Matt Kent
Dealing With IOOF

Introducing…

Matt Kent, Business Development Manager, IOOF

1 What do you and your team do at IOOF?

I work as a Business Development Manager in the Victorian adviser distribution/sales team. My team’s key role is to build and maintain IOOF’s relationships and profile with our extensive adviser network through both our aligned network of advisers and with independent advisers.

2 When and why did you join IOOF?

I joined IOOF at the start of 2004 straight from University. They had advertised for some graduates when the company acquired, and were integrating, the AM Lifetrack book of business. A number of those people that started on the same day with me are still at IOOF today.

3 What was your first job?

Well as I said IOOF was my first “proper” job. Through Uni I did a fair bit of work at an importing/exporting business which was great fun as we had a very young team. I’m sure everyone has tall tales about their first ever job. Mine was so removed from corporate life. Cash in hand, dodgy work practices and smoko’s even for those of us that didn’t smoke, but you certainly learnt ways to think on your feet and get the job done. It was hard work unloading shipping containers but for 14 dollars an hour I thought I had hit the jackpot.

4 What is the strangest thing that’s happened to you at work?

I can’t say that there has been anything really odd happen over the last 5 years. Although one day someone who was on the run from police somehow managed to get into the fire stair well of the building and was trying to hide out in there. That caused a bit of excitement at the time.

5 Tell us one fact your colleagues might be surprised to learn

One thing that people in my team seem to find funny is my fussy eating. I actually don’t think it’s that bad but they like to make fun of it. I don’t eat seafood or anything that is even remotely spicy under any circumstance. Not because I’m allergic or anything but just because I don’t like it.

6 Craziest thing I've done…

Craziest thing at work would be letting a work colleague convince me that black and white tips in my hair would be a good look. (Its not as you end up looking like a soccer ball).

Outside work it would be doing a shark dive at the Melbourne aquarium and rubbing a 2 metre stingrays belly and being 10 cm away from great white shark with no cage.

7 Something I’d like to learn is…

I’d like to learn more about cars. When you drive an old Magna you should definitely learn more about cars! Mainly how to fix them.

8 What is your favourite sports team?

Those that know me would know I have a fairly unhealthy love for the Geelong Football Club like many people at IOOF. It’s a tough childhood let me tell you growing up at school supporting a club that can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in any circumstance. I was a supporter when it used to be socially uncool to support Geelong but now everyone seems to be on board.

9 What is your favourite TV show?

I love the Office. UK version of course. I borrowed the box set off a good friend in admin and I don’t think I’ve given it back.

10 If I didn't live in Melbourne…

Overseas it would be great to live in either New York or London as all my friends that have done so say it was a fantastic experience. In Australia I’ll say Sydney to keep the Sydney sales team happy but we all know that Melbourne is the best city in the world.

I do love Port Fairy on the south west coastline of Victoria so if IOOF are happy to let me work remotely there for the summer I’d be all for it.