Safire Insurance Company

General manager – crop division

Forestry career: 27 years

My job involves interacting with private timber-growers who need fire insurance for their commercially grown plantations. I help them structure their insurance to meet their financial needs and ensure the sustainability of their operations should they suffer losses. Fires can have devastating effects on a business, in some cases, affecting families who have farmed a property for many generations. I assess and quantify claims after an event, institute legal action against third parties should one of our clients have suffered a loss as a result of their negligence, and defend any legal action instituted against them.

WHY I LOVE WORKING IN THE FORESTRY SECTOR

Foresters are passionate about land and the environment and are a pleasure to deal with. They are not only timber-growers but also businessmen and women who are interesting to talk to. I have learned so much from all of them in so many aspects of my life. Each farm has a perfect lookout or spot and I’m always shown these with pride. I’ve been privileged to see a lot more of the real beauty of our country than most.

MY ADVICE TO THOSE EXPLORING A CAREER IN FORESTRY

I don’t solely work in forestry but see myself as part of the greater forestry community. I am really proud to be part of an industry that contributes so much to our country’s GDP. I am even more proud that forestry provides employment to people in rural areas that so desperately need upliftment. Forestry has done so much for empowering disadvantaged communities and individuals and has set an example for many other sectors to follow. Commercially grown plantations are essential to reducing the effects of climate change and, in time, will hopefully minimise the degradation of our natural forests. Why shouldn’t women be part of this exciting industry? Women are generally seen as the nurturing sex and could therefore take the brilliant work already being done to another level.