First Peoples Insurance, an Austbrokers Comsure authorised representative focusing on Indigenous-controlled organisations and businesses, is launching this week.

The brokerage has been founded by Stuart White, a Biripi man, and the launch coincides with NAIDOC Week.

“Work I’ve done with corporates on Reconciliation Action Plans identified a lack of trust among Indigenous people about insurance,” he said. “They don’t understand it and mob prefer to buy from mob.” 

Mr White, who has worked in corporate sales for more than 20 years, pitched the First Peoples Insurance business plan to several potential partners that could provide training and back-end support, before teaming with Brisbane-based Austbrokers Comsure.

“AB Comsure prides itself on promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace and supporting the communities in which we work and live,” MD Ian Garbutt said. “The opportunity to support Stuart in creating a business that focuses on the Indigenous community is a natural progression for us.”

Mr White has undertaken the AB Comsure graduate program, working in the claims, SME and corporate teams to learn insurance industry systems and processes. He is also enrolled in a master of entrepreneurship and innovation course at the University of Queensland.

First Peoples Insurance is 100% Indigenous-owned and operated, and focuses on providing solutions for traditional owner and Indigenous community organisations and businesses.

Mr White aims to provide training and jobs for First Nations people, few of whom are employed in the finance industry, and is seeking to emulate the work of international brokerages that have established insurance services for native Americans and indigenous Canadians.

As a registered entity with Supply Nation, a database of verified Indigenous businesses, it can partner with corporate clients to meet compliance requirements for social procurement and achieve Reconciliation Action Plan and environmental, social and governance targets.

Mr White, born in Wauchope, NSW, established a corporate career in Melbourne and Brisbane after leaving school aged 15 and working in a timber yard.  Most recently he has been a retail leasing executive with the Queensland Investment Corporation.