Rob Bickerton, B.Comm (Hons), CFE, CSWP, CPA, CRM, FCIP, FCPA, FCSI, FMA, LPCS, RPLU

Senior Underwriter, Corporate Risk Division, Guarantee Company of North America, Toronto, ON

Since joining the Insurance Industry in 2002 Rob Bickerton has demonstrated leadership academically, professionally and in his community and industry contributions.

He has an established passion for learning and for sharing that knowledge in his writing and as a mentor within the industry. His ongoing educational pursuits attest to his dedication to a life of learning. For example, Rob is the only CIP Society member to have obtained their CIP and FCIP designations in the same year. Since joining the insurance industry, Rob has earned designations spanning the insurance, securities and accounting industries. Some of these include becoming a Certified Public Accountant, completion of the CGA program of studies and work experience on his own time, and becoming a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute. He willingly shares his ever expanding understanding and expertise not only with his colleagues but with brokers, clients and the industry at large through regular articles and communication.
One nominee describes Rob as a leader, because of “his natural professionalism, his passion for learning and his ability to share what he learns in a written way that benefits the insurance industry.”

Rob joined the Guarantee Company of North America (GCNA) eight years ago and is now seen by his colleagues as “a role model, advisor, and mentor who demonstrates an ability to positively influence people.”

When Rob first joined GCNA, he caught on quickly. In these early years, he was instrumental in expanding the company’s Fiduciary Liability Insurance sales. His efforts lead to new relationships with key brokerages. Rob’s connections have helped to build the book of sales of business with a particular brokerage from zero to a six-figure premium volume.

Rob’s willingness to contribute a great deal of time to the insurance industry and community can be seen in his ongoing contributions to Canadian Underwriter and in his volunteer work as a director on several non-profit boards of directors. He is diligent and meticulous when researching his topics and he is able to research and write articles for Canadian Underwriter on a wide variety of topics that are relevant to insurers, brokers, claims adjusters and risk managers across the country. According to his nominators, Rob volunteers his time writing articles because “he is intrinsically motivated to educate others.”

Rob gives back to the industry as an ambassador for the Institute’s Career Connections programs and received a special invitation as a Fellow of the Canadian Securities institute to join Junior Achievement of Ontario. In these roles Rob helps promote career options in the financial and insurance sectors to youth.

“Rob Bickerton exemplifies the qualities of a leader by demonstrating excellent work ethic, active listening and unwavering commitment to his employer, community and his colleagues.”

It is with great pleasure that the CIP Society acknowledges Rob Bickerton as a 2010 Emerging leader.