Darren Collinson

Seconded to Kuwait as CEO of Kuwaiti national insurance company and reporting directly to the Board of 6 with full operational responsibility for the company in terms of technical underwriting, claims, sales, finance, IT and administration.

•Turned around loss-making operation (KD -594k) into a profit (KD +165k) in first full year, equating to QR 10 million positive variance year-on-year, a 203% net increase in insurance income and 185% increase in operating income year-on-year
•Increased efficiency and productivity by streamlining motor, medical and marketing functions and cancelling unprofitable business
•Raised the profile of KQIC through key marketing initiatives including new website, publicity, social media visibility strategy, fresh marketing material and cross-selling opportunities
•Increased premium income across all lines of business by developing KQIC profile through broker channels at home and abroad
•Obtained QIC parental guarantee and subsequent stand-alone S&P ‘A' rating
•Closely supervised underwriting and account management of key and strategic accounts
•Implemented new retail insurance platform ‘ANOUD' for the local operation, product training and system demonstrations
•Oversaw all operations to ensure compliance with Group Reinsurance, Systems and Procedures, as well as Financial Authorities guidelines
•Chaired ERM Committee for Kuwait; implemented all risk management compliance initiatives for KQIC

Reported directly to the Board and held full operational responsibility and control for the setting up a fully capitalised 50/50 JV Bancassurance Agency between the Commercial Bank of Qatar and Qatar Insurance Company from the ground up, providing innovative products and bespoke solutions for the bank's clients.

•Took Massoun through the incorporation phase to full licencing within 6 months
•Achieved profitability within the first fully fledged year of operation
•Devised 5-year business plan including product implementation and training plans
•Managed recruitment and training of staff for the Retail, SME and Corporate insurance businesses.
•Designed and implemented web-based tool to provide and deliver over-the-counter insurance products for banking customers
•Devised and launched Qatar's first ‘Luxury Motor' product aimed at High Net Worth clients
•Facilitated and led the set-up and training for the outbound telesales insurance team from Chennai, India to raise insurance product awareness, generate sales leads and fulfil sales.
•Built and maintained trusted working relationships with key internal stakeholders and corporate clients
•Conducted data mining exercises to understand insurance portfolio penetration, identify opportunities for growth and design targeted focused marketing campaigns which significantly increased revenue
•Devised and delivered insurance products through conventional and Islamic banking channels for Corporate and Retail bank customers
•Developed and promoted the Bancassurance proposition through the bank's intranet and websites to seek new channels and means to reach a wider market segment
•Bundled/wrapped simple targeted insurance riders with core banking products to deepen customer experience and relationship, enhance portfolio security and provide additional profitable revenue streams
•Designed marketing collateral, advertising campaigns and incentive schemes to promote products
•Key-note speaker at bank sponsored events on the insurance proposition

Appointed to stabilise and turnaround loss-making motor account and revive and develop weakening local broker relationships. Provided senior leadership to the branch team and managed underwriting and claims operations, new product development, creative designs and marketing campaigns.

•Stream-lined motor portfolio and non-renewal of loss-making business
•Cleared 6 month backlog on motor claims, including contentious and legal cases, within 2 months
•Grew the business by expanding the network of motor insurance agents selling QQIC motor products
•Devised and implemented the first female motor insurance product in Oman and gained regulatory approval through the Capital Markets Authority (CMA)
•Developed the broker and agent channel and increased general lines of business
•Increased customer penetration, market share and revenues by devising and implementing training and coaching culture to support the telesales operation.

Led day-to-day management, technical and administrative performance of the team and leveraged in-depth knowledge of treaty and facultative reinsurance classes to place business locally and internationally, maximising profitability and market share, in line with organisational goals and targets.

•Brought branch into profit for first time since its establishment in 2002
•Procured licencing approval to transact compulsory medical insurance from the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD)
•Secured approval to become licenced contractor for Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
•Identified and seized business opportunities through National Insurers on a facultative basis
•Handled complex energy and marine claims with reinsurers and loss adjustors
•Demonstrated thorough technical knowledge of the Property, Energy, Engineering, Liability, WC, Marine, Medical, Life Motor and Retail business classes

Led and managed the AXA Branch in Dammam to deliver against organisational targets and goals. Developed and managed key client relationships in terms of quotation preparation, renewal retention, claims control and remedial action.

Led and managed insurance teams throughout the Central & Eastern Provinces to deliver against organisational targets and goals. Developed and managed key client relationships in terms of quotation preparation, renewal retention, claims control and remedial action.

Underwriting bespoke individual travel insurance schemes for Churchill Insurance, Qantas and Air New Zealand sold through various channels (Call Centre & Travel Agents)

Third Party Administrator on travel insurance schemes brokered through Heath Lambert Fenchurch and underwritten by AIG Europe and HIH Australia