Profile
"West Oak’s success has come from always putting our clients’ best interests first and always finding ways to improve and add more value to them"
Andrew mcquiston,
west oak family office, wellington-altus private wealth
Industry veteran Gary Hirst, CEO and president of CHES Special Risk (CHES), has 38 years of insurance knowledge that has led him to great success in the Canadian MGA marketplace.
His career began in London, where he secured his first position with the independent wholesale broker Fenchurch Group in 1984. Working with Fortune 500 companies, he and his team were also tasked with developing international profiles, successfully becoming one of London’s first brokerages to produce business for regions such as South Africa.
“I was one of the youngest individuals promoted in the company, moving from assistant director to the director level, running a team of brokers that produced business from around the world,” he says.
After leaving Fenchurch Group in 1993, he moved to boutique broker JK Buckenham, starting an international division for the company over a five-year contract period. Upon completion of his contract with JK Buckenham, he became a founding member of Chesterfield Group.
“We started from scratch, although we did have existing client support that came on board. Some of those clients were MGAs who operated out of the USA, and one in particular, out of Texas we purchased, which was our first exposure to running a company in the United States,” he says. “That was followed five years later by participating in the ownership of an MGA in Canada, which was where my involvement in the North American sector began.
130 King St W, Toronto ON M5X 2A2
416 452 7850
gary.hirst@CHESspecialrisk.ca
linkedin.com/in/gary-hirst-91895028
chesspecialrisk.ca
Gary Hirst
President and Chief Executive Officer
CHES Special Risk
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Industry veteran Gary Hirst, CEO and president of CHES Special Risk (CHES), has 38 years of insurance knowledge that has led him to great success in the Canadian MGA marketplace.
His career began in London, where he secured his first position with the independent wholesale broker Fenchurch Group in 1984. Working with Fortune 500 companies, he and his team were also tasked with developing international profiles, successfully becoming one of London’s first brokerages to produce business for regions such as
South Africa.
“I was one of the youngest individuals promoted in the company, moving from assistant director to the director level, running a team of brokers that produced business from around the world,” he says.
After leaving Fenchurch Group in 1993, he moved to boutique broker JK Buckenham, starting an international division for the company over a five-year contract period. Upon completion of his contract with JK Buckenham, he became a founding member of Chesterfield Group.
“We started from scratch, although we did have existing client support that came on board. Some of those clients were MGAs who operated out of the USA, and one in particular, out of Texas we purchased, which was our first exposure to running a company in the United States,” he says. “That was followed five years later by participating in the ownership of an MGA in Canada, which was where my involvement in the North American sector began.
After moving to Toronto to facilitate business, Chesterfield Group was bought by an American Financial Group in 2012, but Gary continued to develop an interest in the Canadian MGA space, which culminated with him becoming involved with CHES in 2016, helping the company become one of the fastest-growing corporations in Canada. Starting with no business and only three employees, he took ownership of the company, which now has 60+ employees, 5 offices and services over 1,000 brokerages across Canada.
Gary Hirst
President and Chief Executive Officer
CHES Special Risk
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Industry veteran Gary Hirst, CEO and president of CHES Special Risk (CHES), has 38 years of insurance knowledge that has led him to great success in the Canadian MGA marketplace.
His career began in London, where he secured his first position with the independent wholesale broker Fenchurch Group in 1984. Working with Fortune 500 companies, he and his team were also tasked with developing international prHis career began in London, where he secured his first position with the independent wholesale broker Fenchurch Group in 1984. Working with Fortune 500 companies, he and his team were also tasked with developing international profiles, successfully becoming one of London’s first brokerages to produce business for regions such as South Africa.
“I was one of the youngest individuals promoted in the company, moving from assistant director to the director level, running a team of brokers that produced business from around the world,” he says.
After leaving Fenchurch Group in 1993, he moved to boutique broker JK Buckenham, starting an international division for the company over a five-year contract period. Upon completion of his contract with JK Buckenham, he became a founding member of Chesterfield Group.
Milestones
2020–
present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Received Canada’s Top SME award, 2020
MVA Digital Gold Award, 2020
Nominated as Global 100 Insurance Executive of Influence, 2020
Great Place to Work, 2022
2020–present
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2016–
2019
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Voted Top P&C MGA in Canada, 2016
Awarded 5-Star MGA in 2017, 2018 and 2019
2016–2019
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2011
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Moved to Canada to run the North American interests of Lloyd’s Broker, culminating in the sale of the group in 2012, and left two years later to join CHES Special Risk where he is president and CEO
2011
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
1998
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Started a small boutique with three other partners and expanded it into North America with the establishment of two Lloyd’s coverholder MGAs, one in Canada and the other in the US
1998
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Early 1980s
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Commenced his insurance career, starting at Lloyd’s Broker as a “scratch boy” running policy endorsements into the market. He rose to the level of director early in his career, which culminated in his participation in the management buy-out and subsequent floatation of Lloyd’s Broker onto the London Stock Exchange.
Early 1980s
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Early 1980s
1998
2011
2016–2019
2020–present
Gary Hirst
President and Chief Executive Officer
CHES Special Risk
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
2020
2019
2018
2020-2021
2014-2022
2020
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Received Best Lawyer in Canada Award (Employment and Labour Law)
2020
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2019
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
TeD Talk Speaker
2019
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2018
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
title of milestone
2018
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2020-2021
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Received Lexology Client Choice Award (Labour and Employment – Canada)
2020-2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2014-2022
human resources | key media
Received Best Lawyer in Canada Award (Employment and Labour Law)
2014-2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Milestones
Career Accolades
2020–present
2016–2019
2011
1998
Early 1980s
2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Received Canada’s Top SME award, 2020
MVA Digital Gold Award, 2020
Nominated as Global 100 Insurance Executive of Influence, 2020
Great Place to Work, 2022
2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2016–2019
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Voted Top P&C MGA in Canada, 2016
Awarded 5-Star MGA in 2017, 2018 and 2019
2016–2019
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2011
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Moved to Canada to run the North American interests of Lloyd’s Broker, culminating in the sale of the group in 2012, and left two years later to join CHES Special Risk where he is president and CEO
2011
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
1998
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Started a small boutique with three other partners and expanded it into North America with the establishment of two Lloyd’s coverholder MGAs, one in Canada and the other in the US
1998
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Early 1980s
human resources | key media
Commenced his insurance career, starting at Lloyd’s Broker as a “scratch boy” running policy endorsements into the market. He rose to the level of director early in his career, which culminated in his participation in the management buy-out and subsequent floatation of Lloyd’s Broker onto the London Stock Exchange.
Early 1980s
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Career Highlights
2020
2019
2018
2020-2021
2014-2022
2020
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Receive an excellence award
2020
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2019
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
TeD Talk Speaker
2019
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2018
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
title of milestone
2018
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2020-2021
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Received Lexology
Client Choice Award
(Labour and Employment – Canada)
2020-2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2014-2022
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Received Best Lawyer in
Canada Award
(Employment and Labour Law)
2014-2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Career Accolades
Milestones
Milestones
2020
2019
2018
2020-2021
2014-2022
2020
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Receive an excellence award
2020
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2019
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
TeD Talk Speaker
2019
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2018
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
title of milestone
2018
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2020-2021
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Received Lexology Client Choice Award (Labour and Employment – Canada)
2020-2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2014-2022
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Received Best Lawyer in Canada Award (Employment and Labour Law)
2014-2022
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Career Accolades
Milestones
2020–present
2016–2019
2011
1998
Early 1980s
2020–
present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Received Canada’s Top SME award, 2020
MVA Digital Gold Award, 2020
Nominated as Global 100 Insurance Executive of Influence, 2020
Great Place to Work, 2022
2020–present
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2016–2019
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Voted Top P&C MGA in Canada, 2016
Awarded 5-Star MGA in 2017, 2018 and 2019
2016–2019
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2011
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Moved to Canada to run the North American interests of Lloyd’s Broker, culminating in the sale of the group in 2012, and left two years later to join CHES Special Risk where he is president and CEO
2011
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
1998
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Started a small boutique with three other partners and expanded it into North America with the establishment of two Lloyd’s coverholder MGAs, one in Canada and the other in the US
1998
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Early 1980s
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Commenced his insurance career, starting at Lloyd’s Broker as a “scratch boy” running policy endorsements into the market. He rose to the level of director early in his career, which culminated in his participation in the management buy-out and subsequent floatation of Lloyd’s Broker onto the London Stock Exchange.
Early 1980s
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Milestones
“We started from scratch, although we did have existing client support that came on board. Some of those clients were MGAs who operated out of the USA, and one in particular, out of Texas we purchased, which was our first exposure to running a company in the United States,” he says. “That was followed five years later by participating in the ownership of an MGA in Canada, which was where my involvement in the North American sector began.
After moving to Toronto to facilitate business, Chesterfield Group was bought by an American Financial Group in 2012, but Gary continued to develop an interest in the Canadian MGA space, which culminated with him becoming involved with CHES in 2016, helping the company become one of the fastest-growing corporations in Canada. Starting with no business and only three employees, he took ownership of the company, which now has 60+ employees, 5 offices and services over 1,000 brokerages across Canada.
He and his team have a robust background in the multi-class sectors, from property and liability, to construction and specialist niche classes, which they have used to accelerate growth and identify product gaps in the marketplace for CHES to fill.
The award-winning organization has figured in Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star MGA and 5-Star Insurer Awards, and is also being recognized as MGA of the Year and an IBC Top Insurance Workplace.
With offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec and British Columbia, CHES will continue to expand not only within the Canadian MGA space, but in London and the US as well.
“We work very hard to create a corporation that understands the business and can distribute the products the Brokers require,” he says. “The North American market is extremely efficient, and brokers are well-educated. The advocacy for their client’s business is excellent, which makes for a better workflow.”
Looking ahead, CHES will be working diligently to produce a team of younger professionals and curating an environment that will foster ongoing growth over the
next year.
“Entering the US and UK markets provides great opportunities for our team members to get international experience. The plans
at CHES are ever evolving as we are independent, which allows us to innovate products and enter new marketplaces,”
he says.
His dedication to the insurance industry in general and the MGA channel inspired him to establish the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents (CAMGA), which operates based on three pillars: regulation, education and advocacy. His drive for running CHES Special Risk and establishing CAMGA stems from the same passion. Talking to people and helping them is his way to give back to the industry after a 38-year career in insurance globally. His vision is to build an organization that attracts top talent, while also attracting business partners to deliver quality distribution of their products.
He and his team have a robust background in the multi-class sectors, from property and liability, to construction and specialist niche classes, which they have used to accelerate growth and identify product gaps in the marketplace for CHES to fill.
The award-winning organization has figured in Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star MGA and 5-Star Insurer Awards, and is also being recognized as MGA of the Year and an IBC Top Insurance Workplace.
With offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec and British Columbia, CHES will continue to expand not only within the Canadian MGA space, but in London and the US as well.
“We work very hard to create a corporation that understands the business and can distribute the products the Brokers require,” he says. “The North American market is extremely efficient, and brokers are well-educated. The advocacy for their client’s business is excellent, which makes for a
better workflow.”
Looking ahead, CHES will be working diligently to produce a team of younger professionals and curating an environment that will foster ongoing growth over the next year.
“Entering the US and UK markets provides great opportunities for our team members to get international experience. The plans at CHES are ever evolving as we are independent, which allows us to innovate products and enter new marketplaces,” he says.
His dedication to the insurance industry in general and the MGA channel inspired him to establish the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents (CAMGA), which operates based on three pillars: regulation, education and advocacy. His drive for running CHES Special Risk and establishing CAMGA stems from the same passion. Talking to people and helping them is his way to give back to the industry after a 38-year career in insurance globally. His vision is to build an organization that attracts top talent, while also attracting business partners to deliver quality distribution of their products.
After moving to Toronto to facilitate business, Chesterfield Group was bought by an American Financial Group in 2012, but Gary continued to develop an interest in the Canadian MGA space, which culminated with him becoming involved with CHES in 2016, helping the company become one of the fastest-growing corporations in Canada. Starting with no business and only three employees, he took ownership of the company, which now has 60+ employees, 5 offices and services over 1,000 brokerages across Canada.
He and his team have a robust background in the multi-class sectors, from property and liability, to construction and specialist niche classes, which they have used to accelerate growth and identify product gaps in the marketplace for CHES to fill.
The award-winning organization has figured in Insurance Business Canada’s 5-Star MGA and 5-Star Insurer Awards, and is also being recognized as MGA of the Year and an IBC Top Insurance Workplace.
With offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec and British Columbia, CHES will continue to expand not only within the Canadian MGA space, but in London and the US as well.
“We work very hard to create a corporation that understands the business and can distribute the products the Brokers require,” he says. “The North American market is extremely efficient, and
brokers are well-educated. The advocacy for their client’s business is excellent, which makes for a
better workflow.”
Looking ahead, CHES will be working diligently to produce a team of younger professionals and curating an environment that will foster ongoing growth over the next year.
“Entering the US and UK markets provides great opportunities for our team members to get international experience. The plans at CHES are ever evolving as we are independent, which allows us to innovate products and enter new marketplaces,” he says.
His dedication to the insurance industry in general and the MGA channel inspired him to establish the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents (CAMGA), which operates based on three pillars: regulation, education and advocacy. His drive for running CHES Special Risk and establishing CAMGA stems from the same passion. Talking to people and helping them is his way to give back to the industry after a 38-year career in insurance globally. His vision is to build an organization that attracts top talent, while also attracting business partners to deliver quality distribution of their products.