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This insurance leader fell into the insurance industry by accident, like many others. However, he confesses that, over time, he took to the industry, and its ups and downs kept him looking for more.
Rodolphe Guillard (pictured), chief client officer for Singapore at Aon, first worked in the retail sector, but, according to him, it was too mundane and routine, so he left. Despite being unfamiliar with insurance, he was later approached by a French insurance company for an international property underwriter role, sparking his insurance journey, which he shared with Insurance Business.
After four years, Guillard joined Aon to handle its Japanese book of business in France. The business dynamics and culture of Asia appealed to him, so he looked for opportunities on the continent.
“After eight years in France developing corporate risk management and global insurance programmes, I was given the opportunity, through the network I had developed within Aon, to relocate to Singapore in 2006 where I was tasked to handle a corporate team and portfolio of Asian clients,” he said.
Guillard believes that the ups and downs of his insurance career are what made him love the industry, along with a particularly memorable incident in Singapore around six years ago.
“In the early phases of my career, I recall one of my superiors describing to me the addictive nature of insurance, with its associated ups and downs, but inevitably, you always come back looking for more.
“However, one particular incident that left a deeply profound impact on me was an emotional call that I received from a client who had been moved to tears in gratitude after receiving the claims cheque that would enable him to continue his family business,” he said, adding that the incident gave his job a renewed meaning and purpose for him.
Outside of work, Guillard enjoys hobbies such as tennis, running, and practicing the saxophone. But above these, he revealed that he has a passion for acting.
“A few years ago, I had the opportunity to join an amateur theatre group,” he shared. “Performing on stage is incredibly exhilarating. Perhaps, in another life, I might have been a good actor!”
As chief client officer at Aon, Guillard says that his main role is to ensure that the company is able to deliver to its clients the best quality of service it can. As such, most of his time working is spent running training and coaching sessions for colleagues, equipping them with the skills needed to understand clients’ needs and match them with proper and innovative solutions the company offers.
“Our colleagues need to be empowered, trained, and have access to all the necessary specialty resources, tools, and data, so that they can provide the most appropriate and relevant solutions to our clients. These resources are available in Singapore as the regional headquarters for Asia, and also through our Aon Centre for Innovation and Analytics.”
With regard to the skills and attitudes needed to succeed in the insurance industry, Guillard has this to say: “I think the most important factor is to be genuine and honest with yourself. If you’re not curious, if you’re not prepared for change, if you’re not flexible, and if you’re not ready to go the extra mile for your clients, this job might not be suitable for you.”
