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“No matter how many clients I have, I make sure to call each one personally every quarter. It’s a chance to not only update them on their portfolio, but also check on how they’re doing personally”
Kelvin Rampersad,
Carte Wealth Management
Nobody builds a successful career on their own. When Mike Hessling took on the role of Chief Executive Officer in North America for Gallagher Bassett (GB) in February 2020, the looming challenge of a global pandemic had already created uncertainty and the potential impact demanded attention. Within one month of his appointment, the world’s economy was flung into turmoil, and Hessling had to steer the business through one of the most unusual periods in modern history. Looking back three years removed, he credits the same values that have shaped his career as a leader with helping him navigate this unprecedented situation.
“Leaders need to be guided by clear values that serve as a constant, especially in times of change and challenge. My values have been shaped by my parents, my wife, my faith, and my colleagues, and serve as the foundation for every decision I make as a leader,” he says, “By surrounding myself with leaders who share my values, I can lead with confidence because I trust in our beliefs and intentions.”
Hessling has been a key member of GB’s global leadership team since 2012. Prior to taking the CEO position, he held the position of North America Chief Client Officer, during which time the business enjoyed excellent levels of client satisfaction, retention, and growth. As CEO of GB in North America, Hessling now leads over 4,000 team members, inclusive of GB’s North America claim operation.
As the U.S. economy continues to grow in complexity and businesses contend with a confluence of events with major macroeconomic impacts, including inflation, the war in Ukraine, labor shortage, and ongoing supply-chain disruptions, Hessling is looking forward to opportunities.
“We continue to be very bullish on the opportunities within our core risk-management segment,” he says. “In times of uncertainty, clients look for partners they can rely on to be there through thick and thin to help navigate challenges and proactively manage their cost of risk. We also continue to see opportunities in the carrier space. Many carriers are now looking to partner with organizations like GB to help manage their claims, so that's an area of continued growth and opportunity for our business.”
GB’s work as a major global claims management partner for employers and insurance carriers is heavily dependent upon outcomes and securing the best possible solutions for all stakeholders – especially when faced with economic, social, and political uncertainties. Outcomes are ultimately where GB differentiates itself, according to the CEO.
“In workers’ compensation, we focus on areas like return to health, return to work, overall claim duration, the total cost of indemnity and medical, and how we can make sure we're delivering on those outcomes as effectively and efficiently as possible,” explains Hessling. “We work hard to make sure that we benchmark those results on a like-for-like basis against historical claims, as well as against industry averages, to make sure that we're evolving as an organization to best serve our clients.”
“We're also excited to be able to branch out beyond claims in areas like environmental health and safety consulting, on-site safety training for our clients, and investigative services. The organizations we partner with are really trying to be more holistic in how they manage their cost of risk, and they're looking to GB to be able to help them do that.”
As an organization with wide-ranging risk and claim services for all industries, anything that is happening in the overall economy affects GB and its clients, Hessling explains. Like all strong leaders, he’s focused on what matters most: looking for new opportunities to proactively address the needs of clients and empowering his people to drive growth.
“I have always felt two concepts, business growth and team member success, are complementary to one another. Growth creates opportunities for team members to innovate, tackle new challenges, and build teams. And investing in team members better positions them to lead growth in our business – they become more inspiring, more motivating, and more capable of driving growth.”
Hessling credits the mentorship he received throughout his career with helping him grow into a well-rounded leader, and he encourages young professionals to seek out the guidance of their industry peers.
“Perhaps the most important thing up-and-coming professionals can do is seek the guidance of mentors who have had successful careers. Though we all have unique paths during our careers, I cannot stress enough how important it is to have people that care about you and who actively invest in your development. Strong mentors are willing to give your constructive feedback and help create or find opportunities for you to grow. Nobody builds a successful career on their own.”
2850 Golf Rd., Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
630 285 4269
michael_hessling@gbtpa.com
linkedin.com/in/mike-hessling-6809516
gallagherbassett.com
Mike Hessling
Chief Executive Officer – North America
Gallagher Bassett
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“I strongly believe in working smarter, not harder. I think it’s one of the keys to living a great life, and I want to share that with as many people as possible”
Kelvin Rampersad,
Carte Wealth Management
2007–2012
2012–2020
2022
Present
2018–2021
Principal at Bain & Company
2007–
2012
2012–2020: Chief Client Officer at Gallagher Bassett
2017: Business Insurance Breakout Award winner
2012–
2020
Recognized as one of Insurance Business’ Global 100
2022
Chief Executive Officer at Gallagher Bassett since 2020
Present
Business Development Director – Asia-Pacific at 360Globalnet
2018–
2021
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Aug 2022
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
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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
Leading with purpose