Issue 8 2022 Most Influential CEO, 2022 – London The football world is an exceptional place to advertise a business – it attracts millions of people, brings in billions in revenue, and encourages collaboration. Football Media is at the helm of this industry. Henceforth, its innovative founder, Dean Akinjobi, has earned the title of Most Influential CEO, 2022 - London, the United Kingdom Mission Underwriting Managers, LLC: Entrepreneurial Spirit Dean Akinjobi
Welcome to the August issue of CEO Monthly. As always, CEO Monthly is dedicated to providing the latest news and features across the business world to our readership. In this issue we would like to share a wide variety of individuals who are setting the scene for generations to come. Being a leader is what some of us dream of but dare not try. Maybe some of us find it daunting whilst others find it comes completely naturally to them. We are excited to show you a collection of CEOs that keep their fingers on the pulse – for the greater good of their business, employees, clients, customers, and the rest of the world. These CEOs inspire us to follow what will make us feel fulfilled, challenged, and involved in something greater than ourselves. They not only change the business landscape, but they also alter our perception of human ability as a whole. This issue is all about the CEOs that are exceeding all expectations in the height of our summer. We are proud to present their successes and we want to offer insight, and information, with regards to their prestigious awards and high-quality leadership skills. We are especially excited to introduce Dean Akinjobi who fearlessly leads Football Media with style and dedication. As Most Influential CEO, 2022 – London, the United Kingdom, Dean influences the digital advertising and sponsorship endeavours that Football Media strives to expand on. Join us to find out more. We hope you find this issue informative, motivating, and interesting. We look forward to welcoming you back next month. Sofi Bajor, Editor Website: www.ceo-review.com AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
4. News 6. Football Media: Smashing Advertising Goals Through Football 7. Battolyser Systems: Chemical Manufacturing CEO of the Year (Europe): Mattijs Slee 8. Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation: Woman For The Moment! 9. CoWorking & Incubator: Best SME & StartUp Support Company Founder (Eastern Italy): Giorgio Guidi 10. LenderHomePage: How The Cloud Can Help Your Mortgage 12. Mission Underwriting Managers, LLC: Entrepreneurial Spirit 14. Nacre Group: Leading The Way Forward 15. Winners’ Listings Contents
NEWS Integral Ad Science Names Thomas V. Joseph as Chief Technology Officer
Managers seeking to reduce problems caused by employees using too much on-the-job leisure time should offer bonuses that provide more offthe-job leisure time, finds new research from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Employees spend a considerable amount of their working time enjoying on-the-job leisure, the most significant being private use of the internet, which can cost companies billions of dollars due to reduction in effective working time. Professor Timo Vogelsang, Assistant Professor from Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, investigated the impact of cash or free time bonuses on work performance and leisure time. Participants were asked to complete a task on a computer with internet access which involved moving sliders to randomly predetermined positions. At the beginning of each task, participants could click the time-out button to access the internet. Subjects were free to choose how to spend their time on the internet and could minimise the internet browser at any time to continue working. In the main experiment, participants were involved in two working periods lasting 30 minutes each. This study used three groups: one group received €4 for each period, the cash bonus group received €4 for each period and an extra €6 for period one, and the free time bonus group received €4 for each period with an extra 25 minutes to use the internet in period one. Those given an extra 25 minutes leisure time as a bonus exhibited 60% less on-the-job internet consumption compared to those given extra cash. Also, those given extra leisure time showed increased work performance in terms of completed tasks. This suggests that a cash bonus doesn’t affect employees’ on-the-job leisure time nor their work performance. However, gifting employees more off-the-job leisure time does reduce on-the-job leisure time of employees and increases their performance while working. Prof Vogelsang says,“This study shows that ‘time is not money’ when using a gift of more off-the-job leisure as a form of management control. Compared to money, time has certain favourable characteristics and affects employees’ behaviour at work. Leisure time is a noteworthy alternative to cash bonuses and the various forms of noncash bonuses currently in use.” Off-the-job leisure as a bonus can be implemented by informing employees in advance that they can leave early on certain days or that they will be gifted extra holiday days. This suggests that employees may appreciate a better work-life balance over salary increases. These findings were first published in the journal European Accounting Review. Give employees more free time to increase work performance, suggests new research Former SiriusXM and Pandora executive will lead the technology organization, ensuring continued digital media quality leadership and innovation. Integral Ad Science, a global leader in digital media quality, today announced that it has named Thomas V. Joseph as Chief Technology Officer (CTO), effective August 8, 2022. As CTO, Joseph will lead the engineering team to develop and scale new offerings while continuing to evolve existing products. Joseph will report directly to Lisa Utzschneider, CEO of IAS, and will execute on the long-term product vision as part of the senior leadership team. “Thomas is an accomplished leader of high performing engineering teams. He is data driven, innovative, and experienced in dynamic technology environments,” said Utzschneider. “His knowledge of media, advertising, and emerging platforms aligns with IAS’s mission to be the global benchmark for trust and transparency in digital media quality. We are excited to welcome Thomas to the team.” Joseph brings over two decades of tech-industry leadership experience to the CTO role. Before joining IAS, he served as SVP Engineering at SiriusXM and Pandora, where he was responsible for the full engineering stack and architecture. Prior to SiriusXM and Pandora, Joseph spent several years at Microsoft, spanning a broad spectrum of technologies, starting in gaming and media, and culminating with the launch of Microsoft Office on iOS and Android. “Digital media is at a crossroads with marketers and publishers adopting new strategies powered by a growing expanse of data. The tools that support the industry today must also be ableanticipatewhat comes next in this fast-changing industry,” said Joseph. “IAS’s mission of using technology to be the global leader in digital media quality and outcomes for the world’s leading brands, publishers, and platforms resonates with my passion for leading world-class engineering organizations and developing future-ready products at scale.” Joseph’s appointment to the CTO role follows the recent announcement of Yannis Dosios as Chief Commercial Officer, furthering IAS’s drive for continued industry leadership and advancement. About Integral Ad Science Integral Ad Science (IAS) is a global leader in digital media quality. IAS makes every impression count, ensuring that ads are viewable by real people in safe and suitable environments, activating contextual targeting, and driving supply path optimization. Our mission is to be the global benchmark for trust and transparency in digital media quality for the world’s leading brands, publishers, and platforms. We do this through data-driven technologies with actionable real-time signals and insight. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in New York, IAS works with thousands of top advertisers and premium publishers worldwide. For more information, visit integralads.com
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 8 2022 6 Smashing Advertising Goals Through Football The football world is an exceptional place to advertise a business – it attracts millions of people, brings in billions in revenue, and encourages collaboration. Football Media is at the helm of this industry. Henceforth, its innovative founder, Dean Akinjobi, has earned the title of Most Influential CEO, 2022 - London, the United Kingdom ccording to Statista, the Premier League drew in an aggregate attendance of approximately 15 million people during the 2021/22 season. These staggering numbers represent the immense popularity of football and, in turn, its power to unite people of all backgrounds. Of course, these astonishing numbers also represent a potential market for your products. In order to reach this audience, it’s imperative to receive expert advice – and this is where Football Media can help. Football Media is a leading digital advertising and sponsorship agency, with a platform of football sites and social media channels that reach over 41 million global monthly users. Simply, working with Football Media aligns your brand with the best of the best, including its own exceptional clients. Indeed, its portfolio features Adidas, TAG, McDonalds, Eurosport, ZO Skin Health, Sportsbet.io, Primark, and Hollywoodbets. At the helm of the business is Dean Akinjobi, who serves as both the founder and CEO. Through his expertise, Football Media has grown into an industry dominating company, and has received opportunities that many can only dream of. Moreover, it consistently attracts a diverse clientele, with many spawning from the travel, retail, sports, entertainment, technology, i-gaming, crypto, finance, FMCG, Skincare and women’s and men’s health sectors. Football Media helps to empower such businesses to achieve their goals by engaging with target audiences through digital advertising, football club sponsorships, brand ambassador partnerships and sponsorship activations. Of course, many of these industries and the market in which Football Media operates are surrounded by a strong, fast-paced, digital presence, and therefore it is imperative for Football Media to remain on the cutting edge of all industry advancements. Dean Akinjobi has led the company through the digital evolution, and as a result, provides advanced advertising services. For example, Football Media must possess a strong understanding of the entire digital brand advertising and sponsorship landscape and how it can impact the reach of a campaign – digital is never not stagnant, therefore, the business prides itself on remaining ahead of the curve. Dean, who boasts a wealth of experience within the industry, knows how to best amplify a brand’s presence both digitally and within the wider market. Described by many as an inspiration, Dean’s drive and passion for business is evident within his work. He has, quite simply, been at the forefront of the company’s growth since its founding in 2010. Moreover, Dean’s demeanour is friendly – he’s approachable – and it is this that differentiates him from other business leaders. He treats everyone as equals, striving to empower and encourage them through his flexible and hands-on approach to leadership. Consequently, Football Media involves itself greatly within women’s football. The Women’s Euro 2022 has taken place in the UK, and Football Media delivered an abundance of client plans in for this event. Football Media predicts that women’s football – both on amateur and professional levels – will significantly grow throughout the upcoming years. This, paired with the 2022 World Cup, means that Football Media will be working on several exciting projects throughout the end of the year and beyond. For Dean, 2022 has been a year of evolution. He endeavours to continue building upon his and Football Media’s success, with much of these developments taking place in new and emerging markets, such as the Metaverse and women’s football. Contact: Dean Akinjobi Company: Football Media Web Address: www.footballmedia.co Apr22415 A
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 8 2022 7 Mar22259 Chemical Manufacturing CEO of the Year (Europe): Mattijs Slee Battolyser Systems is the developer of a unique technological solution that helps society implement an affordable energy transition, which is one of the greatest challenges facing our generation. The Battolyser is both a battery that never fills up and an electrolyser that is as flexible as a battery. It helps integrated energy companies and industrial companies to maximise the energy generated by wind and solar by producing green hydrogen when there is an abundance of renewable power. Battolyser Systems’ CEO, Mattijs Slee has worked in the energy industry for almost two decades and now we shine a light on him as he sees extraordinary success within the Global CEO Excellence Awards 2022. Mattijs Slee has always been motivated by the realisation that an energy transition is needed which is both affordable and practical and feeds sectors such as household and office heating and lighting, industrial applications, and transport. Battolyser Systems will play a major role in this transition, with Mattijs being delighted to have the opportunity to take charge of the company as CEO. Mattijs’ background makes him perfect for the role of CEO at Battolyser Systems. He spent 15 years working in various roles at Shell and holds an MSc and an MBA, which means he understands both the scientific and the business challenges and opportunities as the company continues to grow at a rapid pace. Mattijs says, “I am determined to devote my professional career to make clean energy available to everyone, all the time.” The Battolyser Systems team naturally started in the industry with the low hanging fruit, developing renewable power to replace the fossilderived power in our grids. Now, the more difficult part of the energy transition starts, namely the need to store surplus renewable power so it can be used when there is no sun or wind. In addition, decarbonising is needed of the sectors that cannot easily be electrified, such as chemicals and steel making. With net zero being the goal, solar and wind power will be the primary sources of energy – However, this will mean a lot of fluctuation in the supply of energy due to weather patterns that do not match with demand. A Battolyser can help balance the demand with supply, and thus bring the world quicker and more affordably towards net zero. This will be done by the Battolyser Systems team working with customers to create a Battolyser and augment its performance in various power markets. Mattijs explains, “We take a full customer perspective and optimise a Battolyser over a full energy system in which trading value, system efficiency and operational expenditures are taken into account. This way we can show the value of a Battolyser within its value chain.” In doing so, the team is constantly learning by solving new challenges, building knowledge, and strengthening team spirits. Because deeptech innovation is hard and it never goes exactly to plan. Mattijs tells us, “I often use an analogy of ‘trying to find your way through the jungle with a machete’. We know where we want to end up, but we do not always know in advance how to get there, so we have to deal with obstacles along the way.” In the end, this is hugely beneficial both for the company and its customers. Indeed, none of the company’s work could be a reality without its team. Mattijs truly believes in investing in a selection of people who have the right skills and who are truly motivated to make a difference in the fight against climate change. Such people have an internal drive which the company strives to empower as much as possible. Mattijs says, “We have created a company culture where procedures and bureaucratic approvals processes are kept to a minimum. We trust our people to make the right decisions and I have found that they rise to the challenge. This enables enormous speed and drives accountability.” Ultimately, Mattijs doesn’t want to do anything other than make Battolyser Systems as impactful as he can. He says, “It is an honour to lead this company and it is hugely fulfilling for me personally, not least because I get to work closely with some of the smartest people I have ever come across.” He also sees energy transition as a great opportunity for society to reset its practices and create new technologies and business models that not only reduce the strain on the environment, but can also improve societal wealth and sustainable prosperity. Looking at it this way may help reduce resistance to change and fuel appetite to invest. Next, Battolyser Systems needs to become a large company and support its customers to make green hydrogen affordable in order to help the world get to net zero quicker and minimise climate change. Green hydrogen is essential in a net zero world and its potential is huge. With its unique technology, Battolyser Systems expects to become a leading technology player in this vast market. Company: Battolyser Systems Contact: Mattijs Slee Web Address: www.battolysersystems.com y 540
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 8 2022 8 Apr22415 Owned by the government, and tasked with the important role of ensuring Sarawak’s digital success, there’s a lot of pressure on the team at Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation to get things right. Their actions will define the way in which digital technology is seen in the region for generations. Leading the way forward requires a depth of As the digital economy becomes more and more important, the team at Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation have been entrusted with the role of implementing Sarawak’s Digital Economy initiatives. In CEO Monthly’s C-Suite Awards 2022, the firm’s COO was awarded the prestigious title of Best Digital Economy Project COO (Malaysia): Malseni Jamal. We thought it was the right time to look a little more closely at her career to see how she has reached such tremendous heights of success. experience both in terms of technology and in terms of management. Malseni Jamal meets both of these requirements with ease. When looking at Malseni’s career, it’s easy to see how she has built up a truly exceptional reputation within the industry. Her approach explores what it means to make a difference to the community as a whole, using her enormous expertise in litigation, corporate legal, regulatory, corporate secretarial, strategy and the telecommunication industry. Having graduated from the University of Malaya, where she earned her Bachelor’s of Law, she worked through a number of roles before working at Messrs. Bong & Co. as a Legal Assistant. Here, she was responsible for handing civil and criminal litigation in a variety of different sectors including debt recovery, bankruptcy and minor drugs offences to name but a few. Malseni soon worked her way up to Partner in her own law firm, Jamal & Lau where she was appointed by the Court as pro bono defence counsel for accused charged with murder under the Penal Code. From here, she moved to work at SACOFA Sdn Bhd, where she worked her way through the ranks from Company Secretary and Senior Manager, Legal & Regulator through the position of Head of Strategy. For fifteen years, Malseni was responsible for defining the direction of the firm, meeting with partners from Brunei, Singapore and Indonesia as well as liaising with officials from the Ministry of Communications and Informatics, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Politics, Legal & Security. This awareness of how the public and private sector interact put Malseni in the ideal position to take on the role of COO at Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation. Having started in the role in September 2020, she has more thanmade it her own. Her ability to explore the legal challenges in the area, pooling the resources of a comprehensive network from across the Asean Communities have been invaluable to her success. Now reaching the end of her second year in the post, it’s little wonder she is already looking to what the future will bring. As the world shifts to accept new technologies, it needs people like Malseni to ensure that people are prepared for what is to come. Her talent for seeing the legal difficulties that might arise and her passion for helping people at all times, mean she is the ideal person for the job. We cannot wait to see what she does next. Company: Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation Name: Malseni Jamal Email: [email protected] Woman For The Moment!
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 8 2022 9 Best SME & Start-Up Support Company Founder (Eastern Italy): Giorgio Guidi Sometimes new businesses require external support, be it for idea development, business management, or financial management. After all, owning a business is a learning experience, and there’s no shame in needing a community to operate within. This is what makes The Hive CoWorking & Incubator so successful – it provides a place for businesses, owners, and ideas to thrive. The Hive CoWorking & Incubator is a place where ideas blossom. Certified by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development since 2014, the unique platform focuses upon helping start-ups, professionals and SMEs to get off the ground, revitalise, grow sustainably, and use their passion to help them accomplish their business goals. Consequently, it offers a plethora of services, with many falling under the topics of management, idea conception, and implementation. In essence, The Hive serves as an incubator for fledgling businesses, providing a space for them to take flight. It provides a diverse community for businesses that is united by a shared passion. Moreover, working in a stimulating atmosphere with individuals from a plethora of backgrounds who share the same ideals is what it means to join The Hive. The Hive encourages the development of a new entrepreneurial culture based on ethics and consideration for others and, of course, the environment. Here, innovation and tradition combine to form fresh business models. At the helm is the Founder and CEO, Giorgio Guidi, a graduate of Italy’s Università Politecnica delle Marche. His background is filled with impressive achievements, such as the creation of businesses, which gives him the inside knowledge that truly makes The Hive a vibrant place to be. Since 2013, Giorgio has been leading the company towards success, and along the way he and his services have aided thousands of individuals in accomplishing their business dreams. This is, perhaps, supported by his clear background in the civic and social organisation industry and his knowledge of five languages on top of his native Italian, including English, French, and Spanish. However, Giorgio’s impressive range of skills do not end there – he boasts experience in business processing, negotiation, marketing management, business planning, and entrepreneurship. As such, The Hive’s popularity should come as no shock. It possesses numerous fivestar ratings online, with many sighting its professional offerings as a key player within the company’s popularity. In addition, The Hive’s devotion to creativity, upskilling, and innovation has made it the perfect place for people to explore their passions. This is all thanks to Giorgio, who has led the company with an unmatched level of expertise, which has ultimately earned him Best SME & Start-Up Support Company Founder (Eastern Italy): Giorgio Guidi. Contact: Giorgio Guidi Company: The Hive CoWorking & Incubator Web Address: https://en.the-hive.it/ May22631
How The Cloud Can Help Your Mortgage
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 8 2022 11 The landscape for the purchase andmanagement of mortgages has gone through a colossal overhaul in the past few years and LenderHomePage is at the forefront. Its team of developers crafted a tool that now looks to be the industry standard for mortgage and loan dealings. Rocky Foroutan is awarded Most Influential CEO, 2022 – Ontario, Canada, gives us some insight into how this happened. LenderHomePage is a leading provider of a unique, Cloudbased digital mortgage platform. It provides its services over websites, mobile apps, and other point-of-sale solutions. It helps loan officers to generate clients online whilst serving them quickly and effectively – maintaining a good work/life balance. LenderHomePage is client-centric at its core, crafting tools and services that bring value and long-term growth instead of short-term revenue or a gimmicky service. Lenders of all sizes benefit from its responsive and customisable sites, where it provides built-in marketing tools and integration with all the major 3rd party LOS applications. All alongside its Loanzify app that assists in generating leads and developing strong partnerships between realtors and lenders. It is among the pioneers in mortgage technology and has been so for nearly two decades. Remaining true to its mission of being relevant to its customers’ needs while adapting to economic changes has helped it thrive. Its core values of growth, innovation, passion, integrity, execution, and positivity are top of mind and lived by every single member of its team. Unlike most of its competitors, the leadership teamhas built a growthmodel driven solely by the cash flow from its customer base rather than outside investors. CEO of the company, Rocky Foroutan, believes “there’s something powerful to be said about relying on customer satisfaction and sales to grow a company. It drives you to be that much better and is the only answer to its clients.” His strong, unique views for how the company should run and grow have translated into overwhelming success. Rocky’s initial perspective is that he wanted to work “in the business” rather than “on the business”, taking a strong hands-on approach to nearly every aspect of the company’s development. The results have been undeniably positive for all involved, and his approach has grown and evolved alongside the company. Over the last 3-4 years, Rocky has built a solid and reliable leadership team to run the day-to-day operations. His focus is now firmly on business strategy, planning, and product ideas. Additionally, LenderHomePage is host to an exceptional teamwith super high levels of teamwork and cross-functionality, most of which have been with the company for more than five years. Rocky has created an environment where people don’t just build an incredible service and success but one where people wish to stay for the long run. The company began as a small group of progressive and talented software engineers seeking to improve the online lending experience for mortgage professionals and its consumers. Nowadays, its clients range from individual loan officers to mortgage brokers with small teams, all the way up to large enterprise accounts such as multi-branch, nationwide lenders with several hundred loan officers in its organisation. Its platform is holistic and highly scalable and clients can customise the service to fit their needs. Able to choose only the software they call for without committing to an entire overhaul in the process. However, the platform provides its maximum value when used in its entirety. As such, it gives clients a clear upward path to start as small as needed and add on as they go. So even clients can build up its service and add-on features as they require it. What’s more, it’s all adjustable by a click of a button. The ability to modify and personalise its software – without losing the intuitive flow – provides its clients with an enhanced digital mortgage experience for both its organisation and its borrowers. A service its competitors just can’t match. Recent years have come with new challenges and opportunities. Though the pandemic has remained a tumultuous time for many people, LenderHomePage is one of the few who strongly benefitted from some changes in circumstances. The move toward digital mortgages had begun years before, so by the time the pandemic started, it was already a thriving market. But as the industry experienced a sudden shift of demand to 100% digital, the demand for LenderHomePage’s products skyrocketed. Additionally, a boom in refinancing also fuelled the need for a touchless way to manage the surge of new loans. Even today, as it has dried up and society has returned to faceto-face interactions, the business continues to expand. Clients and consumers have made it clear – there is no going back to paper and pen. Consumers have experienced the speed and convenience of online transactions, and LenderHomePage’s service now influences it to become the norm. Its growth is mainly due to consumer demand and its forwardthinking that left it to provide. Despite this, it is not entirely devoid of challenges to conquer. Rocky noted that with mortgage rates rising significantly over the last few months, the second half of 2022 (and possibly 2023) would be a challenging time. However, he knows that the company’s breadth of products and the team’s excellent performance will mean continued growth. It will focus more on the home purchase and home equity markets, helping its clients to generate more realtor referrals and become more efficient in running mortgage businesses. Its plans are simple and will remain as they have always been, listen to clients and deliver value. Given the company’s – and Rocky’s – track record, it is a solid plan, and the leadership team will undoubtedly steer them through. LenderHomePage has such an innovative and scalable solution with a man at the helm who can bring it to its full potential. Contact: Rocky Foroutan Company: LenderHomePage Web: www.lenderhomepage.com Jun22146
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 8 2022 12 Entrepreneurial Spirit Mission Underwriting Managers LLC (Mission Underwriters) is a general agency in the P&C market which specialises in taking entrepreneurial underwriters and setting them up as a semiautonomous entity within its own structure. The firm strives to de-risk the concept of having your own business, by providing a packaged solution that addresses the challenges of going it alone. Led by Keith Higdon, winner of our Most Influential CEO, 2022 – Arizona, the USA award, we got in touch with him to learn more. ission Underwriters aims to be an innovative and diversified general agency that leverages the best underwriting talent and carrier partnerships in order to drive continuous growth and profitability. CEO, Keith Higdon tells us, “Our strategy is to create an environment that others find desirable, utilising cutting-edge technology in a SaaS model and services, and de-risking the idea of entrepreneurship while sharing more of the benefits of ownership with the series heads.” With an approach of “be in business for yourself, not by yourself,” Mission Underwriters offers a truly unique solution that provides a range of benefits for clients. First of all, it ensures the client company’s structure and employment, so they don’t need to wonder where income is coming from, or how to find a benefits administrator. It also means greater interest in the profitability of their business and insolation from other series, making the client the master of their own destiny. Making the most of this cutting-edge technology, which enables the underwriting process from policy administration to data source feeds, severely improves underwriting accuracy. As CEO of Mission Underwriters, Keith Higdon’s focus is on the customer while empowering team members to try new approaches – and be accountable for their responsibilities – keeping processes lean and effective and recognising that plans need to evolve. This has all created a solid foundation for the company which he believes will continue to reap benefits for the firm well into the future. Consistent throughout Keith’s career is his attention on the customer as well as making effective use of technology to improve each company’s offering and relationship. He began by working in consulting for a small firm and transitioned to one of the world’s largest, which gave him an abundance of perspective on what works and what doesn’t in a very short time. Keith shares, “Active listening and the ability to communicate difficult concepts into manageable ideas was critical to success in both environments, while organisational size and complexity highlighted the value of resources and the crushing effect of bureaucracy.” He continues, “My work in claims has always been consultative in nature either by definition or by my approach. Finding solutions is both far more exciting to me and beneficial to the customer, rather than focusing on the past or current approaches.” During these years, Keith further developed his technology and analytical skills, as these two areas continue to drive most value in the insurance industry. He says, “Recognising my skills rather than focusing on my past responsibilities was a benefit I received from two managers that allowed me to branch out, leverage my experience, and attempt different approaches to meet and exceed client expectations.” Keith seeks ambitious individuals to join his team. He looks for people who have an entrepreneurial spirit while providing a lifestyle conducive to the digital age – one that is both highly collaborative, and virtual, to meet the needs of talent and keep them engaged in the enterprise of insurance. He leads with empathy and sensitivity, vowing to practice what he preaches. He tells us, “I believe too many executives lose touch with their employees and forget what it means to be in the trenches. It’s easy to create a cycle of unnecessary hardship, or May22065 M at least, lack of empathy. Too often executives get desensitised, and I think they lose their culture and a lot of loyalty in the process. All of our lives are different – hopes, dreams, challenges, hardships – recognising this and reminding yourself of it is critical. You may be part of too large an organisation to know everyone, but you can always remind yourself of the reality of diversity in background and experience. It does exist.” Approximately every six months, the firm conducts an environment interview with all employees which provides opportunities to communicate directly with each audience, evaluate progress, obtain feedback, and strategise for the future. In today’s virtual world, staying connected is critical, so executives are sure to have additional meetings with departments throughout the year. Clients are also talked to on at least a monthly basis with both quarterly reviews that provide a comprehensive view into programme health and opportunities for improvement and growth. Indeed, process clarity and ongoing, consistent communication is key, coupled with candour and expectation setting. At the beginning of the client’s
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 8 2022 13 programme, an in-person kick-off meeting is scheduled. This generally stretches across two days, providing both work and social time to create a partnership between the Mission Underwriters team and its client. Keith comments, “From a structure perspective, we recognise the different skillsets required to onboard a programme versus ongoing relationship management. Therefore, we bifurcated the departments to leverage individual strengths while placing both departments under one executive to add continuity in messaging and escalation.” Keith genuinely wants to see not only his employees succeed, but series members as well. Under Keith’s leadership, Mission Underwriters is actually doing something to change how insurance is done. He understands the pain points and the struggles experienced by series members in their careers, and he puts the time, people, and resources in place to ensure their career with the firm is first-class, autonomous yet supportive, and successful. While Keith is ambitious, devoted and successful, that’s not to say that his role doesn’t come without its challenges. For Keith, the main challenge is ‘time,’ and he says, “I think the word ‘time’ sums up the overriding challenge that, in essence, causes other hardships. Time to find talent, time to find and connect with all prospects, time to expand into new markets, and time for oneself. This encompasses all employees, goes to culture, and goes to the priorities we have set. Leaders need to be stewards for their employees and their clients, so I don’t think this changes my role, it defined it from the beginning.” Now, Keith’s sights are set on Mission Underwriters’ future, where the goal is to continue on its innovative and diversified path while nurturing and making the most of the best underwriting talent. He believes that Mission Underwriters version 1.0 has met its goal and the team is now looking to define version 2.0 to continue the momentum. This means remaining focused on technology in the areas of automation, AI, and production analytics to be more efficient and improve its speed to market. Keith will also continue looking for underwriting staff with niche expertise and that entrepreneurial spirit and look to connect them with capacity that enables both parties to share in a growth story. Specifically for 2022, Mission Underwriters is expecting to roll out AI technology for uploading submissions, enhance its programme analytics with a new SaaS business intelligence suite, add another 3-4 series to its current 15 (as of April 2022), provide capacity through a portfolio of approximately six carriers, and look to expand operations into Canada. Keith concludes, “Mission Underwriters has just begun to write its story in the marketplace. I am proud of what we have accomplished and 100% of my attention is on the continued health and future growth of the organisation. I also hope to leverage my experience to promote thought leadership in the market and mentor others as they begin or redirect their career journey.” Company: Mission Underwriting Managers, LLC Contact: Keith Higdon Email: keith.higdon@ missionunderwriters.com Website: www.missionunderwriters.com CEO, Keith Higdon tells us, “Our strategy is to create an environment that others find desirable, utilising cuttingedge technology in a SaaS model and services, and derisking the idea of entrepreneurship while sharing more of the benefits of ownership with the series heads.” “ “
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 8 2022 14 Mar22259 Leading The Way Forward Good management is hard to find, but makes an enormous difference to the smooth running of any organisation. Christopher Puntureri has found himself not only able to lead the way in guiding businesses to new heights, but also able to be the change he wants to see in leadership. As CEO of Nacre Group, he has reached indescribable heights, earning the title of Most Influential CEO, 2022 - Texas, the USA. We take a closer look to discover how he’s done it. Nacre Group was created to help hospitality and multifamily owners to thrive. As an experienced team of consultants, they have knowledge of Engineering, Building, Maintenance, and Information Technology that ensures their clients can face even the most difficult of challenges. Leading this group forward is Christopher Puntureri, whose legendary background in hospitality has allowed him a unique insight into many of these areas. At the heart of Nacre Group is a passion for communication and a love for the needs of their partners, associates and clients. These two desires ensure that no matter what, the team go above and beyond when they are finding solutions to support organisations through challenging times. The guiding hand of Mr. Puntureri has proven invaluable to many businesses, as they have tried to prosper in difficult times. Part of the reason behind Nacre Group’s incredible success has been because the high standard of staff. As a result of Mr. Puntureri’s incredible calibre of employee, the business has over 20 years of proven track records at being some of the best in numerous industries. This depth of understanding means that instead of focusing on what has happened, Nacre Group can explain why something has happened and why something needs to be done to change the situation. This attitude means that the guidance provided is thoroughly empowering to those at various levels. They can solve problems, make decisions and accelerate the process of delivery. Because the team at Nacre Group has such a strong track record, they take great pride in their ability to achieve the desired outcomes at all times. Their competitive edge means that they won’t accept losing as an option at any point. The team is committed to doing what is necessary to achieve the results their clients want. This drive and determination comes from the top of the organisation, and is why Mr. Puntureri has such a strong record of success behind him. Whilst Nacre Group takes up a great deal of his time, Mr. Puntureri is also COO of Iridescent Hotels. This position, alongside his consultancy work with Nacre Group, has allowed him to ensure he knows the unique challenges facing people in his specialist area. Whilst many in the consultancy industry are far removed from what their clients face, Mr. Puntureri has spent years on the front line facing them, and still remains there today. When Nacre Group was founded, it was to help hospitality leaders to better use their time in a more efficient and effective way. Few understand this better than Mr. Puntureri, whose career has been not only spent in this arena, but exceling within it. We celebrate his tremendous success and the way in which he has decided to explore ways of sharing his immense understanding with others. Company: Nacre Group Name: Christopher Puntureri Email: [email protected] Web: www.nacregroup.com Jun2 738
CEO MONTHLY / ISSUE 8 2022 15 Winners’ Listings Simon Phillips Cato Most Influential CEO, 2022 - London, the United Kingdom Frinny Lee A.V. Mapping Co., Ltd Most Influential CEO, 2022- California, the USA Manjit Rana Insurtech Scout Most Influential CEO, 2022 - Nottinghamshire, the United Kingdom Robert Herman REscan Most Influential CEO, 2022 - California, the USA Mike Joseph Right Choice Insurance Brokers Ltd Most Influential CEO, 2022 - Romford, the United Kingdom Mary Grothe House Of Revenue CEO of the Year, 2022 - Colorado , the USA Nikola Howard Low Carb Living UK Most Influential CEO, 2022 - London, the United Kingdom
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