Updated September 2026

Assurance before insurance.

Risk Advisory Services (RAS) refers to an independent, fee-only advisory model that provides corporate clients with expert risk and insurance guidance, without broker commissions or insurer conflicts. We do not sell policies. Nor do we create them. What we offer is far more valuable: fierce, independent client advocacy.

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Our solutions-based approach to risk and insurance management is trusted by ASX 200 companies, large private firms, Private Equity houses, businesses with complex or hard-to-insure risk profiles, and Federal, State and Local Government bodies across Australia.

Why organisations choose Risk Advisory Services

Key Takeaways

What does an independent risk advisory service do?

An independent risk advisory service acts solely as an advocate for the corporate organisation that engages it, free from broker commissions, insurer fees, or conflicts of interest. RAS emphasises this independence because, according to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), transparency in insurance intermediary arrangements is a growing governance concern for Australian businesses.

While this position places RAS firmly between insurers and clients, everyone involved has a vital role to play. After years of working with our team, both agents and insurers know we are not out to undermine either side. Instead, we ensure clients get the best possible coverage and only the coverage they actually need, for the best possible premiums.

What expertise does the RAS team bring?

The RAS team holds over 200 years of combined industry experience, with an average of 22.5 years per professional. Team qualifications span insurance, law, accounting, finance, risk management, psychology, and business administration.

Additionally, that experience was derived from all areas of the sector. The team includes professionals who were formerly:

This diverse range of backgrounds, and the depth of knowledge that comes with it, places RAS in the right position to deliver tailored solutions for each client's individual needs.

How does RAS approach a new client engagement?

RAS takes a solutions-focused approach that begins with understanding the client's business, not reviewing their existing insurance. When we first engage with a new client, the last thing we look at is their insurance programme.

Instead, we start with the problems, issues that are often hidden or have never been considered. We take time to fully understand your business processes, risk profile, challenges, and even your industry if it is the first time we have worked in that sector. According to the ISO 31000 risk management standard, this kind of context-setting is a core step in effective risk assessment. Without this overview, we would not be able to deliver the tailored solutions we do. It also means we can confirm your insurance programme delivers maximum value for your risk profile.

Discuss Your Corporate Risk Profile

What services does Risk Advisory Services offer?

RAS provides four core service lines, each designed to address a specific corporate risk or insurance management need. The table below summarises these solutions.

RAS Core Service Lines

Service

Focus

Description

Independent Insurance Solutions

Total independence for the right outcome

A practical, risk-based approach to insurance management. Ensures your programme is properly aligned with your risk profile and delivering maximum value.

Due Diligence Solutions

Trusted advice for the private equity sector

Insurance and risk management specialist support for project teams in private equity, debt financing, and mergers & acquisitions.

Outsourced Management Solutions

Complete insurance and risk management

RAS operates as an outsourced Insurance Manager / Risk Manager, a cost-effective alternative to hiring internal employees whose industry knowledge may be limited.

Risk Management Solutions

Access to deep expertise and knowledge

Risk professionals help embed risk management into your organisation's culture, driving and supporting growth and innovation.

What engagement options are available?

RAS offers three flexible engagement models so clients can match support to their timing, resources, and budget. According to RIMS (Risk and Insurance Management Society), flexible advisory models are increasingly preferred by mid-to-large organisations that need expert support without a permanent headcount increase.

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What do clients say about Risk Advisory Services?

RAS has delivered measurable results for organisations ranging from ASX-listed corporations to government-funded conservation bodies. The following client testimonials reflect the breadth and depth of that work.

"Woolworths partnered with RAS to provide independent advice on its risk financing strategy. They assisted Woolworths to develop a new strategy to finance some of its key risks and was ultimately supported by the Board. Their professionalism, knowledge of and independence from the brokers are key strengths and highly valued by Woolworths." — Woolworths Group
"Risk Advisory Services has been the outsourced insurance manager for GMA Garnet for many years, providing reliable and professional support throughout. Their assistance made navigating insurance simple and efficient. We've valued the relationship and would happily recommend their services to others." — Luke Anderson, Chief Financial Officer, GMA Garnet Group
"Aleks and Tony from Risk Advisory Services made the process of running our insurance broker tender straightforward and stress free. They were professional, easy to work with, and delivered a great outcome for our business." — Cinde Fisher, Corporate Services Director, MRBTA
"Risk Advisory Services has worked on more than 40 due diligence projects for PEP over the last 13 years. We continue to engage RAS because they have identified numerous opportunities for us to reduce insurance costs for our portfolio companies, improve the quality of the insurance products they buy and get the best value for money from the insurance industry." — Shannon Wolfers, Pacific Equity Partners
"Risk Advisory Services has been managing the insurance programme for Brownes Dairy since 2010. Over this time RAS has really provided significant benefit to Brownes, and I am very grateful for their ongoing help, advice, and valuable service." — Joanne Edwards, Chief Financial Officer, Brownes Dairy
"In an extremely tight insurance market, Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) first engaged Risk Advisory Services in 2020 to undertake an independent insurance review. RAS now provides in-house management support for AWC's annual insurance renewal, ad-hoc insurance advice, and broker and underwriter performance management." — Andre van Boheemen, Chief Financial Officer, Australian Wildlife Conservancy
"We engaged Risk Advisory Services to develop consistent Risk Management processes and systems across our organisation following numerous acquisitions. We are now in a position where we can better measure and monitor risk." — Chris Wilks, Group CFO & Finance Director, Sonic Healthcare Limited
"Risk Advisory Services provided CCA with the means through an independent Risk & Insurance review and series of recommendations to reduce our insurance costs and achieve an enhanced match between our risks and available insurance cover." — Michael Braude, Former Group Treasurer, Coca-Cola Amatil

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is RAS different from an insurance broker?

RAS is not an insurance broker and does not sell or create policies. Unlike brokers, RAS earns no commissions or fees from insurers. The firm operates on a fee-for-service basis paid solely by the client, which removes the conflicts of interest that can arise in commission-based brokerage models. This independence means advice is aligned entirely with the client's risk profile and budget.

What types of organisations use Risk Advisory Services?

RAS works with ASX 200 companies, large private firms, Private Equity houses (including Pacific Equity Partners), businesses with complex risk profiles, and Federal, State and Local Government organisations. Named clients include Woolworths Group, Sonic Healthcare, Coca-Cola Amatil, GMA Garnet Group, Brownes Dairy, and Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Can RAS manage an insurance renewal on my behalf?

Yes. Under the Outsourced Management Solutions model, RAS can act as a fully outsourced Insurance Manager. The team integrates with your staff and manages the full renewal cycle from market engagement to policy placement review. This is a cost-effective alternative to hiring a full-time internal insurance manager, especially for organisations that lack deep in-house expertise.

Does RAS provide due diligence for private equity transactions?

Yes. RAS has completed more than 40 due diligence projects for Pacific Equity Partners alone over a 13-year period. The team acts as insurance and risk management specialists for project teams in private equity, debt financing, and mergers & acquisitions, identifying cost-reduction and coverage-improvement opportunities during the transaction process.

Is RAS suitable for smaller organisations or only large corporates?

While RAS's client base includes ASX-listed corporations, it also supports mid-market businesses and not-for-profit organisations such as Australian Wildlife Conservancy. The flexible engagement options: in-house support, periodic help, or one-off project reviews, allow organisations of different sizes and budgets to access the same level of expertise.

For a free, no-obligation chat about how we can help solve any insurance or risk management problem your organisation needs help with, reach out to us today.

Drop us an email Call us on 1300 768 745