We have great news!
It occurred to us that life stories from insurance executives would be an interesting and inspiring addition to our podcasts.
We shall publish them from time to time on Fridays. The first one is from Xavier de Rigaud, President of Crewsecure, whom we have known for many years in his various activities. We are positive that you will enjoy his life story.
Here´s the story:
When I was studying at business school, I was determined to work in commodity trading.
But then, in 1994, during my first few years in the profession, life led me to turn down a job as a commodity trader with a large European agri-food company, even though it had been my dream since I was a student! Instead, I chose to move abroad to the Middle East to work for a joint venture between AXA Insurance and a large brokerage firm that has since become the Diot-SIACI group.
It was a chance decision, but it proved to be a decisive one. I knew nothing about insurance. I was recruited because I spoke English well and had an entrepreneurial spirit and a flair for business development, which were essential criteria for my employer in sending me to Saudi Arabia, a region where insurance was still in its infancy.
So, I underwent intensive, accelerated in-house training, but I can clearly say that I learned most about insurance “on the job.” I discovered a vast and complex world.
The insurance technique itself requires a great deal of expertise, but there are many different professions in this field: actuaries, lawyers, financiers, salespeople, HR, communications, administrative staff, and of course managers at all levels.
In addition, these professions can be practiced in general or specialized markets, in a local, national, or international context. So, there is work for everyone in insurance, everywhere!
For my part, I never claimed to be an insurance expert. The guiding principle of my professional life has always been business development and entrepreneurship. After returning from three years abroad, I worked for a while as an executive assistant at a major French general insurance broker before buying a real estate transaction company specializing in the service sector.
When I sold it, I returned to salaried employment, briefly at Allianz Assistance, before being recruited by International SOS, one of the world leaders in medical assistance and security and on-site medical services, headquartered in Singapore.
Assistance is a sector related to insurance and obviously very internationally oriented. So, I was naturally returning to a familiar world. For 12 years, I had an exciting life combining extensive business travel throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia to work with companies of all sizes and in all fields of activity. I also combined intrapreneurship, business development, and management, working with high-quality colleagues and contacts of all nationalities.
When I left that company in 2012, I had the opportunity to become a partner in a highly specialized insurance brokerage firm, which I then bought out completely in 2015. This company, CREW SECURE, is based in Switzerland and France and develops, implements, and manages health, welfare, and retirement insurance solutions for shipowners, ship managers, and crew managers for their international seafarers.
There are only four or five brokers specializing in this niche activity worldwide. Knowledge of personal insurance, labor legislation, and the constraints associated with the international mobility of employees is essential. We are a modest player, but our expertise and interpersonal skills have enabled us to gain the trust of large companies that are very interested in our work. This activity also allows me to come full circle by once again combining entrepreneurship, insurance, and advising international clients with the management of a small, highly competent and dedicated team.
While the world of insurance has allowed me to pursue this very interesting career path, it should also be noted that insurance is one of the most dynamic and resilient economic sectors there is. And while it has evolved significantly over the past 20 years, it is clear that artificial intelligence will revolutionize it in the coming years.
Yes, it's obvious that insurance and insurance professionals have a bright future!
This was Xavier de Rigaud’s fascinating life story. Maybe, you too would have an interesting story to tell our listeners and readers.
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