Topic HR
How MGAs are dealing with underwriter shortages
December 12, 2022 by Jason ContantCanadian P&C managing general agencies (MGAs) are dealing with a lack of underwriters due to increased demand for products and services combined with traditional staff turnover, an industry executive told Canadian Underwriter. “MGAs are, from what we see, the fastest…
Acera Insurance names industry vet as new CFO
December 7, 2022 by David GambrillFayeanne Beattie is the new chief financial officer of Acera Insurance. She has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry in various roles, primarily in finance. Most recently she was the CFO of Gallagher Global Brokerage Americas,…
Do digitally efficient brokerages make better acquisition targets?
December 2, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoBrokerage owners shouldn’t just invest in digitization for its own sake, says one financial advisor. They should do it to make a purchase and integration easier for consolidators. Consolidators don’t necessarily expect small brokerages to digitize before acquisition, said Alex…
Does digitizing help smaller brokerages appeal to buyers?
November 28, 2022 by Alyssa Di SabatinoSmall or family-owned brokerages prioritizing digitization strategies will be in a better position to grow through a merger or acquisition, experts told Canadian Underwriter. But it may be easier said than done, given financial or resource constraints faced by many…
Does an immuno-compromised adjuster have to return to field work?
November 23, 2022 by The CIP Society, Insurance Institute of CanadaFor almost three years, there’s been confusion around COVID-19 protocols. It’s made it hard for people to get on with their daily lives. An example of how these stresses burden our industry is illustrated in a dilemma faced by a…
Meet Aviva Canada’s new CFO
November 21, 2022 by David GambrillNav Dhillon will join Aviva Canada as Chief Financial Officer, starting December 2022. “I’m delighted to welcome Nav into Aviva’s executive leadership team,” Aviva Canada CEO Jason Storah said in an announcement. “Nav brings with him a broad range of experience in…
Canadian insurtech announces layoffs
November 16, 2022 by David GambrillVancouver-based insurtech Apollo Insurance has laid off approximately 25% of its workforce of about 125 people across Canada, according to one source familiar with the matter. Employees were told during a 9 a.m. meeting, Pacific Time, according to the source,…
Behind the upcoming CEO change at Westland
November 15, 2022 by Jason ContantWestland Insurance Group is looking to evolve its leadership and talent by bringing in different backgrounds and perspectives, the brokerage’s outgoing CEO, Jason Wubs, told Canadian Underwriter in a recent interview. Effective Jan. 1, 2023, Jamie Lyons will become president…
Three options for selling your brokerage
November 11, 2022 by Philip PoradoA consistent stream of property and casualty brokerage acquisition announcements over the past few years likely has a lot of brokerage owners thinking about how they’ll eventually exit the business. For most sales transactions, there are three basic options. One…
IBC announces new president and CEO
November 10, 2022 by Canadian Underwriter StaffCelyeste Power will succeed retiring Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) president and CEO Don Forgeron at the end of 2022. Power, who takes over as president and CEO on January 1, 2023, is currently executive vice-president for strategic initiatives and…
Aspiring brokerage owners share the biggest obstacles for ownership
November 8, 2022 by Alyssa DiSabatinoWhat’s the biggest barrier to brokerage ownership for the 30% of brokers who aspire to one-day buy their own firm? Financing, according to results from a Canadian Underwriter online survey. Of the 30% of broker respondents who want to own, exactly…
How to develop the P&C industry’s future leaders
November 8, 2022 by Jason ContantIt’s important for women in Canada’s insurance industry to hear stories about the paths other women leaders have taken to achieve success, said the winner of a national leadership award from the Insurance Institute of Canada. “We need to give…