Whatever your passion, the insurance industry offers the opportunity to become a specialist and to build a fruitful career in that area. For Lee Mathewson (pictured), VP of international insurance products for Hagerty who recently moved to the UK to take up the position of head of Hagerty UK, working for this classic car insurer was always a dream and when the opportunity came to join the business, he jumped at the chance.
As VP of international insurance products, Mathewson’s role involves a broad variety of tasks including responsibility for personal and commercial insurance product development, pricing, and product delivery for the insurer’s enthusiast vehicle programmes in Canada, the UK, and the EU. In addition, he is responsible for Hagerty’s business intelligence teams and Hagerty Reinsurance Limited where he serves as the company’s appointed actuary.
Mathewson, who recently became a father, has just finished moving his family from the USA to take up his new role and noted that, while life is certainly non-stop right now, it is a hugely exciting time and he is relishing the challenge.
“Hagerty is an exciting and dynamic company,” he said. “In the US and Canada, we have made amazing progress and seen tremendous growth by leveraging our powerful automotive brand, digital tools, and strategic partnerships to build a diverse community of enthusiasts working together to save driving… Our brand and authenticity have been our key differentiator and have allowed us to see tremendous growth in our insurance business.”
Hagerty UK has always been an integral part of the Hagerty family, he said, but it has had a level of separation due to geography and time zones that has limited its ability to engage with clients and build a community similar to that which exists in North America. Mathewson is looking forward to having the opportunity to bring the power and reach of the Hagerty brand to the UK.
“This will allow us to offer unique and innovative events and experiences, author and distribute industry-leading media and content, and bring the Hagerty Drivers Club to UK collectors and enthusiasts,” he said. “This will further differentiate our offering and allow us to grow our network of drivers and deepen our relationships with our clients.
“Selfishly, I’ve always had a secret obsession with the MGB – something which my friends in the States frequently like to tease me over. I’m really looking forward to getting out with my wife and son and enjoying some drives through the beautiful English countryside.”
To bring the best of the Hagerty brand to the UK, Mathewson will be driving several key strategic objectives including creating automotive events and experiences, both digitally and in-person, which will allow the business to deepen its client relationships, and growing Hagerty UK’s digital tools to increase its online presence and expand its brand recognition and reach. He will also seek to expand the product base of the business to include newer cars and younger drivers, as well as launching Hagerty Drivers Club for UK clients.
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“While I am sure there are many cultural differences [between the US and the UK], we all share the same passion, and the reason we become a part of car culture is the same the world over. We love cars,” he said. “Hagerty is now one of the largest producers of enthusiast vehicle content in the world via our print, digital, film and social media channels.
“I think it is fair to say that car culture in the US offers more variety than it does in the UK, their Cars & Coffee meets are well established across the country, their auctions are larger and many are televised and the car shows are wide and varied ranging from custom car meets to the heights of Pebble Beach. That said, the UK offers a vast array of car-related activities, clubs and shows and has equally passionate owners making them a success every weekend…when movement restrictions allow, of course.”
Hagerty USA plays an integral part in many US car events, from club level to the finest Concours, he said, and it is his ambition to replicate that in the UK over time as well as improving Hagerty’s own calendar, which includes successful UK-centric events such as the Festival of the Unexceptional. All policies are designed to suit the needs of the country in which the client is based, but there is a sustained emphasis on providing the highest level of customer care no matter their location.
“I am coming into an excellent position with our UK team,” Mathewson said. “Our team is wonderfully warm and personable and offers exceptional client service. Car guys and gals like talking to car guys and gals, and I am very fortunate to work at a company that has built such a strong reputation in that regard. I think the key things I can bring to the UK team are better connections to the automotive and insurance expertise we’ve built in the States and first-hand experience of how to leverage our brand and digital tools to grow our community.”
Looking to how the UK varies culturally from the US, Mathewson noted that at first glance what has struck him is how much more connected the insurance and business community is in the UK. Within the States, the firewalls between, and often within, companies are strong which is amplified by the actual physical distance between them. In the UK, the business community is much more connected with each other both socially and physically.
“I love the UK - especially its history and culture, and I am excited to see the sights, eat the food and enjoy everything the country has to offer,” he said. “There are a few things I’ll have to get used to, like driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, and I believe the English sense of humour can be quite dry, too! But it is a great opportunity for me both professionally and, for me and my family personally.”
