About us

Pinnacle Insurance Services P/L was established in July 2007 following the merging of Nelson Sturgess Insurance Services, Rowlands General Insurance Services, Brisbane Valley Insurance Services and the general insurance arm of Peter Ahern Financial Planners. This consolidation was done to increase the efficency of General Insurance advice that could be provided to our clients. Shortly after the general insurance businesses of the Focus Financial Planning and Wealth Directions groups were purchased and now form part of our group.

With a gross annual premium written of $5,000,000 Pinnacle is one of the largest general insurance intermediaries on the Sunshine Coast and surrounds.

Pinnacle Insurance Services have 6 fully accredited and experienced General Insurance advisers and our aim is to provide professional advice to our clients so as to assist with all their general insurance needs.

Advisers & Staff

Position: Director
Name: Roland Starr
Authorised Representative of AMPGID & AFMIB

Roland commenced  with AMP General Insurance in Sydney in 1972 and moved to the Sunshine Coast as AMP General Branch Manager in 1982.  After several years in this role Roland left AMP and joined Nelson Sturgess & Associates which today is part of the Pinnacle Insurance Services group. 
Roland is co-manager in the business and has extensive experience in the SME market and is fully accredited in all classes of General Insurance.

Position: Director
Name: Brian O’Halloran
Authorised Representative of AMPGID & AFMIB

Brian commenced in Insurance Broking in 1972 and moved to the Sunshine Coast in a General Insurance role in 1977 and most recently was the General Insurance Manager of Rowlands General Insurances in Gympie. Brian is co-manager in the business and also fully acquainted with the General Insurance needs of most types of businesses.  Brian is also a Senior Associate of the Australian and New Zealand Insurance Institute.

Position: General Insurance Consultant
Name: Annette Welch
Authorised Representative of AMPGID & AFMIB

Annette commenced in Insurance in 1980 with a major insurer in Sydney.  She moved to the Sunshine Coast in 1986 and worked in a major brokerage until 2000 when she commenced working for Nelson Sturgess & Associates.  Annette oversees all aspects of Commercial and Personal Insurance and Claims. 


Position: General Insurance Consultant
Name: Nathan Starr
Authorised Representative of AMPGID & AFMIB

Nathan commenced in general insurance in 2005 on the Coast with a National Insurer and joined Pinnacle Insurance Services in 2007.  Nathan is part of our team that specialises in Personal Insurance and is fully accredited in this area and also assists in looking after our client’s claims. 



Position: General Insurance Consultant
Name: Shane Stenning
Authorised Representative of AMPGID & AFMIB

Shane commenced in general insurance in 2004 on the Coast with a National insurer and also joined Pinnacle Insurance Services in 2007.  Shane is part of our team that specialises in Personal Insurance and is fully accredited in this area and also assists in our claims department.

Position: Administration
Name: Bianca Cullen

Recently joined Pinnacle from Suncorp in NSW with responsibility for Claims and client service

Position: Administration
Name: Donna O’Halloran

Donna commenced with Pinnacle Insurance Services in 2005 and her main duties include reception and keeping our important client database up to date.