Jake Walsh has established Venture Insurance Brokers in Auckland and revealed ambitious plans to expand through hiring and acquiring across New Zealand.

The new brokerage, a member of the Steadfast network, offers expertise across a range of industries, including franchise groups, associations, accommodation, property, trades, law, transport and “just about everything in between”.

Mr Walsh joined Youi as a school leaver a decade ago and later spent almost six years as a commercial broker at Rothbury.

He then departed for a smaller brokerage where he had an option to buy in. Towards the end of the first year, he was approached with an offer to start Venture.

“It was almost pedal to the metal. We got it up and running within about two or three months, and here we are,” Mr Walsh told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “We want to be one of the bigger players in the next 10 years and think we’ve got the skills to do that. That’s where we’re going.

“We’re looking to hire. We are small but we’ve got the right things in place to expand really quickly. We can acquire throughout the country.”  

Acquisition of a private wealth company will soon be announced and the business plans to add mortgage broking services in coming months, under the wider Venture umbrella.  

“Insurance will be the jewel in the crown, but expanding our service offerings will be the long-term plan,” Mr Walsh said. “We’ve been able to make big steps thanks to the support of the directors, and our first acquisition is set to go live in August, strengthening our offerings and expertise.

“Let’s talk; we have immediate appetite across five major regions.”