b'CHAPTER 04UNDER THETARLEE GUMSI n 1982, John George met Brian McInerneyNorth and Amber George, he would take a 40 per cent25and Allan Amber for lunch at the Feathersshare, while Brian and Allan would take 30 per cent each. Hotel near Johns Norwood office. He had matters to discuss.A few months later in June, the merged businesses commenced trading as George, McInerney andAll three businesses were doing well. JohnAmber Insurance Brokers, also known as GMA continued to build his client portfolio at JRInsurance Brokers. Since GMA was already takenGeorge while Allan and Brian took on someby General Motors Acceptance Corporation, MGA of the spillover. Allan had capitalised onwas registered as the holding company name. The his longstanding links with the market andnew companys head office was in the same buildingtransport communities, and Amber George was tickingas JR George. Allan and Brian continued to workalong nicely. Meanwhile in Clare, Brian diversified hisfrom their Glynde and Clare offices.client book by adding major wineries to his portfolio. A poor economy and regulatory changes around As always, John was thinking ahead. A systems thinker,solvency levels had shrunk earnings for the big he imagined what could be achieved with a moreunderwriters. But brokers did not have the same unified approach. His focus on back-office efficienciescompliance restraints as the majors. In this climate,and streamlining operations was reaping benefits allit made sense for the major insurers to step backaround. He was increasingly thinking about a singularfrom dealing directly with clients and become morebusinessnot three separate ones.like wholesalers, utilising brokers as distributors. That afternoon at the Feathers Hotel, he proposed A keen observer of industry trends, John spieda merger. As the partner with an existing share in Mida chance to scale and grow the business rapidly.'