Ten days from now Amanda Savill (pictured) is taking the helm at PIC Insurance Brokers, and here she tells Insurance Business how she plans to lead the Kiwi brokerage through an important time of change for the business.
“All businesses are facing some formidable challenges in our current environment,” noted the incoming PIC Insurance Brokers chief executive, who is spending her final day today at Loan Market New Zealand where she held the same position.
“From my perspective, the biggest challenge I’ll be facing stepping into the CEO role at PIC will be navigating the impacts a tight labour market and supply chain disruptions are having on our customers, and how quickly we as a business can accomplish our goals.”
Savill said an important part of her role as CEO, which is effective on July 25, will be to foster an environment where the company can generate innovative solutions to the abovementioned challenges.
She told Insurance Business: “Top of my list of priorities will be getting to know the team and ensuring we have the right structure, systems, and processes in place to support our people in delivering great customer outcomes.
“PIC is a strong business with great potential, so it’s important the leadership team and I look at local and global innovation and establish a strategic plan and priorities spanning the next three to five years. Building engagement and excitement in our strategic plan among the PIC team will be crucial too.”
Savill’s arrival later this month marks a period of change for PIC Insurance Brokers, whose founder Mike Garner passed away in March. Garner, who served as managing director, set up the broking firm in 1980 prior to its incorporation in 1989.
According to the homegrown business, picking Savill for the top post was the result of an “extensive” executive search.
Read more: PIC Insurance Brokers appoints new CEO
“The board and I are delighted to have someone of Amanda’s calibre leading PIC Insurance Brokers at an exciting time of growth for the business and significant change in our industry,” stated chair Nigel Smith when the appointment was announced.
“Amanda’s vast experience in financial services and her outstanding leadership qualities make her the perfect choice for PIC; we are looking forward to welcoming her to the team and excited about the future of the business under her leadership.”
Savill’s credentials include nearly a decade spent at ANZ where she was general insurance head and national sales manager for OnePath Life, among others. The financial services industry stalwart is bringing 25 years of experience to PIC Insurance Brokers.
“In my 25 years in financial services,” she noted, “the industry has gone through a lot of change. Everything from technology to regulation in our industry looks quite different today to how it was at the beginning of my career. Financial services is a dynamic industry – innovation and change are constant, and our business environment is continually evolving.
“Over the course of my career we’ve also faced some large disruptions locally and globally – including in relatively recent times a global financial crisis and a pandemic. I’ve learned that you need to be able to adapt well to change, and help others do the same, to thrive in this industry.”
Speaking with Insurance Business, Savill shared how she’s learned that financial services is an industry that is ultimately built around people’s needs.
“Focus on your people and your customers, act responsibly and with integrity, and the business results will take care of themselves,” asserted the business leader.
“I’ve also learned the importance of learning and growing from experience. Regularly reflecting on what’s gone well, what didn’t go so well, and what you could do differently next time is important. If we don’t do this, we can miss some great insights and opportunities.”
She added: “PIC has a great team, a great foundation to build on, and great potential. We have big plans, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to lead the business through its next phase.”
A member of the Global Broker Network and Asia Australia Alliance, PIC Insurance Brokers is manned by around 80 people in branches in East Tamaki, North Shore, Pukekohe, Cambridge, Tauranga, and Timaru. Specialties span business, personal, marine, and life & health insurance.
