It’s been barely a year since it was announced that Matthew Hartigan (pictured) was taking the reins at Higos Insurance Services in June 2018 after his 13-year stint at Zurich. Insurance Business caught up with the seasoned executive, who entered the industry in 1992 as an underwriter at Royal and Sun Alliance.
Here the former Smart & Cook account executive lifts the lid on his ‘easy decision’ to come onboard Higos, a subsidiary of Global Risk Partners (GRP). Hartigan also shares his semi-hidden talent as well as his aspirations for both the South West-based broker and the sector.
Having worked both in underwriting and broking, what made you move to Higos when you were headhunted last year?
I had worked for Zurich in a variety of roles throughout the UK and prior to Zurich I had worked for both broker and insurer, so I’ve seen life on both sides of the fence.
The decision to join Higos was an easy one. The business had recently been acquired by GRP and the opportunity to come in and lead a fantastic business in the South West was too good to miss.
As managing director, what do you envision for the GRP broker?
Being part of the GRP family is really positive for Higos, and we have some very clear objectives.
Higos is growing rapidly and it is exciting to be part of a business that is firmly focused on growth and acquisition. We’ve acquired three businesses as part of GRP and we anticipate making a number of further acquisitions this year.
The strength and expertise that GRP brings helps us with placement, access to markets, and product development. Every acquisition that is made only serves to broaden that expertise further. This can only be good for our clients.
GRP has also integrated into the centre a number of time-consuming activities which we used to have to do ourselves, freeing the team to do what they do best, serving our clients and growing the business.
In your years of experience, what do you consider as the most significant developments in the world of insurance?
Technology developments have been huge. When I started my career, everything was done on paper, from internal memos to individually typed documents. There was very little email and no mobile phones.
Now we see robots settling claims, AI (artificial intelligence) and blockchain set to transform the underwriting process, mobile technology and apps driving a positive customer experience, as customer expectations have themselves changed thanks to technology.
The insurance industry has always been slow to adopt new technology, but the progress in the last 10 years has transformed the way in which the industry operates.
In terms of challenges, what would you like to see the industry overcome?
I would like to see the industry overcome the negative public perception of insurance. The work that the industry does to support individuals and businesses in their time of need often gets overlooked.
In addition, I think that there is still some way to go in order for the industry to stand out as a true profession. Commitment to professional qualifications for those dealing with customers should be the first step, in my view.
If you were to swap jobs with anyone, with whom or in what sector?
If I wasn’t working in insurance, I would love to be involved in live music, probably as a sound technician for a major touring band.
Name one thing your peers probably don’t know about you.
I have DJ’d at gigs in the UK, France, Spain, and Chicago.
