Kathy Park

In 1991 I took a contract role working for Queensland Industry Development Corporation (QIDC) initially in their Treasury Dealing Room, then more long term in their Human Resources (HR) area helping implement the new payroll system. In 1992 a permanent HR role became available, and I thought, okay I’ll do that for a while. QIDC was a great place to work. Friendly, good work ethic, great people.

After about 18 months, I thought I should move on. But then another great job came up internally, so I stayed. The company was going through a growth phase and it was still just as friendly and fun. I was constantly learning and being exposed to new development opportunities. Then the company offered to pay for my university degree. Just after that we started a new Learning & Development area, and I learned how to become a trainer.

In late 1996 the three way merger between Suncorp, Metway Bank and QIDC was announced, and that meant tonnes of opportunities. I quickly acquired Merger and Acquisition skills and was subsequently promoted to more senior and better roles within HR.

Over the next few years I got to work as a Principal Consultant within Business Banking, Finance and Retail Banking. This gave me great exposure to the CEO, Group Executives and General Managers and helped increase my job prospects. As the culture developed, so did I. My values and those that the company espoused were closely aligned. And I felt more at home than ever working here.

However, after 10 years in HR I really was ready for a change. I’d learned, I’d grown…. I just missed being a business person. Instead of thinking about leaving this time, through the Leadership Framework restructuring, I was appointed to a Manager role in Property Claims that allowed me to re-acquaint myself with being a business person again. A couple of years into that role, and the opportunity came up to manage the Claims Business Model Program.
This had been a great opportunity to develop project management skills in a strategic role, and I can honestly say it’s one of the best things I’ve ever had the chance to do for Suncorp.

Perhaps I see it as my opportunity to repay Suncorp for everything they’ve done for me in my time here. I just know it’s a tremendous program, full of passion for what we do here in Claims, manned by a truly great team, delivering significant change for the business that will genuinely help our customers. A person couldn’t ask for a better opportunity.

The project finishes in December this year, and who knows what’s around the corner? Whatever it is I’m sure it will provide me with another opportunity to expand my repertoire. I’ve been here for 15 years now, and it’s been years since I thought, perhaps I should move on. Instead, I know that there are plenty of great roles here at Suncorp that I could perform. Who knows what the next opportunity will bring? Personally, I can’t wait to find out!

Kathy Park
Manager
Commercial Insurance