Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
Barry Thatcher is one of Australia’s most experienced bankers and finance brokers, with a background in the business, corporate and institutional banking sectors of the country’s leading banks. Originally a key person in setting up the nab industry specialisations including Franchising, Education & Government and Healthcare and later a national industry leader of specialisation for Westpac.
Barry founded Thatcher Finance in 2015 and has built his career around helping clients by delivering innovative financial solutions that drive business transformation, growth and personal wealth.
As an industry leader, Barry is renowned for his customer-focused approach and professionalism in delivering structured lending solutions and unparalleled cross-industry expertise. Highly awarded, he consistently exceeds client expectations by providing strategic advice to business owners and professionals who have complexity in their requirements.
Based in Hawthorn in Melbourne, Thatcher Finance now has a client base spread all around the country with a key focus on professionals and business owners. “I’ve built my career on helping clients not just secure finance but achieve transformation — whether that’s growing a business, investing in property, or building personal wealth. It’s about delivering smart, tailored solutions that support long-term success,” Barry says.
86 Hawthorn Grove, Hawthorn, Melbourne, VIC
0404 882 132
barry@tfco.com.au
linkedin.com/in/barrythatcher
tfco.com.au
Barry Thatcher
Director
Thatcher Finance
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
1994–2003
2003–2011
2011–2015
2015–Present
Present
Dealer Account Manager, Credit Supervisor, Commercial Lending at Ford Motor Credit Company
1994–
2003
Various roles at National Australia Bank
2003–
2011
National Head of Education and Social Sector Banking at Westpac
2011–
2015
2015–Present: Director at Thatcher Finance
2017: Australian Mortgage Broking Awards – Independent Brokerage Finalist, Connective Broker Awards – Newcomer Winner, The Adviser Australian Broking Awards – Newcomer Finalist
2019: MPA Top 50 Broker of the Year
2020: The Australian Mortgage Awards – La Trobe Financial Broker of the Year: Commercial, The Australian Mortgage Awards, FBAA Broker of the Year: Independent, Connective Broker Awards Finalist – Broker of the Year, Connective Broker Awards Winner – Commercial Broker of the Year
2021: Connective Broker Awards Winner – Commercial Broker of the Year, Connective Broker Awards Winner – Commercial Brokerage of the Year, Connective Broker Awards Winner – Commercial Broker of the Year, Australian Mortgage Broking Awards Finalist – Commercial Broker of the Year, Australian Mortgage Broking Awards Finalist - Brokerage of the Year
2022: Australian Mortgage Broking Awards Finalist - Commercial Broker of the Year, Australian Mortgage Broking Awards Finalist – Finance Broker of the Year, Barry Thatcher
2023: The Adviser Better Business Awards – Best Residential Broker Finalist, MPA Top 50 Broker of the Year
2024: The Adviser Better Business Awards – Best Finance Broker Finalist, MPA Top Commercial Broker of the Year, Connective Broker Awards Finalist (winner yet to be announced) – Commercial Brokerage of the Year, Connective Broker Awards 2024 Finalist (winner yet to be announced) – Commercial Broker of the Year
2025: MPA Top Commercial Broker of the Year
2015–
Present
Senior Associate at Cooney Lees Morgan since 2022
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
•
•
•
•
•
Read on
Read on
