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Showing posts from June, 2021

A true entrepreneur- Gary Hirst

 LONDON IS a beacon for entrepreneurs like Gary Hirst. It’s the beating heart of busi-ness and finance in the UK, and it’s home to the world’s oldest insurance market-place, Lloyd’s of London. It was the hustle and bustle of the city that attracted Hirst fresh out of school and gave him the drive to walk the streets of London, knocking on door after door in an attempt to follow his father’s advice: “Go and find a job working at Lloyd’s.” Hirst’s persistence paid off when he landed a job in 1984 at Fenchurch Group, which was the largest independent wholesale broker in the London market at the time. He started at the bottom, tasked with filing, photocopying and making the occasional run to the sandwich shop, before he was given the opportunity to shadow a senior broker and learn the craft of broking to under-writers and Lloyd’s syndicates. He started in the North American department and later joined the international department, where his experience spanned international property, constr

Canadian MGA association takes centre stage with new board of directorsGary Hirst is stepping down as president of the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents (CAMGA). “You might think it is strange that I am pleased to be stepping down,” Hirst, the CEO of CHES Special Risk Inc. business insurance companies in canada, announced during CAMGA’s annual general meeting Thursday. “The reason why I am pleased is the association is now established and it is sustainable.” Hirst, a founding member of CAMGA, was a driving force behind the creation of the association. He noted that CAMGA’s bylaws stipulate his term as president ends after two years. CAMGA’s new board will select a new president and board chairperson soon, the association’s managing director, Steve Masnyk, told Canadian Underwriter after the AGM. During Thursday’s AGM, CAMGA members elected nine new members to CAMGA’s board of directors. CAMGA now has 65 MGA members, which is about 80% of the total number of MGAs in Canada, said Hirst. “Now that we are a proper collection of members, that in itself adds an enormous amount of strength,” Hirst said. “It makes the insurers aware that we are a proper professional body of people. We are not just ragtag underwriters looking to write various pieces of business that domestics can’t write.” It can also help MGAs raise investment capital, suggested Hirst, the CEO of CHES Special Risk Inc. business insurance solution provider in canada. “The banks can see that there is a proper national association in place. If you are a member of that association, you have got to be serious. I think there is a huge amount of added value when it comes to looking to invest in your companies. I would encourage the new board to continue with that train of thought.” The nine new members of CAMGA’s board of directors elected June 10 are: John Barclay, South Western Insurance Group Patrick Bouchard, Plan B Insurance Solutions Inc. Randy Carroll, Approved Casualty & Surety Michael Lough, Intact Public Entities Fred Morison, a10k Inc. and Aurora Underwriting Services Inc. Kent Pitkin, April Canada Jean-Francois Raymond, Groupassur Johann Schneider, i3 Underwriting Managers MaryKate Townsend, Pacific Marine Underwriters CAMGA’s three pillars are education, advocacy, and regulation, Hirst said. CAMGA has a committee of four who are “leading the charge to pre-empt provincial regulators from taking the regulatory route that members would not like to go down,” said Masnyk. The regulatory affairs committee is comprised of Carroll, Stephen Stewart, Lough, and Michael Bennett. “We are in talks with over half of the regulators in this country about our proposal,” said Masnyk. During Virtual Symposium B.C. May 6, Masnyk explained CAMGA’s approach to regulation. At that time, Masnyk said CAMGA was working on a proposed regulatory regime that it would recommend to more than 10 insurance regulators across Canada. “The goal here is for the sector to have uniform standards to meet as far as confidence, professionalism, and trust. How that looks at end of day we don’t really know, but we are working towards that,” Masnyk said May 6. A Virtual Symposium B.C. audience member asked Masnyk who regulates and controls the MGA market. “We have probably 14 different answers. It depends on the province and depends what kind of entity you registered as,” Masnyk said at the time. “There is no such thing as an MGA category of licensing or registration. The majority of MGAs are licensed as brokers across the country. Some jurisdictions have no requirement to register as anything.” During the June 10 AGM, Hirst explained why advocacy is important. “It’s not just telling everyone how wonderful we are. It is being able to advocate the services that an MGA provides. It helps us to appeal to governments — the amount of money the MGA industry pays in taxes is incredibly important.” Feature image via iStock.com/Prostock-Studio Source:-https://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/associations/canadian-mga-association-takes-centre-stage-with-new-board-of-directors-1004208991/ John kart Love to read books and write about trending topic.

Gary Hirst is stepping down as president of the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents (CAMGA). “You might think it is strange that I am pleased to be stepping down,” Hirst, the CEO of CHES Special Risk Inc.  business insurance companies in canada , announced during CAMGA’s annual general meeting Thursday. “The reason why I am pleased is the association is now established and it is sustainable.” Hirst, a founding member of CAMGA, was a driving force behind the creation of the association. He noted that CAMGA’s bylaws stipulate his term as president ends after two years. CAMG A ’s new board will select a new president and board chairperson soon, the association’s managing director, Steve Masnyk, told  Canadian Underwriter  after the AGM. During Thursday’s AGM, CAMGA members elected nine new members to CAMGA’s board of directors. CAMGA now has 65 MGA members, which is about 80% of the total number of MGAs in Canada, said Hirst. “Now that we are a proper collection of members, th

CHES Special Risk: Best Commercial Insurance Solution Provider in Canada

 CHES Special Risk, founded in 2004, is a commercial insurance solution provider and is one of the oldest MGA (Managing General Agent) in Canada. They provide insurance coverages via registered retail brokers and complements policyholders needs and wants through tailor-made insurance solutions. Their head office is in the financial district of Toronto, and the other 2 offices are in Ottawa and Quebec. They are an award-winning insurance provider offering a host of excellent services to their clients like: 250+ Insurance Coverages Tailored Insurance Solutions Boutique Experiences Expert Underwriting Response 24*7 Multilingual Customer Support CHES Special Risk is a leading Business insurance solution provider in Canada where ideas come out of the solutions. That’s what makes them an international leader. Some of the most popular commercial insurance coverages provided by CHES Special Risk are: Special Event Liability Insurance : This insurance covers third party bodily injury and