New boutique construction insurance brokerage launches in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG, MAN.,  Jan. 3, 2019/insPRESS/ – Apex Surety & Insurance Ltd. brings together five partners with over sixty years of experience in building risk management solutions for contractors.

Five leading insurance professionals today formally announced the establishment of a boutique insurance brokerage focused on providing cutting edge solutions for the construction and real estate markets in Manitoba and Western Canada.

The team brings together a diverse array of professional and risk management qualifications, including backgrounds in law, accounting, banking and construction allowing APEX to provide strategic and advisory services to clients far beyond what is typically offered by insurance brokerages.

APEX is Winnipeg’s first brokerage with a specific focus on surety and serving the construction industry. Christopher Wiens, APEX Partner, said: “As the construction industry trends to becoming more prone to disputes, the need for surety bonding and robust insurance policies becomes more acute – insurance and bonding play a direct role in ensuring both public and private projects are completed on time and on budget.”

Introducing APEX’s Management Team:

Scott Fraser, BA (Econ.), CAIB, CIP, brings over a decade of experience having held a Vice President title at a global insurance brokerage, providing strategic risk management advice to contractors, specialty subtrades and design consultant firms of all sizes. His keen understanding of insurance and indemnity requirements in construction contracts and the financial instruments needed to address inherent risks allow him to build bespoke risk management solutions for complex client needs.

Christopher Wiens, B. Comm. (Hons.), CAIB, specializes in constructing strategic solutions to help small, midmarket and large contractors to grow their businesses while navigating complex surety and insurance landscapes in Winnipeg and Toronto. With experience in two distinct markets, he offers a uniquely informed perspective on managing risk in the construction sector and the Canadian insurance market. Chris was named to the ‘Insurance Young Guns’ list by Insurance Business Canada in 2018 as one of the top performers in the industry under 35.

Sel Tse, CPA, CGA, is a designated accountant and a specialist in construction surety bonding. Sel has over 15 years of experience advocating for clients with revenues ranging from $500,000 to over $1bn as a Vice President at a global insurance brokerage. He uses his extensive technical knowledge and negotiating skills to build surety programs that allow clients the flexibility to grow and tactically expand their businesses.

Chris Wren, B.Comm. (Hons.), CAIB, CIP, has built a strong reputation over 15 years working in surety, broking, and account executive positions as a Vice President in the construction group of a global insurance brokerage. Chris brings to APEX both technical expertise and an extensive track record of reliable and consistent client service.

Scott Gilmour, LL.B., has a decade of experience in a variety of complimentary fields, having worked as a corporate lawyer at a global law firm, managed a division of a large building envelope sub-contractor and most recently created custom risk solutions for contractors and construction projects in his role as casualty underwriter at a Lloyd’s of London insurance syndicate. Scott was named to the ‘Insurance Young Guns’ list by Insurance Business Canada in 2018 as one of the top performers in the industry under 35.

Sel Tse, APEX Partner, said: “APEX sees a place for a local, customer focused boutique entrant with a fresh, technology driven approach in the construction and real estate space. We are a team-based brokerage that is looking to harness each of our unique professional and personal backgrounds to develop and deliver premier risk management solutions to our customers. We are locally built, with national expertise.”

For further information contact:
Scott Gilmour, Partner, APEX, 204-205-1198, scott.gilmour@apexsurety.ca
Christopher Wiens, Partner, APEX, 204-560-2512,christopher.wiens@apexsurety.ca

About Apex Surety & Insurance Ltd.
Founded in December of 2018, APEX is a Winnipeg-based boutique insurance and surety brokerage with an emphasis on providing risk management solutions and advisory services for construction clients. With a combined sixty years of experience in the insurance industry, APEX brings leading expertise to the Western Canadian market.