Angela Downs

Dip. FS (Insurance Broking)

Angela was introduced to the insurance broking industry in 1995 and joined Bill Owen Insurance Brokers in 1999.

Throughout this time, Angela has held many and varied roles in our personal, commercial and aviation divisions, always with a strong focus on customer service. Whilst Angela values the client relationships she has built over the years, and maintains a small portfolio of valued clients, her focus is now the day-to-day management and operation of the business, along with mentoring staff.

Angela became an equity holder in Bill Owen Insurance Brokers in 2014 and in 2021 sold her shareholding to Steadfast Group. She has served on the Board of the Council of Queensland Insurance Brokers (CQIB), a professional association that plays a key role in the Australian insurance industry.

Angela is a busy mum of two teenage girls, Abby & Samantha, and in what spare time she has, enjoys a glass of wine with her partner and friends, and a walk on the beach with her dogs.

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8203
Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Kristel Popov

BBus-Com, Dip. FS (Insurance Broking)

Originally joining Bill Owen Insurance Brokers in 2011 following the acquisition of her employer, Combined States Financial Services, Kristel took extended leave in 2015 and 2016 to travel extensively through Canada and USA before returning to the office.

Appointed as our Business Manager, Kristel is responsible for compliance with our Australian Financial Services Licence and provides high level support to Managing Director, Angela Downs. Kristel also advises our team on the technical aspects of policy coverage and sets down our internal policies and procedures. She also heads up our Administration and Support Team.

A keen study buff, Kristel has a dual degree in Business and Commerce along with a Diploma of Financial Services (Insurance Broking).

In her spare time, Kristel enjoys an active lifestyle exploring North Queensland on her mountain bike and hanging out with her beautiful King Charles Cavalier, Atti.

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8217
Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Joe Owen

BA (Hons) Economics & International Studies
P.G. Diploma European Business & IT

Originating from Cornwall in the UK, Joe landed in Australia in 2004 and joined the team at Bill Owen Insurance Brokers soon after. He has since gained experience working in senior broking roles for some of Australia’s largest international brokerages over the past 15 years. Re-joining our team in 2015, Joe’s focus is advising clients operating in the construction, tourism and transport industries.

His passion is to make sure his clients receive the best possible value for money from their insurance program, particularly in the event of a claim, where he explores every available avenue to ensure his clients receive every possible benefit from their policy. His motto is “if you don’t ask for more, you won’t receive it”.

The weekends see Joe spending time with his wife and daughter and looking for speed at Tinaroo on his recently purchased supercharged jet ski. He is also a keen participant of mixed martial arts with a black belt to show for his hard work.

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8207
Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Kym O’Brien

Dip. FS (Insurance Broking)

Kym is a long-standing member of our work family, initially joining in 2012 and more recently taking leave to welcome her two beautiful children. She now works on a part-time basis assisting Joe Owen with his workflow and attempting to keep him on task (…a BIG job some days!).

An experienced broker in her own right, Kym holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Insurance Broking) and can answer most questions our clients throw at her.

Away from the office, Kym is devoted to her husband, Jake, and their children.

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8209
Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Sonya Smith

Dip. FS (Insurance Broking)

Sonya is the longest standing member of our work family, commencing her career in the insurance broking industry in 2007 here at Bill Owen Insurance Brokers.

Initially beginning in a claims and administration role, Sonya quickly transitioned into a broking role and took a keen interest in Aviation Insurance. Sonya has the ability and expertise to assist with all types of insurance and is the aviation insurance specialist in our office, currently managing a significant portfolio of clients with the assistance of colleague, Donyale Fransen.

Sonya has spent many hours flying around Australia with Bill at the controls, to attend a variety of aviation events including air shows, and training. The highlight of her career was a well-earned work trip to the UK in 2019 to visit Lloyds of London and gain a greater understanding of the history of insurance.

Sonya is an incredibly proud and devoted Mum to daughter, Taylah, who recently completed Year 12 as the Captain of Cairns State High School. She enjoys spending time with her husband and friends camping, fishing and hiking.

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8216
Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Donyale Fransen

Dip. FS (Insurance Broking)

We were very happy to have experienced broker Donyale (Donnie) join our team in July 2019, coming to us with over 10 years in the insurance broking industry.

Donnie is skilled in most aspects of general insurance including domestic, strata, SME and commercial lines, however, is trying her hand at something new, working alongside our Senior Aviation Consultant, Sonya Smith, to broaden her expertise in this specialist field and support Sonya’s portfolio of clients.

Donnie is a whirlwind of energy and brings much laughter to our office. She is also a very busy Mum of two primary school children, Jack and Evie. At every spare moment, you’ll find Donnie camping with family and friends and on the lookout for new places to explore.

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8213
Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Lyndal Bennetts

Dip. FS (Insurance Broking)

Also know as ‘Dax’, Lyndal joined the team at Bill Owen Insurance Brokers in July 2016 after relocating from Melbourne to get away from the cold.

She has been committed to the insurance industry for over 15 years, with experience in Financial Lines and SME/commercial products as well as the development of schemes.

Lyndal holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Insurance Broking), and is always expanding her knowledge through webinars and reading.

Outside of work Dax enjoys fitness and strength training, martial arts, and absolutely anything outdoors, recently hiking 200kms to raise awareness for mental health.

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8215
Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Andrea Thurston

Andrea’s joined the insurance industry over 20 years ago and has worked for both local and international brokers during this time, attaining her Diploma of Financial Services (Insurance Broking) in 2005.

Andrea has specialised in everything from large corporate organisations to SME clients, and she can attend to all classes of insurance as needed. She enjoys building long lasting relationships with her clients.

She is dedicated and passionate about ensuring her clients achieve the very best outcomes, both with insurance coverage and claims outcomes and is always looking to expand her knowledge.

Andrea is an avid reader, adores her family and enjoys camping and the outdoors in her free time.

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8205
Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Nichole Jones

As the newest member of Bill Owen Insurance Brokers, Nichole comes to us with a wealth of knowledge gained in over 15 years of working in the general insurance broking industry, including SME/commercial and marine products. She holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Insurance Broking) and regularly participates in training and webinars to expand her skillset.

Nichole is dedicated to finding the best policy fit for her client, has had experience with complex claims and loves to sift through policy detail and fine print to achieve the very best outcome for all.

When she’s not working Nic loves to wine and dine with her hubby and friends, and as the crafty force of our office, she is always designing and creating new projects.

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8208
Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Rosanna Hoolihan

A proud local, Rosanna joined Bill Owen Insurance Brokers in 2017 following the acquisition of her long-term employer, Glen Smith Insurance Services. She immediately became a valued member of our work family, keen to share her knowledge gained in the industry over some 30 years.

Known for her warm and caring nature, Rosie is a favourite with our clients and provides advice on all aspects of domestic/retail insurances such as homes, rental property, motor vehicles, strata title and boats.

Outside work Rosanna enjoys spending time with her husband and sons and makes time to visit her family in Mareeba for a beautiful home cooked Italian meal.

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8211
Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Donna Geister

Donna returned to Cairns from the Barossa Valley in early 2018, after taking a 10 year break from the insurance industry to welcome and raise her three sons, Jed, Zac and Gus.

Since joining the Bill Owen Insurance Brokers family, Donna has gained new skills working in our aviation team and currently manages her own portfolio of domestic/retail insurances, a particularly difficult area at the moment with a lack of Insurer’s and extremely high premium rates on homes and strata insurances.

As one of the busiest Mums in our office, Donna works school hours which gives her time to run her boys to and from basketball every day!

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8209
Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Breanna Vecchio

Breanna (or ‘Bree Bree’ as we affectionately refer to her) is the baby of our team and recently completed her Tier II Insurance Broking qualification. Prior to joining Bill Owen Insurance Brokers and deciding on insurance broking as her career path, Bree worked in hospitality.

The queen of organisation Breanna keeps our team in check managing the administration functions of our busy office.

On the weekend, Breanna loves nothing more than to tune into a great Netflix series or head out fishing with her partner, Jack.

Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Stevie Darby-Brennan

As one of the newest members of our team, Stevie is an integral part of our administration and support hub, who most of our clients will be familiar with. She joined the industry in 2018 and is skilled as an assistant account manager and has also tried her hand at loss adjusting.

Stevie’s passion is Rugby, whether she is playing, refereeing, or managing teams. She currently sits on the FNQ Rugby Board.

Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Tegan Struber

Tegan joined the team at Bill Owen Insurance Brokers in early 2017, having previously worked alongside Joe Owen at one of Australia’s largest international brokerages. She commenced her career in the insurance industry in 2011 in a claims and administrative role, and transitioned into a broking role.

Currently working on a part-time basis in our support team, Tegan is devoted to her family raising her gorgeous 18 month old son Ollie with husband Ben, and their pooch Charlie.

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8214
Email: broker@billowen.com.au