Véronique Brionne: Client-first focus the key for Everest in Europe

Adopting a client-first focus in Europe is a key differentiator for Everest Insurance International as large clients in these markets have previously felt their needs were not fully being met, underscoring the necessity for a partner like Everest, the firm’s head of continental Europe has told The Insurer TV.

During an interview at the Federation of European Risk Management Associations (Ferma) Forum in Madrid last month, Véronique Brionne discussed how the firm is looking to progress in an increasingly competitive market.

In recent months Everest has made several senior appointments in Europe to further strengthen its value proposition in the continent.

“The market in Europe is definitely very diverse. Local conditions can be a bit different from one market to another. But there is a common theme to every market, which is the client's needs,” she said.

“Everything that drives our strategy is about the client's needs. We develop our products, our services, and our value proposition to the market, based on what the client needs.”

Brionne noted the firm’s strategy had emerged from previous wider market developments in the continent.

“Large clients, in particular, in those markets, [during] these past years, may have felt a little bit neglected, to some respect, [after] some remediation actions and some things, which were going on.

“What Everest brings to the market is a sense of client-first,” Brionne said, adding this approach involves ascertaining needs around, for example, raising risks in a fast-changing risk landscape.

“If you are a construction company or large hotel group, your needs are not the same, your exposure is not the same. So, our approach is really to make sure we understand very much from within.”

Brionne also discussed Everest’s strategy to attract and retain talent and noted the importance of a culture at an organisation, specifically around the firm’s “One Everest” strategy.

“We work as a team to address clients' needs, not only from the underwriting standpoint, but also with all the functions we have in the group. So, I think, this One Everest is the culture that makes us completely unique.”

She added while technical skills around underwriting discipline and responding to clients needs are critical, the firm is more focused on what talent “can bring to the table.”

“A very good example of that is risk engineering. We're currently investing in risk engineering. And it's not about insurance as such, it's about really providing the best expertise.”

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