Meet Our Team

General Manager

Meet Angela at Bill Owen Insurance Brokers

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

Broking Team

Meet Sonya at Bill Owen Insurance Brokers

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

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 joined the BOIB team in 2020 managing the administration functions of our busy office. Bree has completed her Tier 2 Insurance Broking qualification and is currently working towards completing her Tier 1 in Insurance Broking.

Bree currently works alongside our busy General Manager, Angela Downs, as her Broker Assistant. On the weekend, Breanna loves nothing more than to tune into a great Netflix series.

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8206

Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Meet Kym at Bill Owen Insurance Brokers

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 Angela Downs.

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 8205
Email: broker@billowen.com.au

Stevie Darby-Brennan

Stevie joined the BOIB team in 2020 initially as an integral part of our administration and support hub, before transitioning to a Broker Assistant alongside Nichole Jones.  Stevie has recently obtained her ASIC Tier 2 qualification.

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

Direct Line: (07) 4053 8204
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 son Ollie with husband Ben, and their pooch Charlie.

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

Many thanks to you and your colleagues for the fantastic effort in getting this (claim) through – we think it’s fair and really appreciate everything that Bill Owen Brokers has done for us, and your contribution particularly.

Mike and Di - Port Douglas

It's when presented with genuine challenges that you get to really see how good your insurance brokers are. Early this year when we needed some help, Angela Downs from Bill Owen was simply superb. She handled the issue professionally and kept us in the loop from start to finish. We have been with these guys for years and after our recent positive experience I sense we may stay with them for many years to come!

Mr S. Corrie

Can’t thank you enough for your patience and unending support for something that we have not had to experience before For Bill: Must congratulate you on your staff Bill. Superior help from all. Tks to Amy, Sonya and Linda, for relaying my somewhat garbled phonetical messages seeking help and info of:”What do I do now” Best wishes and regards to all.

Bill & Rhonda