5 Burwood Road Hawthorn Vic 3122
Media release
Mario Pirone new Guild Group MD
Experienced insurance executive Mario Pirone has been appointed managing director of the
Guild Group effective 19
th
October.
Mr. Pirone has 17 years experience as a senior executive and director at major organisations
across the areas of general insurance, funds management and financial services. Mario was
CEO of CGU Insurance from 2004 to February 2008 and prior to that, was Group Executive,
Asset Management, Insurance Australia Group (IAG). Mario has previously served on the
Boards of the Australian & New Zealand Institute of Insurance & Finance and Elders Financial
Services Group.
“As a highly regarded ASX experienced executive and director, Mario brings vast leadership
experience to the company”, said Guild Group Chairman Harry Zafer. “We were particularly
impressed by Mario’s strategic focus on customers and employees, which fits well with the
culture established within the Guild Group.”
Mario replaces retiring Guild Group managing director Brian Benger after ten years in the role.
Throughout his tenure, Brian oversaw significant growth across the Group with the value of
the business increasing more than six fold. During this time acquisitions for the Group
included an accounting firm, superannuation fund, commercial finance business and the
establishment of a commercial legal firm.
“Under Brian’s supervision, the Guild Group has expanded its range of services while
maintaining high service standards, and increasing revenue and profits. On behalf of the
Board, I’d like to thank Brian for his significant contribution to the Group”, said Mr. Zafer.
As staff numbers have grown from 100 to 380, Guild has established a coveted reputation for
its employee engagement and is a three-time winner of the Australian Human Resources
Institute award for ‘Excellence in People Management’. International survey firm Towers
Perrin has placed the Guild Group as one of its Top 35 Global High Performing companies for
its above industry standard financial performance and top-calibre people management
practices.
Mr. Pirone looks forward to continuing to build on these strengths. “I was drawn to the Guild
Group as a values-driven organisation with a demonstrated commitment to customer service”,
Mr. Pirone said. “It is clear that the Group cares deeply about developing long-term
relationships with clients and professional groups.”
Harry Zafer said, “The Board and I look forward to working with Mario who brings to the role
the vision and experience needed to lead the business to sustained growth while maintaining
its unique culture and world class customer service standards.”
For media enquiries contact
Harry Zafer – Chairman
08 9429 – 4184
Tiffany Conway – Chief Marketing Officer 03 9810 – 9820
About the Guild Group (Guild)
The Guild Group of Companies (Guild Group) provide specialised insurance, financial, and
professional services.
Established more than 45 years ago and wholly owned by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia,
the Guild Group has developed a reputation for delivering tailored solutions and a consistently
high level of customer service.
Guild distinguishes itself from other Australian-based organisations through its commitment to
professional groups. Guild conducts the majority of its business with the support of a referral
from professional associations.
Guild Insurance provides professional indemnity, business and domestic insurance products.
A direct insurer, Guild operates a network of regional offices throughout Australia, and also
has an office in New Zealand.
The Guild Group offers a range of financial services including two superannuation funds,
financial planning, life risk advice, and financing services from Guild Commercial Finance.
Also within the Guild Group of companies, are Guild Lawyers, providing litigation and
commercial legal services, the accounting firm Guild Accountants, and Guild Capital Asset
Management, an investment team responsible for managing the Guild Group’s investment
portfolio and an Australian Shares Fund.
NEWS 
