About us
People. Passion. Protection
Our Journey
Growing Stronger Together
Since 2012, Tidal Insurance Brokers has been providing trusted insurance advice and tailored insurance solutions to businesses and individuals across Australia. As a family-owned and operated business, we have built our reputation on strong relationships, personalised service, and a genuine commitment to putting our clients first.
Headquartered on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Tidal Insurance Brokers is the leading business within the Tidal Insurance Group. Through both organic growth and the successful acquisition of established insurance portfolios, we have continued to strengthen our expertise and expand our client offering. Over the years, we have welcomed Fraser Coast Insurance, Business Insurance Planning, River City Insurance, and most recently Avid Insurance Brokers into the group, creating a stronger and more diverse insurance network.
Avid Insurance Brokers has been one of the most significant acquisitions within the Tidal Insurance Group, and we are incredibly proud of the successful integration of its valued clients and strong community presence into our growing family of businesses.
Established in 2015 in Lismore, NSW, Avid Insurance Brokers built a trusted reputation based on genuine relationships, personalised advice, and helping clients protect what matters most. Founder and owner Dave Katschke created a highly respected brokerage known for its commitment to exceptional client service and strong local connections.
When Dave decided to pursue a career change and fulfil his dream of owning and operating a farm, he carefully considered the future of the business and, most importantly, the ongoing care of his clients. He ultimately selected Tidal Insurance Brokers as the successor to Avid Insurance Brokers because he believed our values, business ethics, and client-first approach closely aligned with the principles on which Avid was built.
Today, Tidal Insurance Brokers and Avid Insurance Brokers operate as one team, combining decades of industry experience, local knowledge, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes for our clients. While our head office is based on the Gold Coast, we proudly service clients throughout Australia. Our directors regularly travel to meet clients face-to-face, ensuring businesses receive personalised advice and support wherever they are located.
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we have invested heavily in technology and recently implemented a sophisticated brokerage management platform. This enhanced system enables us to communicate more effectively with our clients, streamline administration processes, improve response times, and deliver a seamless service experience while maintaining the personal relationships that have always been at the heart of our business.
Whether you prefer to meet in person, online, or at your place of business, our focus remains the same: building lasting relationships and providing insurance solutions that protect what matters most.
Tailoring your strategy
Implement your insurance strategy
Day-to-day cover management
Support through claims process
Reviewing and renewing your cover
What we do
Guiding you through the insurance maze
Insurance can be complex, but that’s where we come in. At Tidal Insurance Brokers, our role is to simplify the process and provide clear, expert guidance every step of the way. As your trusted insurance partner, we take the time to understand your unique circumstances, assess your risks, and recommend insurance solutions tailored to your needs.
We believe that the most important aspect of any insurance program is ensuring the cover is genuinely fit for purpose. That means not only finding competitive premiums, but also making sure your policy responds when you need it most. By understanding your business, assets, operations, and future goals, we can identify potential gaps in coverage and provide protection that aligns with your specific requirements.
With access to a broad range of insurers and products, we work on your behalf to secure the right cover at competitive terms, ensuring you have the protection you need when it matters most. Whether you’re a business owner, property investor, farmer, tradesperson, or individual, we’re here to provide professional advice, ongoing support, and strong advocacy in the event of a claim.
Backed by industry expertise, personalised service, and a commitment to building long-term relationships, we make insurance easier to understand, easier to manage, and easier to trust. So you can focus on what matters most, knowing you’re protected by a team that genuinely has your back.
the People Behind Avid Insurance Brokers
Meet the team
Mark Skea - CEO
Mark founded Tidal Insurance Brokers in 2012 and brings more than 50 years of international insurance experience to the business. Throughout his distinguished career, he has successfully arranged insurance solutions across a diverse range of commercial, corporate, agricultural, and personal sectors, earning a reputation for delivering strategic risk management advice and exceptional client outcomes.
As CEO and head of the Tidal Insurance Group, Mark has been instrumental in the company’s growth and success, leading the acquisition and integration of multiple insurance portfolios across Australia. His vision has helped establish Tidal Insurance Brokers as a trusted, family-owned business that combines personalised service with innovative technology and nationwide reach.
Mark is passionate about fostering a client-first culture built on professionalism, integrity, and service excellence. He takes great pride in leading a team dedicated to providing fit-for-purpose insurance solutions, building long-term relationships, and ensuring outstanding client satisfaction and retention.
Authorised Broker Number: 441014
Tyrone Skea - Broking Operations Director
Tyrone Skea has been an integral part of Tidal Insurance Brokers since 2012 and is proud to be one of the company’s founding employees. Holding a Bachelor of Business with a specialisation in Management, Tyrone has played a key role in the growth and success of the business over the years.
As Broking Operations Director, Tyrone oversees a diverse portfolio of commercial and business insurance risks, providing clients with expert advice and tailored insurance solutions across a broad range of industries. His extensive knowledge of business insurance and strong understanding of risk management enables him to secure fit-for-purpose cover that protects clients’ assets, operations, and long-term success.
Committed to delivering exceptional service and building lasting client relationships, Tyrone works closely with clients and insurers to ensure insurance programs remain relevant, comprehensive, and responsive to changing business needs.
Authorised Broker Number: 441015
Bryce Skea - Director
Bryce Skea holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree, specialising in Economics and Finance. As a Director of Tidal Insurance Brokers, Bryce leads the commercial insurance team, overseeing a diverse portfolio of business clients and delivering tailored insurance and risk management solutions across a broad range of industries.
Bryce has developed particular expertise in the construction sector, working closely with builders, contractors, developers, and associated trades to identify and manage complex insurance risks. His in-depth understanding of the construction industry enables him to design fit-for-purpose insurance programs that protect businesses throughout every stage of a project.
In addition to heading the commercial division, Bryce remains actively involved in managing the business’s domestic insurance portfolio, providing clients with expert advice and personalised insurance solutions to protect their homes, vehicles, and personal assets. His strong analytical background, industry knowledge, and commitment to exceptional client service enable him to develop practical and comprehensive insurance solutions that meet the evolving needs of both business and individual clients.
Bryce is passionate about building long-term client relationships and works closely with insurers to secure competitive and comprehensive coverage that helps protect what matters most.
Authorised Broker Number: 1269032
Sean Skea - Director
Sean holds a Bachelor’s Degree specialising in Management and Finance and has attained his Tier 1 Insurance qualification. As a Director of Tidal Insurance Brokers, Sean has been instrumental in the growth and development of the business since its inception in 2012.
Drawing on valuable London market experience, Sean has extensive expertise across Personal Lines, SME and Corporate Insurance, with a strong focus on insurance placement, risk management and client service. He leads the Human Resources function for the Group and heads up Tidal’s Strata, Body Corporate and Domestic Insurance divisions, ensuring clients receive tailored insurance solutions and exceptional support.
Sean’s practical approach, industry knowledge and commitment to building strong relationships have made him a trusted adviser to clients and a key leader within the business.
Authorised Broker Number: 1304733
Amy Walsh - Broker Assistant
Amy brings more than 12 years of experience across the financial services and insurance industries and is a valued member of the Tidal Insurance Brokers team. With a strong focus on Strata, Body Corporate, and Domestic Insurance, she is dedicated to providing clients with professional guidance, responsive service, and a seamless insurance experience.
Known for her attention to detail and approachable nature, Amy works closely with clients, insurers, and colleagues to coordinate the placement and ongoing management of insurance policies. Her extensive industry knowledge, strong organisational skills, and commitment to achieving positive outcomes help ensure each client receives timely, accurate, and reliable support throughout their insurance journey.
Amy takes pride in building strong relationships and delivering a high standard of service, helping clients navigate their insurance needs with confidence and peace of mind.
Sharon Stander - Broker Assistant
Sharon brings more than 28 years of experience across the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance sectors, supported by a Diploma in Principles of Business and Management. Her skill set lies primarily within Commercial Lines Insurance, where she has developed extensive knowledge of insurance products, risk management, policy administration, and client service.
With strong business acumen, attention to detail, and technical expertise, Sharon plays an integral role in supporting both clients and the broking team. She is instrumental in ensuring the efficient implementation of processes and systems across the business, helping to deliver a seamless and professional experience for our clients.
Tearna Colvin - Broker Assistant
Tearna brings more than 13 years of insurance industry experience across administration, underwriting, and broking. As a versatile and highly valued member of the team, she provides support across a broad range of client needs and plays an integral role in assisting the Strata, Domestic, and Commercial teams. Tearna is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and takes pride in ensuring clients receive prompt, professional, and personalised support throughout their insurance journey.
Specialises in: Underwriting Assistance, Policy Administration, Strata Insurance, Domestic Insurance, Commercial Insurance, and Client Service.
Natasha Milla - Administration & Commercial Support
Natasha holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Science and is currently undertaking her Juris Doctor (Law) degree. She brings extensive experience from the medicolegal and legal sectors, with a strong background in managing complex administrative processes and delivering high-level professional support.
Natasha specialises in providing support to the Commercial Team, assisting with policy administration, client service, and business operations. She also plays an important role within the accounting function, supporting financial administration and helping to ensure the smooth day-to-day operation of the business
Skye Votano - Claims Manager
With over 25 years of insurance industry experience, Skye is an accomplished Claims Manager who is passionate about delivering outstanding outcomes for clients when they need support most. Skye has extensive expertise across a broad range of insurance claims and is highly skilled in managing both straightforward and complex claims from initial notification through to final settlement.
Skye’s abilities extend beyond claims management to include assessing, investigations, and risk management, giving her a comprehensive understanding of the insurance industry. Her extensive knowledge enables her to identify issues early, navigate complex claim situations, and develop practical solutions that achieve the best possible outcomes for clients.
Known for her attention to detail, strong negotiation skills, and client-focused approach, Skye works closely with insurers, loss adjusters, and clients to ensure claims are handled efficiently, fairly, and with minimal disruption.
At Tidal Insurance Brokers, Skye is committed to advocating for clients every step of the way, providing expert guidance and support throughout the claims process, while ensuring clients receive the highest level of service during what can often be a challenging time.
