Obituary: Farewell to Robert Brian Hudson, MD of MUA

It is with great sadness and regret that we announce the peaceful passing of Robert Hudson (pictured right), who was a founding shareholder of Motor Underwriting Agencies (Pty) Ltd and a luminary member of the short term insurance industry in South Africa.

With origins dating back to 1988 as South Africa's first specialist motor underwriter, MUA Insurance Company Ltd was created in November 2001. Prior to that, with the backing of several large financial institutions, including South Africa's Fedsure Group and the Hannover Reinsurance Group of Germany, the company was very successfully involved in specialist motor vehicle insurance for over 15 years. At the time, MUA was a pioneer in its field being one of the first underwriting agencies in South Africa.

In 2002, the operations of MUA were amalgamated into MUA Insurance Company Ltd, a company that grew consistently and profitably under Hudson’s tenet and leadership. In 2006 the company expanded successfully to include all personal lines insurance for the executive market.

Although as a result of his illness over the past two years, Hudson took a back seat in the running of his company, he still remained a vital influence in the organization and an esteemed voice in the industry. A visionary, astute and principled businessman and an all round genuine “gentleman”, Robert Hudson will be sorely missed by all, as was testified to by the number of well wishers who recently paid their respects to the departed at a private memorial service.

In life and in death, Robert Hudson is remembered by the industry for his foresight and determination to build an ethical and solid business along his own strict principles and fair business practices of delivering superior short term insurance policies and the attendant quality service which earned him respect not only from his staff but from peers.

The industry will be all the poorer for having lost him.