Meet the Pro MGA team: Andrew Saunders, Zakk Powell, Samantha Game

Andrew Saunders

Tell us about your job at Pro MGA Global Solutions

Having started at Pro MGA five months ago, I have learned that the Account Manager role is one of great adaptability and creative thinking. One of the positives of the role is that no two clients are the same in terms of their requirements, the risks they bind, the queries. There is an element of spinning plates but getting to know the clients is a rewarding part of the Job. Getting an MGA up and trading is a really fulfilling and rewarding part of the role.

What is your perception of innovation in the MGA sector?

MGAs have the opportunity and position to be more agile than big insurers. MGAs can build their business on or around technology whereas the big companies are often slower to get the product/idea to market. MGAs also have the possibilities of becoming experts within a field; they can showcase their knowledge and understanding within a sector/class of business which enables them to connect more with their clients and add value.

What do you enjoy about working at Pro MGA Global Solutions?

The team, the culture and the knowledge of our people. Positions and roles can change but people don’t. Pro MGA has a superb team in place with such a variety of skills. It makes asking questions easy, which helps develop confidence and knowledge.

What advice would you offer someone thinking of joining the MGA sector?

Do it, it’s like no job you have done before. You will learn how to find solutions in different ways than you do now. As every client is different, no day is the same – it’s a job that will never bore you. It can be extreme but if you get on with the clients, it’ll be enjoyable and extremely rewarding.

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Zakk Powell

Tell us about your job at Pro MGA Global Solutions

My role at Pro MGA is to incubate prospective MGAs from an idea to an appointed representative with the vision of becoming a fully-fledged, fully FCA-authorised entity. Alongside this, I have also recently begun supporting MGAs in bringing about solutions to their needs, whether that be developing a new class of business or system to make their MGA more accessible. It is extremely interesting piecing together a puzzle when the final outcome isn’t completely clear; there are multiple avenues that need to be explored and decisions required on which one would fit best with the client’s ongoing needs.

What is your perception of innovation in the MGA sector?

Having only been with Pro MGA for four months, I am still learning the role. However, my eyes have been opened to the world of MGAs and their attraction in improving the insurance market.

It appears to me that the MGA sector is at the forefront of innovation in the insurance market; we are seeing more technology companies joining the MGA sector and introducing their systems and products to the market. While many established insurance companies are more likely to be inflexible to change, newer and less established MGAs are willing to embrace these products and bring them into the limelight – and the success from these adoptions will push the rest of the sector to improve their own products and drive innovation.

In my short tenure at Pro MGA, I have seen next-gen ledger systems, quote and bind systems, as well as other novel insurtech systems which in time will drive further change through competition in the market.

What do you enjoy about working at Pro MGA Global Solutions?

Working in the Pro MGA team, we see a multitude of differing MGA prospects all with different challenges.  I enjoy adapting my style to work through these challenges. Being new to the team, I have also felt really well supported by all my colleagues from all sections of the business; C-Suite, Compliance and Account Management who all strive to achieve the shared common goal of helping our clients shine and succeed.

What advice would you offer someone thinking of joining the MGA sector?

My biggest piece of advice would be to have a growth mindset as it is an ever-evolving sector that is embracing change and growing to be an essential part of the insurance industry as a whole.

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Samantha Game

Tell us about your job at Pro MGA Global Solutions

I am responsible for managing our portfolio of retail Appointed Representatives (ARs) and I work with our clients throughout the onboarding process right through to business-as-usual. I’m the first point of contact for any queries, be that compliance or operational matters.

I have a retail background and have worked to create and develop MGAs in previous roles. This allows me to understand our clients’ trading models and end-to-end processes, which I think is important. A big part of my role is to manage the needs and expectations of both external and internal stakeholders. My goal is to achieve a balance between regulation and innovation. I work with our clients to ensure they are achieving their objectives, while remaining consistent with FCA guidelines.

What is your perception of innovation in the MGA sector?

I see so much innovation within the MGA sector. MGAs are identifying common frustrations in the market and offering solutions to the consumer. This could be by providing innovative products, or through the addition of new technology which lessens the pain of grudge purchases, such as car insurance. Our retail clients are very forward thinking, particularly when it comes to their customers. The recent FCA regulations around Consumer Duty, for example, have been covered off very well by retail MGAs even before these guidelines were created. Ultimately, an MGA’s objective is to provide niche products and offer great service levels to the end customer.

What do you enjoy about working at Pro MGA Global Solutions?

Firstly we have great clients with new thoughts and ideas about how to improve the market, which is always exciting to be a part of. As a team we are keen to collaborate, support one another and share ideas. We also have a brilliant leadership team promoting employee progression within our business.

What advice would you offer someone thinking of joining the MGA sector?

If you are looking to start an MGA as a business owner I say, go for it! The MGA sector is all about changing conventional processes created by traditional corporate entities. As a new MGA to market you should consider the importance of your compliance and operational functions. Very often premium income is the lead metric for success, but running a profitable book in a compliant way is key for longevity.

There are real growth opportunities for anyone looking for a career in the MGA sector particularly with companies like Pro MGA, which are providing outsourced services such as compliance. The potential for learning is huge.