Topic Management
Diversity, equity and inclusion: Asking the ‘uncomfortable’ questions
October 22, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIf you think it’s a challenge to improve diversity at your brokerage, you should also view it as an opportunity, Ontario brokers heard Wednesday at the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario convention. Many brokerages are family-operated, Gore Mutual chief people…
Job opening: Lead this global Top 3 brokerage’s Canadian operation
October 14, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIf you think you have what it takes to lead Willis Towers Watson’s Canadian corporate risk and brokerage business, the job is open and it’s not too late to apply. “We’re currently interviewing,” said Ofelia Isabel, managing director, Toronto market…
The latest acquisitions from Westland and Hub
October 7, 2021 by Jason ContantLarge brokerages Westland Insurance Group Ltd. and Hub International Limited have both announced recent mergers and acquisitions activity. On Tuesday, Surrey, B.C.-headquartered Westland said it had acquired personal and commercial lines brokerage Insurance Unlimited in Mississauga, Ont. The following day,…
Where former RSA Canada president and CEO Martin Thompson is now
September 28, 2021 by Jason ContantMartin Thompson, until recently CEO of RSA Canada, will be stepping in as interim Group CEO of Brit Ltd., which is owned by Toronto-based Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited. Brit, which covers complex risks, said in a press release Tuesday that…
3 steps towards preventing ‘the Great Resignation’
September 21, 2021 by Jason ContantThe global COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a tidal wave of people quitting their jobs in what’s being called “the Great Resignation.” What can employers do to combat this wave of resignations? Take a three-step, more data-driven approach to retention, said…
IBAC reacts to federal election
September 21, 2021 by Greg MeckbachAs the results from Monday’s federal election come in, your national industry association is promising to educate new members of parliament on why it’s important to keep banking and insurance in separate industry silos. “We congratulate Prime Minister [Justin] Trudeau…
Why top performers should rotate throughout your company
August 26, 2021 by Jason ContantAllowing top performers to move around your brokerage or insurance company will be critical to retaining talent as businesses emerge from the pandemic, according to information adapted from a human resources think tank. “Of course, it’s human nature to want…
Should public workers’ compensation protect clients from liability for mental stress caused by harassment?
August 23, 2021 by Greg MeckbachOntario’s workers’ compensation tribunal was wrong when it decided that a Niagara Falls hotel can’t be sued by a former worker who alleges she was forced to quit after suffering harassment, the provincial Divisional Court has ruled. As a result…
How Lloyd’s insurers will react to capacity reductions in Canada
August 16, 2021 by Greg Meckbach“Constant churn” helps restore some capacity withdrawn by syndicates, though not always at the same terms and conditions, Lloyd’s Canada’s new president suggests. “When capacity is scarce in one or more syndicates, other syndicates likely view this as an opportunity,”…
The importance of employee experience in the post-pandemic world
August 13, 2021 by Jason ContantImproving employees’ experience is a top priority for almost all Canadian employers’ post-pandemic success, Willis Towers Watson (WTW) said in a study released Aug. 11. However, while employers recognize adapting to the new reality will take time and require a…
More room for industry consolidation and Intact wants to keep growing: CFO
August 11, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIntact is probably not finished acquiring more Canadian insurers even with its recent acquisition of RSA Canada. On June 1, Intact closed a three-way deal in which Intact and Tryg A/S acquired London-based RSA plc. As a result, Intact now…
Is it okay to use open banking data for underwriting?
August 10, 2021 by Greg MeckbachMutual insurers support a proposal to prohibit insurers in Canada from using banking data for underwriting, in an initial phase of open banking. However, one industry expert questions whether there is any harm in letting consenting consumers give their own…