Abby’s story in the financial services industry really begins with her father Alan Burn’s story.
Alan began as an insurance agent in 1969 and quickly realised that in order to facilitate his own dynamic vision and colourful persona he would have to become self-employed.
Building up a team of dedicated staff along the way, the goal was and has always remained, to be in service to his clients.
Alan has been described as ‘prolific’ by many in the insurance industry and the first New Zealander to ever achieve ‘Top of the Table’ status with the Million Dollar Round Table*.
After completing a Bachelor of Business in Communications at Bond University and working in marketing in Sydney after graduating, Abby returned to New Zealand and joined the family business in 2006.
Under Alan’s expert tutelage, Abby quickly began to build her own client base working within Alan’s Red Group as well as developing contracting arrangements with other risk brokerages.
In 2012 the time had come for Alan to pass on the baton somewhat. While still incredibly passionate about serving his clients he no longer wanted to be the powerhouse behind driving the business forward.
At 28, Abby took the leap of faith and purchased Alan’s insurance and investment brokerages - making her the youngest person ever in the New Zealand industry to take on the directorship of two companies, the responsibility of seven staff, turnover of over $2,000,000 and high levels of accompanying debt.
While this period was a ‘baptism of fire’ it was incredibly rewarding and culminated in Abby negotiating a successful merger with the Lifetime Group.
Along with a number of their loyal team who made the cross over from Red, Alan and Abby are still very much dedicated to serving their clients in this latest incarnation of the Burns family working dynamic.
* mdrt.org
Alan began as an insurance agent in 1969 and quickly realised that in order to facilitate his own dynamic vision and colourful persona he would have to become self-employed.
Building up a team of dedicated staff along the way, the goal was and has always remained, to be in service to his clients.
Alan has been described as ‘prolific’ by many in the insurance industry and the first New Zealander to ever achieve ‘Top of the Table’ status with the Million Dollar Round Table*.
After completing a Bachelor of Business in Communications at Bond University and working in marketing in Sydney after graduating, Abby returned to New Zealand and joined the family business in 2006.
Under Alan’s expert tutelage, Abby quickly began to build her own client base working within Alan’s Red Group as well as developing contracting arrangements with other risk brokerages.
In 2012 the time had come for Alan to pass on the baton somewhat. While still incredibly passionate about serving his clients he no longer wanted to be the powerhouse behind driving the business forward.
At 28, Abby took the leap of faith and purchased Alan’s insurance and investment brokerages - making her the youngest person ever in the New Zealand industry to take on the directorship of two companies, the responsibility of seven staff, turnover of over $2,000,000 and high levels of accompanying debt.
While this period was a ‘baptism of fire’ it was incredibly rewarding and culminated in Abby negotiating a successful merger with the Lifetime Group.
Along with a number of their loyal team who made the cross over from Red, Alan and Abby are still very much dedicated to serving their clients in this latest incarnation of the Burns family working dynamic.
* mdrt.org