The Insurance Business Canada Awards are fast approaching, and alongside presentations to this year’s winners, the virtual event taking place on November 19 will also include exclusive panel sessions featuring industry leaders from Canada’s top insurance organizations.
On November 19, the panellists will be speaking on a variety of topics that are top of mind for the sector, but for right now, Insurance Business has a sneak preview of what will be up for discussion, straight from our panel sponsors.
IBC: What qualities make for an exemplary leader in insurance, particularly during challenging times like this year, and how do you hope to highlight this in the sponsored panel at the IB Awards virtual event?
Stuart Bruce, CEO of FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada: Exemplary leaders are those that are not afraid to take risks, understand and appreciate the value that diverse thinking brings to the table, and understand that challenges lead to opportunities. They are leaders that act with integrity in everything they do and are role models for those who will follow. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient certainly embodies these characteristics and I look forward to highlighting these points during our fireside chat.
IBC: What have been some of the key victories you’ve achieved as a female trailblazer in the insurance industry, and what do you think attendees will learn from yourself and the other leaders taking part in the sponsored panel at the IB Awards?
Nancy Raymond, president of Steamatic Canada: My greatest challenge at the beginning of my career in 2005 was creating relationships of trust with the various insurance company executives. In those years, the management positions in claims were mostly filled by men and although I grew up in the construction industry, I felt that I had to work hard to build my credibility.
It is thanks to my perseverance, my determination and, above all, the respect of my commitments that I was able to establish strong and solid alliances that allowed me to carve out a place for myself in this industry.
To this day, I am the only woman at the head of a disaster restoration banner in America and I make it my duty to represent both the place of women in the property and casualty insurance industry, and the restorers who are now officially recognized as an essential service. Our profession is noble and rewarding, and allows us to thrive in stimulating careers. I invite future workers – and people looking for new challenges – to learn about the wonderful career opportunities available in the insurance industry.
IBC: What are the key tools and strategies that set life and health insurance firms apart in today’s marketplace, and how will you highlight this during the sponsored panel at this year’s IB Awards?
Greg Pollock, president and CEO of Advocis: As life and health insurance firms adapt to changing markets and economic disruption, their ability to integrate new technology, talent, and innovations in their business models will go a long way – especially in the long run. Insurance companies have a unique opportunity to create new sources of revenue by rethinking their traditional roles and adjusting to society’s growing reliance on digital technologies.
In today’s environment, it is not only about reshaping customer expectations but also redefining boundaries across the insurance industry through those digital technologies. At Advocis’s sponsored panel at the 2020 Insurance Business Awards, we hope to share the successes and greatest lessons learned from five insurers who have set the bar high for customer experience in the life and health industry.
In this uncertain climate, organizations must recalibrate to overcome challenges like unengaged customer experience and cyber risk. We look forward to hearing from panellists on how their companies have persevered in these unprecedented times, and stayed prepared and up to date to meet the needs of their client.
IBC: What successes have you seen in the Canadian brokerage space this year amid COVID-19, and what do you hope attendees take away from the sponsored panel at the IB Awards virtual event?
Tyson Peel, vice president and P&C director at Burns & Wilcox Canada: I hope the panel attendees share how they have been able to be successful during the COVID-19 outbreak – what might be some of the lessons they have learned and how do they think they will stay successful as we continue to navigate this difficult time?
I have found that brokerages who have been able to adapt quickly and provide strong leadership to their brokerage teams during a hardening market have been more successful in obtaining business and maintaining renewals.
To learn more about the 2020 Insurance Business Canada Awards and to register for the free virtual event, click here.
