MEA July 2017

8 MEA MARKETS / July 2017 , The Hollard Insurance Company Ltd provide a remarkable array of specialist insurance products and are committed to providing youwith the right type of cover you need. We took the chance to interview the firm’s ThabisoMasilo in our special, ‘As a Company of Note Working in South Africa – Feature’. Unity in Diversity At Hollard, they provide an incredibly broad range of specialist insurance products. This comes from their commitment to providing you with the exact cover you need. In a nutshell, this is what they do. • They’re South Africa’s largest privately-owned insurance group, with a turnover exceeding R15 billion; • They’re truly independent, having no bank or any institutional shareholders; • They hold both short-term and life insurance licenses, but share infrastructure and capabilities to offer seamless and integrated insurance solutions; • They have an impressive track record in innovation for insurance distribution and product development; • They underwrite most classes of insurance business in South Africa, either directly or through our partners; • They currently deliver insurance solutions to more than six million policyholders and; • They’re a team of almost 3,000 passionate ‘Hollardites’ in South Africa, with operations all over the world – including Australia, China, India, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Mozambique. Besides traditional personal insurance cover such as life, funeral, car, household and homeowner’s insurance, Hollard also offers several more niche personal insurance solutions as the firm’s Thabiso Masilo tells us. “In addition, we provide dynamic and innovative business insurance solutions. So, whether you’re planning for your future or that of your family, or thinking about your unique needs in areas such as travel, arts, antiques and collectables or even pet medical expenses, we have experts who’ll try and find an affordable solution, tailored to your needs. “As South Africa’s largest privately-owned insurance group, the Hollard Insurance Group includes The Hollard Insurance Company, Hollard Life Assurance Company and Hollard Investment Managers. Established in 1980, the group provides short-term and life insurance as well as investment products to a diverse customer base including individual consumers, commercial entities and corporate clients. “It ranks among a growing number of companies advocating an inclusive growth model, measuring its social dividends alongside its shareholder contributions. Since inception, partnership has been at the heart of its business model, with the group today boasting over 100 ventures across the insurance value chain. Each one demonstrates the Hollard belief that there is always a better way. “Headquartered in the historic Villa Arcadia in Parktown, Johannesburg, the group touches more than 6 million policy holders in 19 countries on four continents. Hollard employs more than 4000 people across the globe and posted R18.1 billion in premium income in the year to June 2016.” Core values and culture Some call it the firm’s culture, some call it their ethos and some Hollardites call it the Hollard mystique. Thabiso is keen to reveal more to us on this compelling point. “It’s really just the Hollard way. It’s something that we’re passionate about and something that’s continuously evolving, but it’s something that every Hollardite knows instinctively and brings to their day-to- day activities. At our core lies the concept of doing things differently, not for the sake of being different, but for truly making a significant difference. We want to make a positive change in the lives of our customers, our partners, our suppliers, our communities and the broader South Africa. “Although we have a set of important core values, we believe that it’s more than a list of values that sets a company apart. What really sets you apart is the extent to which exemplary values are lived, and at Hollard, we live each value every day. “As a Hollard customer, you can expect to be treated with respect, dignity and above all, a sense of common humanity. We expect to be held to the highest standards and while we certainly can’t claim 1701ME01 to always get it right, we’ll try our absolute best to live up to your expectations. Insurance is a serious business and we take what we do very seriously. We’re also good at it, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously.” BEE philosophy Hollard is largely focused on progression, which is deeply embedded in the way they think, feel and make decisions. That’s why they believe Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) is more than a regulatory requirement, it’s a prerequisite for South African businesses to move forward, develop and become more inclusive. Thabiso is eager to develop this progressive aspect of the firm’s work to us. “As a truly transformed company, ‘unity in diversity’ is a distinctive feature of our culture. It helps us guide the customer experience and the way we treat each other as a diverse range of Hollardites. This also empowers us to contribute to the sustained growth and development of our country and our people. In addition, we’re one of the first South African companies to launch Zimele-approved life products to the under-served market. “Embracing diversity - We’re committed to the transformation of our country and economy. Proof of this is our A-rating, accredited by the Financial Sector Charter Council (confirmed by Empowerdex) and the appointment and development of black South