The heart behind Insurance Advisernet’s success
IN Partnership with
The Insurance Advisernet Foundation empowers local action, strengthens connections and brings lasting social impact to communities across Australia – and soon, New Zealand
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THE MOST successful organisations have one thing in common – a soul.
As one of the largest and most respected general insurance businesses in Australia and New Zealand, there is no denying that Insurance Advisernet is a successful organisation. Since 2020, the firm has increased its client base by an impressive 63% to reach 141,000 customers.
This kind of growth can sometimes result in a quiet but inexorable slide away from founding principles to a slavish devotion to the bottom line if the soul of the company is allowed to die.
Insurance Advisernet is one of the largest and most respected general insurance advice networks in Australia and New Zealand, supporting over 275 practices across 150-plus locations. Founded in 1996, our mission has always been to deliver trusted, high-quality risk management advice. Guided by our pillars of Active Advice, Tailored Choice and Real Value, we’re committed to supporting clients and communities alike. Through the Insurance Advisernet Foundation, we proudly support grassroots organisations and charities, helping to create lasting social impact across both countries.
Donations by Insurance Advisernet Foundation
Nearly $700,000 to over 30 registered charities
“Our business is about helping people protect what matters most, and the foundation takes that idea one step further by actively improving lives, not just protecting them”
Shaun Standfield,
Insurance Advisernet
What makes Insurance Advisernet different is its charitable foundation – the Insurance Advisernet Foundation. With a collective goal of leaving an important social legacy for generations to come, the foundation’s grassroots approach has become a defining characteristic of the Insurance Advisernet brand and culture across Australia, with New Zealand soon to follow.
“The foundation is the beating heart of Insurance Advisernet. It reflects everything we stand for – connection, integrity, generosity and a deep sense of responsibility to the communities around us,” says Shaun Standfield, managing director at Insurance Advisernet and member of the Insurance Advisernet Foundation board.
This philosophy elevates the company’s mission beyond standard business operations. While insurance itself protects what people value, the foundation actively works to improve lives through direct community engagement.
“At its core, our business is about helping people protect what matters most, and the foundation takes that idea one step further by actively improving lives, not just protecting them,” Standfield explains.
What distinguishes the foundation’s approach is its decentralised structure, empowering advisers to champion causes that are meaningful to their local communities.
“What’s really special is that it’s driven from the ground up,” says Standfield. “Our advisers are the ones identifying the causes in their local areas, often organisations that are close to their hearts. So it’s never just about making a donation – it’s about being hands-on, present and deeply involved.”
Since its establishment in 2015, the foundation has grown into a significant charitable force, contributing over $4 million to more than 30 different charities over the past eight years. The organisation’s 2023/24 annual report highlights nearly $700,000 in contributions for the year, with donations spanning numerous causes, from mental health to youth services.
The foundation’s approach to giving reflects Insurance Advisernet’s broader business philosophy – strategic, targeted and aligned with community needs. By consolidating the goodwill already present across the network’s authorised representatives, the foundation maximises the impact of each donation.
“Individually and collectively, advisers identify not-for-profits that are deserving of donations and in many cases give their time and skills,” Standfield explains. This adviser-led approach ensures donations reach organisations that can create meaningful change in their communities.
Among the many organisations supported by the foundation, Tour de Cure exemplifies the kind of long-term partnership the foundation seeks to build. In 2023/24, the foundation contributed $60,000 to this cycling event dedicated to raising funds for cancer research, support and prevention programs.
“Tour de Cure is one that stands out, not just because of the incredible cause it supports but because of the depth and longevity of our relationship,” says Standfield. “We’ve been proudly supporting Tour de Cure for over seven years now, and it’s become so much more than a fundraising initiative for us. It’s a cause that’s embedded in our culture.”
The partnership has engaged stakeholders across the entire Insurance Advisernet ecosystem, creating a unifying cause for the network.
“What’s special about Tour de Cure is that it brings our entire network together – advisers, staff, insurer partners and even clients, united by a common goal to help fund cancer research, support and prevention programs,” Standfield explains.
The personal connection many team members feel to the cause has strengthened engagement throughout the organisation. “Many of our team members have ridden in the events, fundraised or shared their personal stories of how cancer has touched their lives. There’s something incredibly moving about that – it becomes personal, and it becomes powerful.”
The partnership has contributed to significant outcomes in the fight against cancer. “To date, Tour de Cure has raised more than $130 million for cancer-related causes, and we’re proud to have played a part in that,” says Standfield. “It’s the perfect example of the kind of impact we strive for: long-term partnerships, deep community engagement and support that leads to real, measurable outcomes.”
to guide its work today. “It’s worth noting that the foundation itself was never just a corporate initiative. It was established in 2015 by Ian Carr, our founder, who wanted to bring together the goodwill already alive within the IA network,” Standfield explains. “He believed in using business success to create positive change – and that belief still drives everything we do through the foundation today.”
For Standfield and the Insurance Advisernet team, the foundation’s mission can be distilled to a fundamental principle: “Ultimately, our goal is simple: to make sure that wherever IA has a footprint, there’s also a force for good walking alongside it.”
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Making a measurable impact
Tour de Cure: a case study in sustained impact
Published 16 Jun 2025
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“We work in an industry that’s all about being there when people need support. So if we’re serious about that, it shouldn’t end with insurance; it should extend into every part of our business”
Shaun Standfield,
Insurance Advisernet
In 2023/24 reporting year
$4m+ to over 30 registered charities
Since establishment in 2015
Source: Insurance Advisernet Foundation
150,000
Insurance Advisernet clients by country
120,000
90,000
60,000
30,000
0
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Australia
New Zealand
Total
The foundation has proven to be more than a charitable initiative – it serves as a powerful connector between Insurance Advisernet’s network of advisers, clients and insurance partners.
“There’s something incredibly powerful about doing good together,” Standfield says. “Over the years, we’ve seen the foundation become a connector – a reason for our advisers, clients and insurer partners to come together with a shared sense of purpose.”
This shared commitment to community welfare has transformed business relationships throughout the network, creating bonds that go beyond professional transactions.
“When clients see that their adviser is involved in local charities or causes that matter to them, it creates trust and emotional connection,” says Standfield. “When our insurer partners help raise funds for our foundation at our annual conference, or match fundraising efforts, it cements a partnership that goes beyond business metrics.”
The result is a network built on shared values rather than just commercial interests. “It shows we’re aligned not just commercially but ethically. That alignment deepens loyalty, strengthens bonds and builds a culture where everyone feels proud to belong.”
Building relationships through shared purpose
For Standfield, the foundation’s work connects to his own history of involvement with not-for-profit organisations. “It’s very personal for me,” he says. “Before joining Insurance Advisernet, I spent over seven years on the board of KidsXpress, a truly inspiring organisation dedicated to supporting children who’ve experienced trauma.”
This helped shape his perspective on the role businesses can play in addressing community needs. “That experience taught me so much about the power of early intervention and the ripple effect one organisation can have on generations of lives. It also solidified my belief that giving back should be embedded in how we do business.”
The foundation represents an opportunity to apply these lessons across a broader platform. “So when I look at the work of the IA Foundation, it hits close to home. It’s more than just a corporate initiative – it’s a living, breathing reflection of our values as a network,” says Standfield.
His passion for the foundation’s work stems from witnessing its direct impact. “Being able to support grassroots charities, many of which are doing life-changing work in silence, is both a privilege and a responsibility I take seriously,” he says. “It’s what gives purpose to what we do every day. When you see first-hand the impact a donation or show of support can have, it stays with you, and it drives you to keep doing more.”
A personal mission
The foundation’s future includes significant expansion plans, reflecting Insurance Advisernet’s growth across Australia and New Zealand.
“In 2025, we’re incredibly proud to be launching the IA Foundation in New Zealand. It’s a significant step and one we’ve been building towards for some time,” says Standfield. “Just as we’ve done in Australia, we want the foundation to grow in parallel with our business – always community-driven, always focused on grassroots impact.”
With an expanding adviser network, Standfield sees increasing opportunities to extend the foundation’s reach and influence. “As Insurance Advisernet expands, so does our opportunity and responsibility – to leave a legacy that lasts. We want the foundation to continue to evolve with the changing needs of the communities we serve.”
The foundation’s origin story reflects the values that continue
The road ahead
The foundation’s giving extends to a multitude of causes. In 2023/24 alone, major donations included $70,000 to the Australian Men’s Shed Association, $40,000 to the Starlight Children’s Foundation, $35,000 to the Black Dog Institute for mental health initiatives, and $25,000 each to organisations like the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, the Brisbane Youth Service, What Ability and the Sacred Heart Mission.
This diverse portfolio of supported organisations reflects the foundation’s commitment to addressing a wide range of community needs – from mental health and youth homelessness to disability support and medical research. These partnerships are chosen with care, often reflecting the personal connections and values of Insurance Advisernet’s network of advisers.
A diverse charitable portfolio
For Standfield, corporate philanthropy represents an essential aspect of genuine business leadership, particularly in the insurance sector.
“Leadership isn’t just about performance or profit. It’s about purpose. We work in an industry that’s all about being there when people need support,” Standfield observes. “So if we’re serious about that, it shouldn’t end with insurance; it should extend into every part of our business.”
He emphasises that business leaders have both the opportunity and responsibility to create positive change. “As leaders, we have a platform and an opportunity to do something meaningful with it. Giving back shouldn’t be a PR initiative or a one-off; it should be embedded in our values and our actions.”
This approach shapes the legacy Standfield hopes to build through the foundation. “The legacy I hope we leave is one of authenticity, generosity and heart. A network that didn’t just talk about making a difference, we rolled up our sleeves and did it.”
Leadership with purpose
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Copyright © 2025 KM Business Information Australia Pty Ltd
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Copyright © 2025 KM Business Information Australia Pty Ltd
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Resources
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