Damien attended Kostka Hall from 1972 then moved on to Xavier in 1977 leaving in 1980 after completing his HSC.
He went on to Monash University and Chisholm studying Banking and Finance.
Damien played football at the Old Xavs from 1981 until 1991. He joined the football club committee in 1987 until 2001, of which he was vice president for 6 years 1993 to 1999.
Damien’s company Honan Insurance Group has been a sponsor and major sponsor for over 30 years and has employed many of the players over that period, helping them start their professional careers.
His son Will Honan went to Xavier graduating in 2015, now at PWC and a current player with the Old Xavs.
Damien started at Honan Insurance Group in 1984. He became the Chief Executive Officer in 1993, taking over the business his father had established in 1964.
A natural visionary and entrepreneur, Damien successfully transformed Honan from a family business into a global organisation, which is now recognised as one of the largest independent brokers in the Asia Pacific. He recently sold a large share to TA a USA Private Equity company.
In November 2001, Damien’s dream of transforming Honan into a global business was realised when Honan Insurance Group became a member of the Worldwide Broker Network (WBN), the world’s largest network of independent property & casualty brokers and employee benefits consultants. This gave Honan the capability to provide a truly integrated global service.
Over the years Honan’s partnership with the WBN strengthened, with Honan solidifying their position as the Risk Partner of Choice in Australia and New Zealand, eventually encompassing the entire Asia Pacific region with offices also in Singapore and KL as well as Re insurance licenses in Asia.
In 2009, Damien was elected Chairman of WBN for 2 consecutive years. At that time the revenue of the WBN was US$5B. After his appointment, Damien continues his affiliation with the WBN as a NonExecutive Director. Honan today has over 400 employees with offices in every capital city in Australia and some large regional cities as well as New Zealand and Singapore and KL. Honan has also domiciled their first employee in the United States of America to work closely with our affiliated partners.
Damien has always felt strongly about partnering with the right organisations and groups, in particular those that share the same passions as him and work towards improving the community.
Sponsorship is Honan’s way of showing appreciation and support, for the organisations and groups that continue to shape personal and professional lives, as well as the lives of those around us.
We are proud to have been able to provide support and get involved with a number of local organisations and groups, including the Dunbar Rovers Football Club, Old Xavs, St Kilda Football Club, City 2 Surf, The Reach Foundation, Doxa Youth, Portsea Surf Life Saving Club, Ride to Conquer Cancer, WBN Charitable Foundation and more.
Damien is also an active member in the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) for the last 23 years and has since established several global relationships in his network.
Damien is married to Sally. Since the sale to TA, Damien has assumed the role of Executive Chairman.