LMI Group has opened an office in Hobart, expanding the loss and risk manager’s national presence to nine branches.

It follows the launch of a Gold Coast office earlier in the month, and founder and MD Allan Manning says there is more expansion to come.

He plans to open a Canberra office next month and a Coffs Harbour branch in December.

The Hobart office, LMI’s first in Tasmania, will be managed by chartered loss adjuster and insurance industry veteran Gary Price.

Mr Price joined the industry in 1961 – “in the days before Biros entered the workforce” – as a junior clerk with the Victoria Insurance Company.

He most recently started his own business, Gary Price and Associates, in Hobart.

“Like a lot of businesses, finding the right people is a challenge for us,” Professor Manning told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“You can’t just put anyone in these roles. Most of our customers have had a major loss, so one of the big things I look for is empathy, people who want to help people, and that person has to be someone who understands insurance back to front.

“With Gary, we certainly have the right person in Tasmania.”

Melbourne-based LMI’s branches are company-owned, except for Hobart and Adelaide, which are franchises. It also has operations in Singapore and Auckland.