The ability to survive more than 50 years in the insurance industry is one of John J Duncan's key achievements.
He is proud of helping to establish JMD Ross and build it to the size it is today. He still works every day because "I enjoy what I do and I like meeting people and talking to them".
His wife Mary Anne, who is JMD Ross's company secretary, founded the business in 1979 while John was working at the then Famers & Graziers Insurance. Three years later he left F&G to join Mary Anne full-time in the family business.
He writes commercial/industrial general insurance.
John says his life has revolved around the insurance industry. His son, John G Duncan, is chief executive at JMD Ross and his son, Michael, has a senior role with Zurich Financial Services in Hong Kong. He says neither son was influenced by their father in their decision to join the industry.
Client service is the key to success in broking. "Clients are names not numbers," John says. A good broker is dedicated, doesn't waste time, dots the Is and crosses the Ts and, above all, is service oriented.
John is a NIBA member and a QPIB, a member of the Financial Planners' Association, and holds a Diploma in Financial Services (Insurance Broking).
Outside work, he loves travel and the occasional game of golf. He walks a lot, goes to the gym twice a week and is an avid rugby union follower.