholson, Chief Executive Officer of Gallagher Bassett Australia.

“Her extensive experience and passion for enabling employee success aligns perfectly with our company’s values and goals. With Tanith’s leadership, we are confident that our employees will thrive, and our company culture will continue to flourish.”

With over 10 years of experience, Tanith has successfully championed diversity and implemented flexible working frameworks to enhance work-life balance for numerous companies.

As a leader, Tanith is driven by values of respect, safety, and open communication. She believes in authenticity and honouring individualism, striving to understand and support each person’s unique needs and aspirations to help them achieve their full potential.

Tanith’s appointment reflects Gallagher Bassett’s commitment to creating a positive and inclusive work environment.

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