Robert Pearson, FCIP

President & CEO, Town & Country Mutual Insurance Company, Strathroy, ON

Among his many accomplishments in his over 40 year career in the industry, Robert Pearson’s impressive leadership legacy may be three fold: the contribution he has made as President and CEO of Town & Country Mutual Insurance Company; his tenure as a member of the board of Ontario Mutual Insurance Association (OMIA), currently Chair, and his promotion of ‘mutuals;’ and his role as an instructor and mentor to over 20 years of students in Fanshawe College’s insurance program, preparing the next generation for careers in the industry.

When Rob was hired as CEO of Town and Country Mutual, an amalgamation of three small mutuals four years prior, the board was looking for “a strong leader to shape the three former companies into a cohesive single company. It was a major job that I believe he has handled successfully,” says a director of the board.

“Rob has helped guide this company from $3 million of written premium to a company with $14.8 million written premium in about ten years. He has an ability to hire skilled people and challenges them to share his vision of a strong mutual insurance company which not only cares about policy holders, but also gives back to the community through charitable commitments and donations.”

Town & Country is dedicated to charitable and community involvement and is becoming one of the top donors for the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation. The organization also contributed to the new Community Splash Pad and Playground, as well as supporting local clubs and sports teams. Rob sets an example for his staff and encourages employee engagement at charity golf and volleyball tournaments, BBQ fundraisers, and participation at the local parade.

One supporter summed it up this way: “I feel quite certain that Town and Country Mutual would not be the company that it is today without Rob’s guidance and leadership.”

Rob’s role on the board of OMIA over the last five years has been active: serving and chairing several committees, and moving through the Vice Chair roles and into the Chair’s role for 2016/17. “Rob is a valuable member of the OMIA Board as he has such a wide variety of insurance experience, he is very well read, he has the confidence to speak his mind, he has many industry contacts, and most important of all, he approaches all issues with passion, confidence, a caring attitude, and a great sense of humour,” writes one of his supporters.

Another supporter states: “Both on a personal and professional level, I value Rob’s advice and guidance and I know this is true for all my colleagues at OMIA and in the mutual system.”

As a longstanding instructor with the Fanshawe Insurance program, Rob “is and will continue to be one of the students’ favourite teachers,” writes one of his supporters. “His passion for the industry, his knowledge and understanding of all aspects of insurance, and his warm approachable nature, have endeared him to generations of young professionals in our business. He has provided them with strong educational experiences that have allowed many to grow into the future leaders of our industry.”

It is the CIP Society’s honour to recognize Robert Pearson as an Established Leader in 2016.