New head for Santam specialist business

Quinten Matthew (pictured right), formerly the Head of Broker Services, has been appointed Head of Specialist Business at Santam, with effect from 1 April 2008.

Specialist Business which includes the business units of, Niche Business, Underwriting Management companies and Corporate business. Specific business lines include liability, corporate assets, marine, aviation, construction, engineering, body corporate, motor and travel insurance. In all instances the focus is on providing comprehensive and innovative insurance solutions for specialised markets.

Matthew started his career in the industry in 1986 as an underwriting clerk, before moving into a marketing position. In 1999 he took up a position at Swiss Re as Head of Client Management for sub Saharan Africa, prior to joining Santam in 2003 as Head of Niche Business. In 2005 he was appointed Head of Broker Services, with specific responsibility for the introduction of Santam’s new Broker Management Model, in line with Santam’s decision to become totally intermediary-driven.

Matthew says that the key challenges of his new position will be to evaluate and develop new products and services, and to support and improve existing products, in a manner that meets and exceeds broker and client expectations.

“We are committed to a client-centric approach that will support and grow broker business as well as achieve Santam’s objectives for financial growth.

The challenge is to create an environment in which Santam and our business partners can grow the business, both organically and through acquisitions and partnerships,” he says.

“My role will be to improve access to the specialist products, share knowledge and insights on the value that these products can bring and improve the ease of doing business with Santam. An immediate focus will be on achieving synergies throughout the organisation in order to improve service, access and cost effective delivery.”

“It goes without saying that I am excited about the prospects which the new role brings and the opportunity to utiliseand bridge the relationships which I have formed with the broker market over the past years,” he concludes.