KeyNotes – Quarter 4 2025
January 19, 2026
KeyNotes – Quarter 2 2026
July 6, 2026
Celebrating our People
Upward Moves
Keystone started off the year with a bang celebrating the well-deserved promotions of team members. Jessica Kettle has become Queensland State Manager. Bridget Batson is now an Underwriting Assistant. The claims team saw the promotion of Emma Garland to Claims Lead Manager, and Tiziano Schmid joined as Claims Assistant. Each person consistently demonstrates commitment, capability and our Keystone values. It is fantastic to see their hard work recognised. Well done to all; we are excited to see what you achieve next.
New Faces
We are delighted to welcome Mandy Manson as our new Underwriting Assistant. She made the exciting journey all the way from New Zealand to start a new chapter of her life in sunny Brisbane. We are so glad she chose to make Keystone part of that adventure! Alongside Mandy, Pippa Anscombe joined us as our new Administration Assistant, bringing with her a unique and impressive background as a qualified silversmith, proof that creative precision and attention to detail translate beautifully into any profession. Please join us in giving Pippa and Mandy a warm welcome, they will both be great assets to the team.
Milestone Moments
This quarter marked a significant milestone for both our team and for the Keystone name. We celebrated eight incredible years of growth, dedication, and success in the insurance industry. Happy Birthday Keystone!
Keystone has been committed to delivering expert underwriting solutions since day one, forging strong partnerships and providing exceptional service. None of this would have been possible without loyal brokers, valued partners, and our fantastic team. Your continued trust and support mean everything to us.
We also recognised some of our team members who celebrated their Keystone anniversaries this quarter:
Neil Sheppard – 8 years
Felicity Sheppard – 8 years
John King – 7 years
Jon Willmott – 5 years
Emma Garland – 2 years
Bridget Batson – 2 years
Susann Rosenthal – 2 years
Jessica Kettle – 1 year
Events and Expos
UAC Clive™ AI by Five Sigma at the Sydney Market Exchange
Kelly Ross-Howard and Nicholas Thexton had a fantastic time representing Keystone at the Underwriting Agencies Council (UAC) Clive™ AI by Five Sigma Sydney Market Exchange, which proved to be a truly engaging and thought-provoking event. They took full advantage of the opportunity to connect with peers from across the industry, strengthen relationships, and soak up the forward-thinking energy for which the event is known. Both Kelly and Nick returned to the office feeling inspired and energised, with innovation having been very much at the heart of the event’s
Ausure 2026 Conference
Michelle McKellar and Lily Tudor had the pleasure of representing Keystone at this landmark event, celebrating 30 incredible years of Ausure! The Marketplace and glamorous Pearls & Diamonds Gala Dinner, plus a stunning sunset harbour boat ride with an Orchid theme, resulted in an unforgettable few days of connection, collaboration, and celebration. Congratulations to the Ausure team on 30 years and here’s to many more!
UAC 2026 Gold Coast Market Exchange
The Brisbane team had a fantastic time attending the UAC 2026 Gold Coast Market Exchange, making the most of the opportunity to connect with industry colleagues, strengthen existing relationships, and forge some exciting new ones. The event proved to be a valuable experience, offering fresh insights into the market and plenty of stimulating conversations with some of the industry’s leading minds. It was a great reminder of the importance of getting together face to face, and the team returned to the office feeling energised and inspired. A big thank you to all those who stopped to chat, it was wonderful to see so many familiar faces.
Culture and Community
Broker Visiting in Style
Ben Gray travelled to Warrnambool to visit some of our valued brokers and partners, taking an opportunity to be flown via small plane rather than spending 3.5 hours driving there. This freed up valuable time allowing Ben to make the most of the visit with a full morning and a relaxed lunch alongside the team. It was a special opportunity to strengthen those all-important face-to-face connections, catch up on how things are tracking, and show our continued appreciation for the fantastic relationships we have built with our Warrnambool brokers and partners.
McLardy McShane Professional Development Day
Charlotte Cunliffe and Ben Gray enjoyed themselves representing Keystone at the McLardy McShane Professional Development Day. They made the most of a jam-packed program designed to inspire, inform, and challenge. There was a fantastic mix of learning opportunities and meaningful conversations, with both Charlotte and Ben coming away with fresh perspectives and plenty of practical insights to bring back to the team. It was also another opportunity to connect with colleagues and peers from across the industry in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
Sydney Visit
Jon Willmott and Lily Tudor spent a packed and productive day in Sydney visiting some brokers and partners across the city. It was a fantastic opportunity to invest some quality time with key contacts in person. The day was filled with great conversation, valuable insights, and plenty of warm welcomes. A heartfelt thank you to all of the Sydney brokers and partners who gave up their time to meet with them, it was very much appreciated, and we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
Melbourne Teams Corporate Triathlon 2026
Our team took on the Melbourne Teams Corporate Triathlon in St Kilda and absolutely delivered, putting in a fantastic display of hard work, dedication, and team spirit from start to finish. There were strong performances across the board and multiple personal bests on the day. Months of training and preparation clearly paid off in the best possible way. We are so proud of everyone who competed. The same grit and commitment they brought to that race is exactly what makes this team so special. Congratulations to all involved!
Adelaide Visit
Mixing business with laughter in the best possible way, Jon Willmott and Charlotte Cunliffe recently travelled to Adelaide to host some of our fantastic brokers and partners at the Adelaide Fringe Comedy Festival. The night was everything you could hope for, great acts, even better company, and plenty of memorable moments shared with some of the lovely people we are so proud to work alongside. It was a brilliant reminder that strong relationships are built just as much over shared experiences as they are across a boardroom table.
