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Insurance Business Review: Specials Magazine
Hiring talent should never be about ticking off boxes on a resume. A candidate might appear perfect on paper, but the real measure of a good prospect is whether that person can reinforce team culture and adapt to the business through regulatory changes, economic fluctuations and evolving customer expectations. Veres Career Consulting has carved out its distinct space by helping insurance and financial services companies make hiring decisions that hold up over time. These sectors demand more than technical know-how. They require professionals who not only understand risk and regulation but can navigate change and align with a firm’s strategic direction. Instead of prioritizing speed or pushing candidates through high-volume pipelines, Veres focuses on sustainable hiring. It matches candidates who are capable of delivering results and are more likely to stay and grow with the organization. This approach minimizes the operational disruption and financial impact of rehiring, retraining and team destabilization. Veres’s effectiveness stems from its hybrid model, which combines industry fluency with surgical sourcing. The team invests in market intelligence, constantly mapping the landscape to find candidates who are the best fit but not actively job-hunting. Its outreach campaigns are customized to resonate with professionals in insurance and financial services, reflecting the values and career drivers unique to those spaces. It results in a pipeline that’s both relevant and resilient. A strong pipeline is just the beginning. What sets Veres apart is the discipline applied once candidates enter that pipeline. “Every hire shifts the momentum of a team,” says Krisztina Veres, president and CEO. “So, before we ever present a candidate, we’ve already evaluated how they’re likely to respond to pressure, if they’ll foster innovation and how they’ll contribute over time.” Companies working with Veres report onboarding cycles that are 30 percent faster and turnover that’s reduced by half. That means fewer disruptions, greater team stability and more time for leadership to focus on what matters most—growth, strategy and execution. Filling a Growing Talent Gap An aging workforce creates a need for companies to find ways to attract new talent while maintaining the stability and knowledge experienced workers provide. Veres helps companies prepare for this shift by working closely with hiring managers to understand each organization’s culture. Decoding the company’s team structure and long-term goals helps in recommending candidates who are a better cultural and strategic fit. The team also works inclusively with professionals at different career stages, from immigrants seeking their first job in Canada to seasoned professionals looking for their final career move before retirement. Seeking candidates that others might overlook, the firm expands the talent pool for its clients while opening doors for individuals who can make a meaningful contribution. ... Read More
Insurance Agency
In the Canadian Prairies, where tight-knit communities form the backbone of the economy, the importance of local businesses cannot be overstated. Often passed down through generations, these businesses serve as the lifeblood of small towns and rural areas. Yet, as owners approach retirement, the question of succession looms large. Who will take up the mantle and ensure vital services remain rooted in the communities that need them most? Prairie Centre Insurance solves this dilemma by helping residential and farmland owners, along with local commercial businesses, with an exit strategy. This ensures their operations remain functional while preserving the honor, legacy and community presence that the owner worked so hard to build. The steppingstone for this process starts with Prairie Centre Insurance thoroughly reviewing a client’s business. This involves assessing various aspects such as financial performance, operational efficiency and organizational structure. Based on the review, Prairie Centre Insurance collaborates with the business owner to develop a transition plan. This plan outlines the steps to facilitate the transfer of ownership or management responsibilities, while ensuring a smooth transition for all parties involved. Prairie Centre Insurance has had notable success facilitating the purchase of businesses, taking some of the management workload off the owner in terms of administration, accounting, or operations. ... Read More
Insurance Risk Management Service
Specialist insurers are pivotal to addressing the unique and complex risks businesses encounter. They hold expert knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the industry segments to offer customized services that generalist insurers may find challenging to deliver. Sovereign Insurance is a distinguished Canadian-based specialist insurer renowned for its expertise in offering tailored risk solutions and insurance products for construction, warehousing, wholesale, transportation, energy, utilities, resources and manufacturing businesses. By leveraging its extensive knowledge in underwriting, claims and risk engineering, it provides clients with comprehensive protection. In addition to its commercial solution offerings, Sovereign offers a range of specialty product lines, including management liability, professional liability and technology, cyber, and equipment breakdown solutions. “Our expert underwriters and broker partners closely collaborate to establish enduring relationships,” says Dave McKeen, vice president of commercial solutions, underwriting and risk engineering at Sovereign Insurance. “We are not a company that interacts with its brokers and clients through call centers or email queues. We’re your partner in resilience.” This approach enables Sovereign to understand client’s unique challenges and deliver solutions that address those pain points. ... Read More
CXO INSIGHTS
Creating a High-Performance Health Plan
Vince Guerra, Area Vice President, Human Capital, Employee Benefits, Gallagher
Today's Modern Mutual
Donna Carbell, EVP, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer, Equitable
Decoding Skills Taxonomy, Ontologies, and Competencies in L&D
Heather Torres, Director of Learning and Development, Brown & Brown
Managing Worker Performance in a Nursing Home Setting
Carrie Cherveny, Chief Compliance Officer and SVP Strategic Solutions, HUB International
The ABC's of HR Influence During Times of Crisis
Damon J. Porter, Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer, Grange Insurance
IN FOCUS
Navigating the Insurance Industry's Demographic Crossroads
The insurance industry is facing a demographic shift with the retirement of Baby Boomers, necessitating active knowledge transfer and adaptation to attract Gen Z talent through modernized recruitment and succession planning strategies.
The Role of Employer Branding in Insurance Recruitment Success in Canada
The Canadian insurance industry must enhance its employer brand to attract specialized talent, focusing on authentic storytelling, inclusivity, and candidate experience amidst workforce challenges and competition.
EDITORIAL
The Human Edge in Financial Evolution
The financial services landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, shaped by technological innovation, shifting customer expectations and increasingly complex regulatory requirements. In Canada, this transformation is particularly pronounced, where a mature financial ecosystem is confronting growing pressure to adopt digital solutions, strengthen risk management, and maintain compliance in a dynamic market. Success in this environment is no longer defined solely by products or services; it increasingly depends on the ability to attract professionals who combine technical expertise with strategic thinking, adaptability, and a deep understanding of emerging trends.
Leveraging specialized networks and sector knowledge, companies are now identifying individuals who excel in core functions and anticipate change, drive innovation, and influence strategic direction. These professionals become catalysts for growth, enabling organizations to respond to market shifts with agility and foresight. By integrating the right talent into their operations, Canadian firms are strengthening their capacity to innovate, maintain a competitive edge, and generate long-term value in an environment defined by constant evolution.
This edition of Insurance Business Review Canada examines how the country’s financial services sector is evolving amid technological change and complex regulatory demands. Firms that strategically align their workforce with emerging priorities are better positioned to innovate, respond to market shifts, and maintain a competitive edge.
It features Liz Yovich, Director of Global Engagement and Employee Benefits at Worldwide Broker Network (WBN), and Lauren Crabbe, Director of Learning and Development at Novacord, who share insights on developing talent, enhancing workforce capabilities, and navigating the financial services landscape.
We hope this edition offers valuable insights into workforce strategies, talent development, and innovation within Canada’s financial services sector, helping organizations enhance resilience, and provide long-term value in a sector defined by constant change.
