Profile
“I stay grounded in the way I show up. I own my vulnerabilities, I seek council when needed, and I’m open about my own battles, for example, balancing working life with being a mum. But one thing has remained true throughout my career so far, I am confident in who I am, what I know, and what value proposition I bring to the table.”
Colette Taylor
Sovereign Insurance
Colette Taylor is the chief operating officer of Sovereign Insurance.
After starting as a broker at Marsh, she moved from her native New Zealand to Canada 20-years ago and has since become a respected industry leader, assuming her current role in 2022.
She attributes her rise to always presenting her full authentic self.
“That’s a scary thing to do, and it feels extremely vulnerable, but I have also received a lot of positive feedback, often from people I don’t know, thanking me for being so candid and open with what I share.”
Despite holding a senior role and being an influential figure, Taylor maintains an attitude of growth and learning.
1400 - 1 York St., Toronto, ON M5J 0B6
416 457 1917
colette.Taylor@sovgen.com
linkedin.com/in/colette-taylor-377541b
sovereigninsurance.ca
Colette Taylor
Chief Operating Officer
Sovereign Insurance
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“I unpack complex situations, with many stakeholders, into manageable bite sized pieces that then feel actionable. I enjoy taking the time to understand the variety of viewpoints and priorities that drive differing opinions around the table and find solutions that we can all get behind. Ultimately, I still sign up to the perspective that we are in a people business and I value bringing that to the table in any situation.”
Colette Taylor
Sovereign Insurance
1995–2004
2010–2018
2020
2022
2023
1995–1998: Started out as a broker at Marsh
1998–2004: Quickly rose through the ranks as an underwriter at QBE Insurance and The St Paul/Travelers before taking on an account executive role at Jones DesLauriers
1995–
2004
2010: Joined RSA and held increasingly senior leadership roles within the organization, including VP of Global Specialty Lines and flagged for the leadership track program during her time at RSA
2018: Joined Sovereign Insurance as VP of Specialty Operations and Specialty Distribution
2010–
2018
Took on the commercial oversight as VP of Commercial and Specialty Lines at Sovereign Insurance
2020
Appointed as COO of Sovereign Insurance
Recognized as one of IBC’s Elite Women
2022
Shortlisted for IBC’s CEO of the Year award
2023
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
• Gold award for Magazine or Newspaper Advertisement
• Silver award for Promotional Email
• Silver award for Most Out-of-the-Box Idea
With absolute commitment to insurance, Taylor is keen to leave the profession in the most advantageous position possible.
She adds, “I would love to contribute to an industry that will look more diverse in terms of talent (more reflective of the communities we serve), that is appreciated for the resilience we contribute through our products and services, and that is seen as progressive and dynamic in the solutions we offer. These are lofty goals but the glimmers of activity we are now seeing in these key areas give me great hope for our future.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Under her guidance, Sovereign operates in the commercial mid-market and specialty lines space, intermediated through insurance brokers and MGAs.
Her focus on innovation, efficiency, and informed underwriting has streamlined the firm’s operations, fostered a more collaborative and efficient experience for the organization’s brokers and partners, and made a significant impact on supporting Sovereign’s profitability.
The firm views itself as ‘partners in resilience’ as Taylor prioritises networking and creating meaningful connections across the industry.
She explains, “Building relationships is important to me, in fact our whole Sovereign strategy is to demonstrate to our partners and clients just how much we value being seen as a true risk management partner to them on a long-term basis. As we are a niche insurer, it is easier for me to build direct relationships with our key partners.”
A key component of Taylor’s leadership and professional skillset is her ability to divide projects into tasks.
Her approach is to encourage discussion and operate in a collegial environment.
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