Our Key People
With a combined experience of over 200 years in the insurance industry, our leadership team has expertise that is envied by our competitors. You can rely on getting advice from Sterling that is based not only on a solid knowledge base but on strong working experience in advising brokers on how best to assist their clients with hard-to-place insurance.
George Condell - Dip.Fin.Serv.
George Condell joined Sterling in February 2004 to manage the Liability and Professional Risks portfolio. George has been in the insurance industry since 1970 and has been involved in the development and management of an extensive number of specialty insurance programs since 1986. Some of the programs George has been responsible for developing include a high risk Liability program for Demolition and Asbestos which has been operating since 1986, a Professional Indemnity program for NSW Barristers and a Medical Malpractice facility for the Australian Private Hospital Association. Prior to joining Sterling George has held various positions with Heath Lambert, IUS, CBA, AMP and MMI.
Anthony J. A. Parington - B.Chem.E., Dip.Fin.Serv., ANZIIF Fellow
Tony Parington joined Sterling in late 2003 and became a Director in early 2004. Tony is involved in the technical aspects of our liability and professional risks products as well as the management and operations of the company. Tony has been in the industry since 1994 and during this time he has gained experience as both an underwriter and broker.
Linda King - Dip.Fin.Serv., ANZIIF (Snr Associate)
Linda King joined Sterling in 2004. For the past 4 years she has been responsible for the day to day operations and management of the Demolition/Asbestos programme alongside underwriting numerous liability programmes. Linda has had experience with the Demolition/Asbestos Removal programme since its inception in 1986. She has held various roles within IUSs, Heath Fielding and Heath Lambert.
Stephane Pouzet - Dip.Fin.Serv., ANZIIF (Snr Associate)
Stephane Pouzet joined Sterling in 2006. He is currently responsible for the day to day management of the Professional Indemnity Renewal Portfolio. Stephane has had experience in Marine, Property, House and Contents & Motor claims and Corporate & Commercial Broking. He has over 12 years experience in the insurance industry and has held various position at Willis, Heath Lambert, AON, QBE Insurance, CHU, CGU and Zurich.
Chris Dardaneliotis - B.Ec., ANZIIF Fellow CIP
Commonly referred to as “Chris D”, Chris joined Sterling in 2007 and is involved in the technical and day-to-day management of our liability products. Chris has been in the industry since 1992 and has held various underwriting and management roles with JUA, AMP/GIO and Calliden for Liability, Property & other classes. Chris is also actively involved with the Australian and New Zealand Insurance Institute.
John Perks - Dip.Fin.Serv.
John Perks joined Sterling in 2002 and today is now primarily involved in marketing our liability and professional indemnity products. John has been in the industry for 38 years and has held senior management roles in international and local insurance broking companies in various countries.
Martin Patterson - Dip.Fin.Serv.
Martin Patterson has been working within the ‘Hard to Place’ liability market both in Australia and London for over 10 years. Beginning his association with George Condell and his team at Heath Lambert in the late 90’s (working within the Demolition and Asbestos facility), Martin has since had stints with the Talbot Syndicate, AIG & JLT in London before returning to Sydney to join George once more at Sterling. Martin’s current focus is on the mining and resource sectors drawing on his experience working within mining and exploration industry in his native New Zealand during his previous ‘pre insurance’ life.
Rowena Fraser - Dip.Fin.Serv ACII
Rowena Fraser joined Sterling in 2005 and is responsible for underwriting and placements of professional indemnity insurance. Rowena has over 20 years experience in the insurance industry from both the broking and underwriting side and has previously set up several PI schemes in Australia and overseas
Benjamin McDougall - Dip.Fin.Serv.
Ben McDougall joined IUS in 2002 working in the Underwriting Department. In this role he gained a strong understanding of all facets of the underwriting business and while there gained his Diploma in Financial Services. Ben moved to Sterling in August 2006 working in the Liability Team. He then moved to the Professional Risk side of the business working closely with Rowena Fraser and Tony Parington. Ben’s central focus is not only working with hard to place risks but constantly finding new ways to add value.
James Emerson - Dip.Fin.Serv.
James Emerson has extensive experience handling Liability in the Lloyd’s market since 2002 and has been involved with Sterling since 2004. James joined Sterling in 2007 and his Lloyd’s experience has been invaluable in underwriting both new and renewal business.
Debbi Thorne - Dip.Fin.Serv.
Debbi Thorne joined Sterling Insurance in 2009 as an Underwriter for the Contractors Plant and Equipment product. Debbi has been in the Insurance Industry for 25 years recently completing 12 years as an Insurance Broker. Her roles prior to Sterling include several years as GM for Action Insurance Brokers and a BDM role with Financial Lifestyle Solutions.