Speakers

Neil joined Steadfast in 2017 to take on the position of Broker Services Manager and became CEO in 2022. 

Neil started his career in London in 1991 and has been involved in the insurance industry both as a broker and underwriter. During his career, Neil has had the opportunity to create schemes and facilities, take recognised companies into different areas of business and establish a brokerage under the highly compliant UK financial services legislation. 

Nick joined Steadfast 11 years ago, and currently oversees the strategic direction, operational excellence, and growth initiatives for the Steadfast broker networks across the Asia-Pacific region. With a career spanning over three decades in the insurance and financial services industry, Nick brings a wealth of experience in managing complex networks, enhancing carrier relationships, and delivering exceptional service to brokers. Nick is also President of the National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA).

Christine Martin is Head of Operations and Broker Engagement at Steadfast New Zealand, bringing over 30 years of experience in the insurance sector. She began her career with an insurer, building a strong foundation in insurance operations and market dynamics before transitioning into broking.

Christine has held senior roles with major brokerages, including Aon as a Regional Manager—where she oversaw 14 offices during a period of regional network growth—and PSC Insurance Group, serving as National Broker Services Manager and Central Region Manager from 2018 to 2022. In these roles, she led initiatives focused on network expansion, operational alignment, and knowledge sharing. 

Since joining Steadfast New Zealand in 2022, Christine has focused on broker engagement, operational delivery, and network development, supporting the organisation’s continued growth across New Zealand.

Antonella is Steadfast Technologies General Manager for Insurtech, managing industry leading broking solutions such as Steadfast Client Trading Platform and INSIGHT.  Antonella works with her team to continually develop and improve on solutions to support brokers and their clients with simple and streamlined ways to offer insurance.  Antonella has over 20 years’ experience working to improve processes and software applications in the insurance and finance industries.  Her background enables her to apply her product/project management knowledge to support brokers to get the best client experience possible.

Gilbert Enoka has a long history of success as a mental skills coach with New Zealand’s corporate and sporting elite. He is internationally renowned for his 23-year history with the All Blacks, first as their mental skills coach and then as All Blacks Manager - Leadership. He has been with the All Blacks for over 300 tests and during that time the team has won back-to-back Rugby World Cups, a very close runner up in 2023, one Laureus Award (for the best team in the world), 21 consecutive Bledisloe Cups, three Grand Slams, eight Tri Nations and Nine Rugby Championships.  

Gilbert has worked as a mental skills coach for the All Blacks, Canterbury Crusaders, the Silver Ferns and the Black Caps and strongly believes that players who are mentally prepared will perform better on the day. Gilbert is currently consulting with Chelsea Football club in the UK.

He has also worked as a highly skilled practitioner, working on performance enhancement for over thirty years with top CEO’s, businesses, and sporting elite. 

Most recently, Gilbert released his book Become Unstoppable, a powerful guide to mastering your mindset and unlocking your full potential. 

Gilbert is philosophical in his approach to his own life and thrives on working with people who are in pursuit of excellence, consistency, and sustained performance over time.

Charisma, grit, strength, and resilience describe Paula Bennett, from a teenage solo mum to Deputy Prime Minister – Paula is a character who will surprise and delight!

Paula is currently the Chair of Pharmac and Director of Strategic Advisory at Bayleys Commercial and in 2021 became a Co-Host of the TVNZ game show, Give Us A Clue. Prior to this, she had a remarkable parliamentary career spanning 15 years. Her roles in New Zealand politics included being a list MP, an electorate MP for 12 years and earning a seat in Rt Hon Sir John Key's cabinet as the Minister of Social Development and Employment, Disabilities, and Youth Affairs.

Paula held a diverse range of portfolios including associate Finance, State Services, Social Housing, Police, Local Government and Tourism. In her role as Minister for Climate Change, Paula worked closely with the agriculture, forestry and business sectors to make a real impact on the way we live our lives and protect our planet, and signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Paula also served as Deputy Prime Minister and was the Deputy Leader of the National Party until her departure from politics in 2020 where the corporate world welcomed her with open arms with her wealth of knowledge and experience. 

As a speaker, Paula can share her experiences in government and her personal perspective of where she see's New Zealand moving forward, sharing her insights on what the private sector can bring. Paula also shares an inspiring story through her own personal journey of resilience, overcoming adversity, smashing ceilings, and setting goals to achieve big dreams. 

As said in Paula's maiden speech – her desire is to see New Zealanders succeed and thrive! And she would love to share her experiences to help make that happen. We all have “stuff” and life is always going to happen, but there is a whole lot we can control and setting and achieving goals will help get you there.

Shamubeel Eaqub is an influential economist who makes the complexities of economics both easy and engaging. Currently, he serves as the Chief Economist at Simplicity, bringing over two decades of experience.

His career has seen him contribute his expertise at leading institutions, including ANZ Bank, Goldman Sachs JBWere, NZIER, Sense Partners, and now Simplicity.

An alumnus of Lincoln University, he graduated with Honours in Economics and is also a CFA Charterholder. Beyond his professional role, Shamubeel is an accomplished author and a frequent voice in media, known for his insightful commentary on economic and social issues in New Zealand. His published works include influential books such as Growing Apart: Regional Prosperity in New Zealand and co-authored titles like Generation Rent and The New Zealand Economy: An Introduction, which highlight critical issues affecting the nation.

He balances a dynamic portfolio that spans consulting, public speaking, governance, and family life. Residing in Auckland with his wife and two sons, Shamubeel remains a thought leader who brings clarity and accessibility to the world of economics.