2017 Hot List Recipient
2020 Hot List Recipient
2021 CEO of the Year
Accolades
Media
Passion, purpose, people
Kevin Doyle’s insurance journey was not merely a career choice but a calling driven by curiosity and a desire to make a meaningful impact.
After interning for two summers, Doyle instinctively knew that insurance would bring a wealth of opportunities.
“It fits what I was looking for,” he told Insurance Business. “A competitive environment but, more importantly, a lens into what makes the world go round because insurance is a conduit for businesses.”
Doyle formally entered the industry as a producer at Artex and rose to lead its North American business development team for several years.
Then, another opportunity came knocking. He joined RPS six years ago to helm P&C operations in its western region & Chicago group.
“When I took a step back, I realized the number of opportunities within RPS and the E&S (excess & surplus) sector,” said Doyle.
At the start of 2024, he took over as chief executive, as company stalwart and co-founder Joel Cavaness shifted into the role of chairman. The promotion marks the culmination of Doyle’s tenure at one of the largest US wholesale intermediaries.
But more than 15 years later, Doyle still revels in the passion and fulfilment he felt at the start of his career.
“I remember when I was in the internship, I would wake up every morning excited for what the day had to offer, and I still feel that way today,” he said.
“Being in an organization where you can be passionate about what you want to accomplish and how to move the business forward is what hit for me. Insurance may not be everybody’s first choice as a young professional, but once they start to peel the layers back, I think they’ll realize the opportunities are so vast within our space.”
Artificial intelligence will undoubtedly play a role in RPS’s growing infrastructure, and Doyle hinted at momentum behind the scenes.
"We’re still in the early stages of AI adoption,” he noted. “At RPS, we’re dedicated to understanding how to leverage AI to benefit our clients, employees, and carrier partners. While there are inherent risks, we approach AI with a strategic focus, ensuring robust governance, compliance, and cybersecurity measures.
“Although we embarked on this journey only 12 months ago, we already have exciting initiatives underway that will undoubtedly reflect in our client outcomes. We’re enthusiastic about the potential impact on our team, clients, and carrier relationships."
Unlocking those opportunities wouldn’t be possible without a talented team – and Doyle is immensely proud of the one he has at RPS.
“A big part of our value proposition is the people,” Doyle said. “The intellectual capital we have to continue to drive the business is the most exciting thing for me.
“There are probably more barriers to entry to the wholesale arena as an intermediary today. But it really boils down to the people out there executing.”
“It’s valuable to see what that means in action, especially as you grow to a large number of employees,” he reflected. “Having people truly dedicated to winning as a team and not only for themselves drives a fundamentally different culture.”
Ultimately, Doyle is optimistic about the opportunities for RPS and the broader insurance industry.
“We have a 27-year start on our culture that ties it all together,” said Doyle. “That’s a big part of who we’ve been and will continue to be.”
Spotlight
Doyle has clear priorities as he forges ahead to clear a growth path for RPS. For one, he is intent on leveraging data and analytics to unlock new opportunities and enhance value for clients, carriers, and colleagues.
“Data utilization is a big part of our strategy,” he said. “We’re also building proprietary products and capacity to solve market problems.”
As CEO, Doyle aims to position RPS for longevity in a continuously growing insurance market.
“About $7 trillion of premiums are traded globally across P&C, life, benefits, and so on. That means over the next 10, 20, or 30 years, with just two percent inflation, you could have about $140 billion of premium a year that needs to come from somewhere,” he said, citing the Swiss Re Sigma.
“The ability to be a conduit for those premiums, build facilities, underwrite and distribute policies is exciting.”
Founded as a scratch operation in 1997 with just four employees, Risk Placement Services has grown to be one of the largest specialty insurance distributors in the US, offering solutions in wholesale brokerage, binding authority, program administration, and standard lines, plus specialized auto through its Pronto Insurance brand. The firm’s online services include a quote-bind-issue platform that makes it possible for independent agents and brokers to come through for their clients with coverage in a matter of minutes.
Fueled by a culture of creativity, innovation, and teamwork, RPS continues to add top-tier talent to its roster of insurance specialists and growth through new merger partners, all with one central focus – providing insurance expertise and executing on the best outcomes for our clients.
Company Profile
$7.2B
PREMIUMS PLACED ANNUALLY
40+
exclusive programs
25,000+
clients served
500+
market relationships
3,000+
employees
Bio
Spotlight
Milestones
Media
Accolades
Company Profile
Years of Experience
15+
FAST FACT
Transitioned from a college intern to a seasoned professional, all under the roof of the same esteemed organization
Favorite quote
“I want your actions to speak so loud that we can’t hear what you say”
Kevin Doyle
Chief Executive Officer at Risk Placement Services (RPS)
The three things that energize RPS’ chief executive – and the reason he believes the wholesale intermediary is poised for more growth
Read on
“While there are inherent risks, we approach AI with a strategic focus, ensuring robust governance, compliance, and cybersecurity measures. We already have exciting initiatives underway that will undoubtedly reflect in our client outcomes”
Kevin Doyle,
RPS
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Years in the industry
15+
Fast fact
Transitioned from a college intern to a seasoned professional, all under the roof of the same esteemed organization
BAsed In
Toronto, Ont.
Favorite quote
“I want your actions to speak so loud that we can’t hear what you say”
Karen Adams
President and CEO at Fundserv
Before becoming CEO of Fundserv, Karen Adams held a variety of leadership roles around the world – and she learned that listening and understanding are key to both providing service and developing talent
Read on
Share
Share
Years in the industry
15+
fast fact
Transitioned from a college intern to a seasoned professional, all under the roof of the same esteemed organization
Favorite quote
“I want your actions to speak so loud that we can’t hear what you say”
Karen Adams
President and CEO at Fundserv
Career highlight
Before becoming CEO of Fundserv, Karen Adams held a variety of leadership roles around the world – and she learned that listening and understanding are key to both providing service and developing talent
Read on
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Ushering a new era of growth at RPS
Published May 20, 2024
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People
“Insurance may not be everybody’s first choice as a young professional, but once they start to peel the layers back, I think they’ll realize the opportunities are so vast within our space”
Kevin Doyle,
RPS
Bridging AI technology and talent
‘Working for the cause, not the applause’
Despite the rapid pace of technological advancements, Doyle remains grounded in RPS’ core values and culture, recognizing the pivotal role of people in driving the company’s success.
Fostering a culture of collaboration, integrity, and mutual respect is paramount to RPS’ long-term success. Doyle best described RPS’ organizational culture as one about “working for the cause, not the applause.”
1997
1998
2005
2014
2020
Today
RPS formed as an independent wholesale broker of specialty insurance products with just four employees and two carrier partners
1997
RPS completed its first mergers and entered the MGA business, eventually growing to become the largest US Lloyd’s coverholder/MGA in the US
1998
RPS entered the program administration business and reached $1 billion premium placed annually
2005
RPS launched a streamlined online quote-bind-issue platform. Today, the platform offers more than 20 products available to quote-bind-issue in five minutes or less
2014
RPS’ unique program offerings formalized under a single identity, RPS Signature Programs. Today, they offer more than 40 exclusive programs
2020
RPS is one of the largest specialty insurance distributors in the US, and boasts nearly 3,000 employees across 80+ offices
Today
Milestones
1997
1998
2005
2014
2020
Today
RPS formed as an independent wholesale broker of specialty insurance products with just four employees and two carrier partners
1997
RPS completed its first mergers and entered the MGA business, eventually growing to become the largest US Lloyd’s coverholder/MGA in the US
1998
RPS entered the program administration business and reached $1 billion premium placed annually
2005
RPS launched a streamlined online quote-bind-issue platform. Today, the platform offers more than 20 products available to quote-bind-issue in five minutes or less
2014
RPS’s unique program offerings formalized under a single identity, RPS Signature Programs. Today, they offer more than 40 exclusive programs
2020
RPS is one of the largest specialty insurance distributors in the US, and boasts nearly 3,000 employees across 80+ offices
Today
Milestones
1997
1998
2005
2014
2020
Today
RPS formed as an independent wholesale broker of specialty insurance products with just four employees and two carrier partners
1997
RPS completed its first mergers and entered the MGA business, eventually growing to become the largest US Lloyd’s coverholder/MGA in the US
1998
RPS entered the program administration business and reached $1 billion premium placed annually
2005
RPS launched a streamlined online quote-bind-issue platform. Today, the platform offers more than 20 products available to quote-bind-issue in five minutes or less
2014
RPS’s unique program offerings formalized under a single identity, RPS Signature Programs. Today, they offer more than 40 exclusive programs
2020
RPS is one of the largest specialty insurance distributors in the US, and boasts nearly 3,000 employees across 80+ offices
Today
Milestones