Profile
“Communication with funders, clients and key people is something I strive to achieve every day”
Jon Gawley,
Kanebridge Finance
Jon Gawley built his career from the ground up, beginning as a young professional from Perth who moved to Sydney in search of opportunity. He got his start at a housing co-operative, where he quickly stood out for his instinct for finance.
That early foundation led him through roles in mortgage management, a six-year run with Suncorp, and a 15-year commercial banking career at NAB. After the pandemic, his path took another turn that would define his next chapter.
He joined forces with Marwan Rahme to lead Kanebridge Finance, a move born out of a longstanding professional bond and shared vision.
Ground Floor, Suite 3, 50 Macquarie Street North, Liverpool, NSW 2170
1300 526 327
jon.gawley@kanebridgefinance.com.au
au.linkedin.com/in/jon-gawley-5b657229
kanebridgefinance.com.au
Jon Gawley
Managing Director
Kanebridge Finance
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“Our team’s strength allows us to secure complex commercial loans and private funding solutions efficiently”
Jon Gawley,
Kanebridge Finance
2003–2008
2008–2021
2014–2021
2021–2023
2023–Present
Business Development Manager at Suncorp
Drove business lending growth and developed strong commercial client relationships
2003–
2008
Business Banking Manager at NAB
Delivered banking services to SMEs, focusing on growth, lending, and long-term financial planning
2008–
2021
Senior Business Banking Manager at NAB
Managed complex business client relationships and tailored banking solutions in Liverpool, NSW
2014–
2021
Senior Portfolio Manager at Kanebridge
Oversaw client portfolios and contributed to strategic financial planning and lending services
2021–
2023
Managing Director at Kanebridge Finance (NSW)
Leads a team with 20+ years of business and commercial banking experience, providing finance solutions to individuals and businesses
2023–
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.
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As managing director, Gawley leads with a relationship-first, solutions-focused mindset. He’s at his best when tackling tough problems with an approach that’s hands-on, built on experience, and always centered on getting the right outcome for clients.
His most significant achievement is expanding the Kanebridge Finance team and growing its expertise, which boasts over 100 years of combined experience. Gawley ranked on MPA’s prestigious 2025 Top Commercial Brokers list, a testament to his outstanding total commercial loan volume in FY24.
In the current environment, tightening credit policies pose the biggest challenge, making it more difficult for businesses to access funding. Gawley overcomes this by putting the brokerage’s combined expertise in private lending and commercial finance to work, ensuring clients receive the right solutions.
Whether structuring a development loan, securing private funding, or overcoming lender restrictions, Gawley’s problem-solving skills come to light. He focuses on finding the best outcomes for clients, which includes connecting them to the appropriate funders for their needs.
“Communication with funders, clients, and key people is something I strive to achieve every day,” he notes. “Our team’s strength allows us to secure complex commercial loans and private funding solutions efficiently. With the right balance of staff and key expertise across the business, we can ensure the right people are involved in every scenario we face.”
His ability to provide solutions when others can’t is a major draw in attracting and retaining clients. Many clients turn to him and his team after being turned away by banks and appreciate the balance of modern broking with an old-school banking relationship.
For Gawley, success is about longevity. Delivering value means building the right structure now, which still makes sense years later. He’s quick to credit his team for their expertise, agility, and shared values, central to the firm’s growing impact across development finance, asset and equipment finance, and tailored lending solutions.