After five decades in the marine insurance industry, NTI’s National Marine Technical Underwriter Michael (Mike) Sullivan is retiring, concluding a career that has spanned claims, underwriting, and senior management roles across Australia.
Mike joined NTI in 2017 as National Manager Marine Claims during the company’s marine acquisition, where he was instrumental in establishing the systems, processes and team required to manage marine claims within the business.
His career in insurance began in the early 1970s in a junior underwriting role, where he learned the fundamentals of the industry before developing a long-term focus on marine insurance.
By 1980 he had progressed to a Marine Underwriter role in Perth, where he spent nearly a decade working across Western Australia and specialising in marine insurance for fishing fleets.
“I travelled the length and breadth of WA, dealing with marine insurance and fishing fleets across the state,” said Mike.
“Marine insurance has always been the area that interested me the most. The complexity and variety within the sector kept me engaged throughout my career. Marine insurance covers an enormous range of goods moving all over the world.”
Over the following decades, Mike worked across several states as opportunities arose, building experience across underwriting, claims and leadership roles.
After Perth, he spent three years in Adelaide working with tuna fishing fleets before transferring to Brisbane as Marine Underwriter. He later moved to Sydney, where he spent nine years as State Manager for marine insurance in New South Wales.
In 2004, Mike relocated to Melbourne to lead the establishment of a new marine insurance business for CGU following a major industry restructure.
Mike spent eight years developing the business before moving into a broader claims management role, where he contributed to a wider general claims leadership group.
“That gave me exposure to a much broader part of the business,” he said.
“It involved looking at claims operations on a larger scale - everything from resourcing to ensuring processes were working effectively.”
Mike said the range of roles he held throughout his career provided valuable perspective when he joined NTI in 2017.
“I’d had exposure to underwriting, claims and management roles, as well as working in several parts of the country,” he said.
“That experience helped when we were setting up the marine claims capability at NTI.”
Dan Morrison, NTI’s Head of Marine Portfolio, said Mike’s experience and approach has made him an invaluable member of the team.
“Mike brings an enormous amount of experience to the business and has played an important role in helping develop both our marine portfolio and our people,” Dan said.
“He has been particularly valuable in mentoring newer underwriters and helping guide the team as the market continues to evolve.”
Dan said Mike is widely respected both within NTI and across the broader insurance industry.
“He is highly trusted in the way he operates and in the knowledge he brings, not only to NTI’s marine team but to the broader marine insurance industry,” he said.
“Internally, people rely on his advice and guidance, and externally there are brokers, industry participants and even legal professionals who seek his input because of his experience and judgement.”
Reflecting back, Dan said Mike has always been committed to supporting the success of the team.
“He actively shares insights, identifies risks and opportunities, and looks for ways to support the development of the business and the people around him,” he said.
“That willingness to help others succeed is something that has had a real impact on the team.”
Reflecting on the changes he has seen during his career, Mike said access to information has been one of the most significant developments for the marine insurance industry.
“Thirty years ago, we didn’t have the same level of knowledge or insight about customers or their businesses,” he said.
“Now we can understand much more about what our customers do and the goods they’re shipping, which helps us assess risk more effectively.”
One of the most memorable experiences of his career came following Cyclone Ului in 2010, which caused extensive damage to boats and marina infrastructure on the Queensland coast.
Mike personally travelled to the affected area, working with local businesses and the community to help restore operations as quickly as possible.
“You’re there to do your job, but you also see first-hand the impact events like that have on people and their livelihoods,” he said. “Helping businesses get back on their feet was very important.”
As he steps into retirement, Mike’s looking forward to spending more time with his family and focusing on personal plans.
“There are a few family milestones coming up and some travel planned over the next couple of years,” he said. “I’m looking forward to having the time and space to focus on those things.”
NTI thanks Mike for his commitment and outstanding contribution to the organisation and the Australian marine insurance industry, and wishes him all the best in his retirement
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Mike through the years: 1980s, 1990s, and now.