ICWI Coverage 50th Anniversary

Contents 3

Message from the Chairman

33

Message from ICWI Alumni

5

Our Founder The Hon. Dennis Lalor, OJ

34

Icwi Group Foundation

10

History of ICWI 1969-2019

16

The Road Angel Policy

38

Message from ICWI Alumni

18

The Brand Evolution

38

ICWI Foundation

19

ICWI’s Technology Progression Over the Past 50 Years

39

Keeping our Promise

23

Message from ICWI Alumni

41

5Oth Anniversary Celebrations

24

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Standing the Test of Time

Howard Hall

30 Plus Years

24

»»

Ms. Barbara Mitchell

25

»»

Mrs. Monica Ayres

26

»»

Ms. Nichola Findlay

27

»»

Ms. Joy-Marie Hussey

28

»»

Mrs. Nortelle Thomas

29

»»

Mrs. Dawn Raynor-Walker

20

»»

Ms. Ivy Grizzle

31

»»

Mr. Chopie Brown

32

»»

Mrs. Moreen Marks

Christian Watt

“Meeting 21st Century Leadership Challenges”

Grace Burnett

Jeanne Robinson

Message From Our

Chairman

A

s we celebrate another

clients on the path back to normality.

milestone

After all that is the essence of our

in

the

rich history of The Insurance

business.

Company

of the West Indies, and as we make

It is our sincere belief that no company

exciting plans for the future of the

can operate for 50 years without

Company and the ICWI Group as a

being a significant contributor to

whole, it seems appropriate for us to reflect on the events of our past, the lessons learned and the history that has made us who we are today.

In the highly competitive general insurance

industry

our

success

has always relied on service and discipline. Service has always been on the top of our list of core values and ICWI’s internal culture called the ICWI Way and our motto “Serving you is all we do” show our steadfast commitment as an organization.

Our discipline has certainly borne fruit as evidenced by the stellar performance in dealing with the impact of natural disasters over the

Our Founder The Hon. Dennis Hugh Lalor, OJ

past five decades. An unwavering focus on having the finest talent, the processes to respond rapidly, and ensuring that our reinsurance programme is second to none have always allowed us to quickly focus on settling claims and putting our “Serving you...is all we do”

3

the communities in which they operate. In 1983 ICWI formalised its philanthropic efforts in the form of The ICWI Group Foundation and from the early days of Wizzy the Wise Old Owl through the Science Learning Centre, our Staff Education Fund and now the Lighthouse Basic School we have always been committed to

supporting

Early

Childhood

Education. We have made significant donations

to

many

worthwhile

causes at home and regionally. More recently, we have made a significant regional commitment to helping to raise awareness and funding for the fight against breast cancer. It is our plan that the hearts and hands of the ICWI team will make a significant difference in the lives of persons battling this disease, while also ensuring that we do our utmost best to promote the need for frequent checkups.

Thus, in this our 50th year of service to the wider Caribbean, our core vision remains to be the most professional General Insurer in every market in which we do business. Our plan remains, as our name suggests, to continue our expansion in the region, always focused on remaining committed to our customers and our values.

4

Celebrating 50 years of service

“Service has always been on the top of our list of core values and ICWI’s internal culture called the ICWI Way and our motto “Serving you is all we do” show our steadfast commitment as an organization” - Dennis Hugh Lalor, OJ

Our Founder

The Hon. Dennis Lalor, OJ

B

orn in 1934, the Hon.

DH, as he is affectionately referred

Lalor’s drive for success might

Dennis

Lalor,

to, says his working life began “in

in part be explained by a rather

OJ, a proud Kingston

a state of confusion”, but the life

traumatic situation when he was a

College alumnus is one

of hard work which he went on

youngster when, almost overnight,

of Jamaica’s most treasured sons;

to fashion for himself has been

his world, rooted in a fairly well-

a

characterized

to-do middle class family with its

businessman,

Hugh

philanthropist

by

decisiveness,

and polo aficionado whose efforts

foresight,

have made him a business icon in

thorough research, and scrupulous

changed as a result of a bitter,

Jamaica and the insurance industry.

management of time.

family-wrenching divorce.

planning

based

on

offerings

of

financial

certainty,

“Serving you...is all we do”

5

Up until that time, all was well in the

Kingston Public Hospital where he was forced to go

Lalor household which consisted of

because of a broken hand, convinced the young,

seven children – five girls and two

would-be Dr. Lalor that fate had made its ruling, and

boys. They occupied a lovely home

medicine was definitely not in the cards.

on Retirement Road which had a tennis court to the front and horses

His first job after leaving school was in the Government

to the back. At three, young Dennis

Service. Bored after three months, his friend Danny

started learning to ride and was

Williams, who wanted to sell him a bigger life insurance

expected by his mother to become

policy than his meagre government wages allowed, told

a doctor in the family as his older

him that Lister Mair, who was later to become Danny’s

brother Gerald, now Prof. Gerald

father-in-law, was looking for someone to work in his

Lalor at the University of the West

general insurance agency. Lalor took up the challenge,

Indies, opted to do Chemistry. He

and to this day has the first policy Danny sold him.

went to Suthermere Prep School where he met his lifelong friend,

Mair

R. Danvers “Danny” Williams, OJ,

potential and sponsored

CD. His choice of Kingston College

him

(KC) was influenced by the fact that

Associateship

his father played the organ at St.

Chartered

George’s Church on East Street.

Institute.

quickly to

saw

pursue of

his the the

Insurance In

1958,

he

became one of the first Having taken his exams at KC, his

two West Indians to earn

parents’ divorce and his father’s

the highly regarded ACII

ultimate remarriage put a stop to

qualification.

any thought of staying at school to complete sixth form. “At that stage

When his mentor Lister

my father decided that he was in

Mair died in 1963, with

love and he never needed to work

a loan from Barclay’s

again, and things just fell apart both

Bank, he took over the

psychologically and financially.”

Mair Agency. The first major development was

The absence of financial support

the

from the family, combined with

Insurance Company of

the negative reaction to the sight

the West Indies Limited

of blood in the casualty ward at

in 1968, the first fully

6

Celebrating 50 years of service

formation

of

the

Jamaican owned general insurance company. At that

region, for which he garnered

time someone from the largest general insurance

numerous awards and accolades.

company in the Caribbean told him that he could not compete with them and he would soon fail - ten

In 1994, Lalor was conferred with

years later he bought that company. After a series of

the Order of Jamaica, an honour

acquisitions, he established ICWI Group Ltd. in 1984.

bestowed upon Jamaican citizens of outstanding distinction. Other

His sense of public and social responsibility has

notable awards which he has

always been strong, and expressed itself through the

received over the years include:

formation of the ICWI Group Foundation which “seeks

•

Jamaica

Gleaner

Certificate

to foster the leadership capacity of young Jamaicans”,

of

and to contribute to communities in which the ICWI

Contribution

Group of Companies currently operates. The direction

Administration and Financial

of his philanthropy towards the field of education

Development (1979)

is in no respect more laudable and more innovative

•

Merit

Prime

for

Outstanding to

Minister’s

Sports

Medal

for

than in his chairmanship of the UWI Development and

Contribution to Business and

Endowment Fund (1988 - present). It is his view that

Sports (1983)

“If the University fails, the region fails. If the region

•

succeeds, it is because the University has succeeded”.

Thoroughbred

Breeders’

Regency Award for Service to the Horseracing Industry, and

Lalor has held various other service posts including:

induction into Jamaica’s Hall of

•

Chairman of the Lister Mair-Gilby School for the

Fame of Thoroughbred Racing

Deaf (1978-1982)

(1989)

• •

Deputy Chairman of the Jamaica Association for

The University of the West

Members of the Privy Council of Jamaica (1990 -

Indies (1993) •

Council of the University of the West Indies (19902015)

•

Honorary Doctor of Laws from

the Deaf (1978 - 1982) present) •

•

Gleaner

Special

Award

for

Public Service (1993) •

Vice-Chancellor’s

Award

for

Deputy Chair of the Audit Committee of the

Excellence from The University

University of the West Indies (1990 - present)

of the West Indies (2008) •

UWI Alumni Association Pelican

In 1993, in conjunction with the Caricom Heads of State,

Award for Contribution to the

he formed the US$50 million Caribbean Investment

Development of and Dedicated

Fund, designed to strengthen capital markets in the

Service to the University (2008) “Serving you...is all we do”

7

As president of the Private Sector

on Philanthropy & Civil Society (City University of New

Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ)

York).

from 1990 to 1992, Lalor led at a time when the organisation played

Lalor still finds time for his passions – he is a lover

a critical role in collaborating with

of horses and an accomplished polo player; in polo

the Government on its programme

circles, he is known as “El Heffe” or “The Honourable”,

to liberalise the country’s economy.

and currently serves as President of the Jamaica Polo

For his service to the organisation,

Association and Kingston Polo Club.

he was inducted into the PSOJ Hall of Fame in 2007.

As former Chairman of the Jamaica Racing Commission, he introduced a school for jockeys, and established

In 2007, Lalor was also recognized

minimum educational qualifications for all participants

by

Insurance

in horse racing. He also chaired the Betting, Gaming and

Society (IIS) for his distinguished

Lotteries Commission, where he introduced liquidity

service to the insurance industry

requirements for licensed bookmakers, strengthening

and was conferred with the title of

the industry’s capital base and protecting the betting

IIS Ambassador.

public and the Government’s revenues.

Lalor’s philanthropic reach stretches

In 2008, he was appointed to the Board of Air Jamaica

well beyond Jamaican shores – he

Limited and Chairman of the Privatisation Committee

has the distinction of being the

tasked with ensuring smooth divestment of the national

the

first

International

non-US

citizen

carrier. After the merger, he

elected to the board of

the

based

Council

Foundations profit

(a

Jamaica’s

on

making

of

Airlines. of

foundations

the

Chairman Casino

Gaming

Commission, and in 2014,

corporations),

to the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission and the Board

as Council Associate.

of Management of the GC

He is also a board

Foster College of Physical

member of the Centre Ladies Polo Tournament 1995

Celebrating 50 years of service

In 2010, he was

appointed

grant-

where he now serves

8

Representative

on the Board of Caribbean

non-

membership

association and

then served eight years as

Washington-

Education & Sports.

“The people who get on in this world are those who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them, they make them.”

- The Hon. Dennis Lalor

As Mr. Lalor has continued to live

capitalised on many opportunities,

a life of exemplary success in

allowing him to excel in all of the

business, philanthropy and sports,

areas he has been called to serve.

he was named the Who’s Who in Jamaica Business 2014-2015

Excerpts from:

Business Icon.

•

Who’s Who in Jamaica Business

Lalor once said, and has lived by

•

Chancellor, I Present…

the ethos “The people who get on

Outstanding Achievements &

in this world are the people who get

Excellence

up and look for the circumstances

•

Hon. Dennis Lalor – A Man

they want, and if they can’t find

With a Global Passion by Mark

them, they make them.”

Ricketts.

undoubtedly

recognised

He has and

“Serving you...is all we do”

9

HISTORY OF ICWI

1969-2019 The ICWI success story started

insurance entities failed to extend

with one man’s idea – albeit an

their skills, develop an expanded

idea which found common cause

domestic capital base and grasp the

in the hearts and minds of other

growing insurance opportunities,

Jamaican patriots, in the 1960s.

the outflow of premium income

The ambition which fuelled the

would increase. This would have a

Company’s establishment as well as

detrimental effect on the important

the business insight and dedication

early

which have powered it through 50

following national independence.

years

of

development

exciting years, are worthy of review.

An insightful Dennis Lalor was one

1953

In 1953, Dennis Lalor, determined

who questioned the state of affairs

to seek his fortune in the insurance

as most of the older insurance

industry, went to work for Lister Mair

agency heads were conservative.

(Insurance) Ltd, agent for British

Lalor, a strong minded personality

Insurer, The Contingency Insurance

with a willingness to take calculated

Co. Ltd. Within three years he

risk, set about building a strong

was appointed the Manager and

base in the insurance industry.

Director. Between the years 1958

1962

to 1963, the economy of Jamaica

The opportunity arrived to build

underwent major changes. Jamaica

this base when mentor Lister Mair

achieved independence in 1962

died in 1963, and Dennis Lalor

which resulted in increased growth

acquired the Agency’s business to

possibilities in the service sector

form Dennis Lalor (Insurance) Ltd.

and general insurance industry.

with a staff of four. The company

At this time, a large number of

increased its portfolio within two

general insurance entities were

years by writing business on behalf

operating in Jamaica, mainly as

of three more British insurers.

agencies for British Insurers. This meant that most of the premium

Lalor recognized that relatively swift

income paid in Jamaica was being

growth could be achieved through

remitted to overseas head offices.

buying the assets of marginal

It became evident that if local

companies. This knowledge and

10

Celebrating 50 years of service

1963

experience

influenced

many

Dennis Lalor (Insurance) Ltd, whose

business decisions later. His mind

name was changed to Dennis Lalor

was set on a course of action to

Holdings Ltd.

establish a successful insurance company whose focus, ownership,

The new company’s Directors were

technical analysis and decision-

young men who were actively

making capabilities would reside

earning their place in the business

largely in Jamaica. Throughout the

world - Robert Lake, an attorney

years, Dennis had various meetings

and entrepreneur was Chairman of

and

the Board, Danny Williams, Jim Lim

discussions

with

shareholders

and

he

more

gathered

potential

reinsurers

as

information.

and John Marzouca were drafted as

Directors

along

with

Cecil

Although the aim was to retain as

Burke, George Brooks and Dr. Ivor

much of the premium income within

Campbell.

Jamaica, he knew it was important

1969

to do so without compromising the security of policyholders.

1968

In 1968, Lalor had made up his mind that it was time to start the new company. And as a result with little money but a lot of confidence based on experience in the field, The Insurance Company of the West Indies Ltd. was registered in November 1968.

The ease with which the initial authorised

capital

was

raised

was a measure of the confidence Lalor enjoyed based on his early business record and his clear vision of what he wanted to achieve. His own majority shareholding in ICWI was financed from the value of

“Serving you...is all we do”

11

The official launching ceremony

Secretary, General Manager and

for The Insurance Company of

eventually Managing Director – the

the West Indies Ltd. took place

first Jamaican woman to reach this

at Mill Restaurant, Manor Park on

position in the general insurance

May 21, 1969, with guest speaker

industry.

Minister Robert Lightbourne (Trade &

Industry).

the

In an effort to build the Company’s net

Company’s advent as “a milestone

worth, Mr Lalor convinced his fellow

in

history,

shareholders to allow the Company

for the objective is not only to

to retain all profits for at least the

serve Jamaicans at home but also

first 10 years of operation – a period

abroad.”

which was subsequently extended.

Jamaican

He

described

insurance

This allowed all profits to be used to facilitate planned acquisitions in the coming years.

After 21 years, Dennis Lalor explained his reason for growth by acquisition: “Remember when Jamaica had nearly 80 general insurance companies operating,

the

competition

was

fierce. It seemed a logical way to go ICWI first office on Duke Street, Down Town.

for growth, rather than engage in rate

The first office of ICWI was at 51 Duke

cutting, we amassed enough surplus

Street in downtown Kingston with a

to acquire marginal operations.”

staff complement of 9. Dennis Lalor

1970

12

targeted increasing the Company’s

In 1975, after six year of consolidation,

gross annual premium to ten times

the now greatly enhanced ICWI

what was written it its first year of

moved from Duke Street to the then

operation by 1975.

newly completed ICWI Building in New Kingston.

In 1970, Conran Pyne joined as General Manager and Jennifer Cox

During the 1970s when Jamaica

as Underwriter. Cox grew from

began to suffer national economic

strength to strength as Company

setbacks,

Celebrating 50 years of service

political

and

social

1975

pressures causing

were

also

businesses

building to

fold,

ICWI had accumulated total assets of more than J$14 million, and

massive migration and a significant

the

capital flight. Despite all that was

premiums represented some 11.8%

happening in the country, Dennis

of

Lalor was determined that his

industry.

Company’s Jamaica’s

gross

general

annual insurance

commitment to Jamaica remained intact, and was the rationale for

In 1979, ICWI acquired controlling

staying the course. As such, he,

interest in MOM along with a regional

Jennifer Cox, Marion Excel, Pauline

presence as a result of MOM’s

Ward and Lucille Grange were

operations in the Bahamas. With

among those who remained and

the acquisition of MOM, ICWI also

threw their energies into building

acquired interest in non-insurance

the Company, taking advantage

companies, which was part of its

of the opportunities which always

diversification plan. The decision was

flourish side by side with great

taken to develop these independent

problems.

entities,

while

MOM’s

1979

general

insurance portfolio was incorporated Lalor later set his sights on two

into ICWI.

major insurance companies: The Insurance Company of Jamaica (ICJ)

ICWI’s next major objective was the

and Motor Owners Mutuals (MOM).

acquisition of Life of Jamaica. Dennis

In the late 1970s, both ICJ and MOM

Lalor was an original shareholder

had a significant percentage of their

from 1970, and became a member of

shares held overseas: 35% and 44%

the board in mid-1970 while steadily

respectively. With the Jamaican

acquiring additional shares.

dollar sliding, and unfavourable press

overseas,

the

foreign

shareholders were in the mood to cash in their investments. ICWI took this opportunity to acquire the overseas shareholding in ICJ and later, successfully made a public offering for the remainder. Thus, within 10 years of its establishment,

Danny Williams, Jim Lim, Lady Bustamante, Dennis Lalor, Eric Bell, Leslie Ashneim, Harry Milner & Robert Lightbourne.

“Serving you...is all we do”

13

1983

In 1983, ICWI Group was created

establishing a branch or companies

out of Dennis Lalor (Holdings) Ltd.

within these islands.

and it began to function actively as

1986

1987

the Corporate Head Office for all

These included:

companies within the Group.

1991

company in

agency

Cayman

was

In 1986, ICWI Investment Limited

converted to a full service branch.

was

formed

2007 - Acquired majority shares

with

Danny

after

discussions

Williams,

a

major

in Turks & Caicos First Insurance

shareholder in LOJ, and Mayer

Company Limited.

Matalon,

company,

Acquired majority shares in the

Commodity Trading Group, had

Cayman Insurance Centre Limited,

the largest single shareholding in

a leading insurance broker in the

LOJ. ICWI Investment subsequently

Cayman islands.

acquired the LOJ shareholdings of

Opened doors in St. Maarten

ICWI, Williams and Matalon, and the

2010 - ICWI officially opened its

stage was set for the takeover.

office in St. Kitts & Nevis through an

whose

Agency relationship.

In 1987 ICWI further expanded it

2012 - ICWI formed a partnership

financial

network

by

acquiring

with Alphonso Warner Insurance

shareholding

in

Crawfurd

Agency with an aim to gain access

Fletcher Insurance Brokers. Further

to the British Virgin Islands market.

strength was achieved in 1988 with

2013 - ICWI acquired Great Northern

the acquisition of The Insurance

Insurance

Brokers of Jamaica and a 90%

Trinidadian

share in Prudential Stockbrokers

company, which is now a subsidiary

Ltd, thereby becoming the first

of the ICWI Group of Companies

organization in Jamaica and the Caribbean to offer a complete range of financial services.

During the 1990’s to 2010, ICWI opened offices in other Caribbean island initially through the aid of 14

The

operations

97%

1990

-

agency

or

Celebrating 50 years of service

brokers,

before

Company general

Limited,

a

insurance

1991 2007

2010 2012 2013

Present

Current day: The ICWI Group includes the following operating subsidiaries Jamaica:

Turks and Caicos Islands:

•

•

The Insurance Company of the West Indies Limited »»

Fourteen Local Branches

Turks and Caicos First Insurance Company Limited

•

and Thirty-four Agents

Inter-Island Insurance Brokers Limited

The Cayman Islands:

St. Maarten:

•

•

•

The Insurance Company of the West Indies (Cayman) Limited

West Indies (St. Maarten) B.V.

The Cayman Insurance Centre

»»

Limited Bahamas: •

Three active agents

St. Kitts and Nevis: •

The Insurance Company of the

The Insurance Company of the

West Indies (Cayman) Limited

West Indies Limited - Bahamas

»»

Branch Trinidad and Tobago: •

The Insurance Company of the

The Insurance Company of the

Two active agents

British Virgin Islands: •

The Insurance Company of the West Indies (Cayman) Limited

West Indies Limited - Trinidad Branch •

Twelve branches and 8 agents

“Serving you...is all we do”

15

The Road Angel Policy Standing the Test of Time

P

icture this – Post

been given to the statistics

Independence

around

Jamaica - 1968, in the

in

driving

Jamaica.

records

It

became

height of entrepreneurship

obvious to Mr. Lalor, that

and

a

female motorists deserved

commerce

to be recognised. With

was dominated by England,

the introduction of the

one man’s dream of creating

Road Angel Policy, the

a wholly owned Jamaican

Company’s growth took off,

Insurance

came

beating all expectations.

true. ICWI was formed, and

That very same year, the

began operating one year

Road Angel Competition

later. Although in the local

was born. The competition

business

was run on the basis of a

opportunity,

country

idea

where

in

company

community

was

outrageous,

thought and

to

that

the be the

questionnaire

circulated

to all ICWI Road Angels;

Company would fail, 50 years

it

was

geared

towards

later ICWI is standing strong,

testing the knowledge of

not only in Jamaica, but the

the participants on the

wider Caribbean.

road code, car care, what to do in an emergency

Just two years later the Road

and motor insurance. The

Angel policy was launched.

winner would receive a

The brainchild of the Hon.

new car and one year’s

Dennis Lalor, this one of a kind

free

motor policy was introduced

competition

in 1970 to recognize the

for decades and became a

safety

conscious

large part of the company’s

driver.

Careful study had

16

female

history.

Celebrating 50 years of service

insurance.

The

progressed

Road Angel official launch 1971

Fast forward nearly five decades later where the Road Angel policy has become a household name and touted within the insurance industry as the first of its kind. Mimicked by many, but not quite the same, the Road Angel policy is now available in seven islands across the Caribbean where ICWI operates, and is still recognised as a pioneering policy way ahead of its time.

Road Angel 1976

Road Angel 1976 Feature

In 2018, in recognition of

the

Company’s

50th

Anniversary,

it

was

announced

in

furtherance commitment

to

its

toward

the fight against breast cancer, it would donate funds from every new Road

Angel

Policy

written for one year.

ICWI Road Angels and Breast Cancer Survivors celebrate the first donation of $678,000 on may 5th 2019.

“Serving you...is all we do”

17

The Brand Evolution

1968

1979

2001

2019

In today’s world the principles of

would be regional, to serve the

conceived with an eye focused on

developing a brand are as true as

people of the Caribbean with

‘regional’. Throughout the years,

they were over 50 years ago when

superb products and services

the logo of ICWI has progressed,

The Insurance Company of the

delivered

trained

but the regional look and feel has

West Indies Limited was formed.

insurance professionals. This is

remained a constant. This has

why the Company name “The

been done to ensure our target

business

Insurance Company of the West

client group could identify with

inception,

Indies” speaks to a regional focus.

a truly Caribbean Company, and

In

considering

strategy

the

before

by

well

identify with the message and

the Company name was given significant thought. Our Founder

In terms of identity, the brand

tagline - “Serving you is all we

and Chairman knew from the

mark or logo, as it is called was

do.’’

onset that his insurance company

18

Celebrating 50 years of service

ICWI’s Technology Progression Over the Past 50 Years

T

o say that information

Cash Register). At that time ICWI

technology

made

did not have an IT department, not

quantum leaps over the

even a computer. ICWI would send

past half of a century is

over insurance-related documents

a gross understatement. In fact, the

to NCR for processing. Data from

world as we know it today is vastly

these documents would be entered

different than that which existed

into NCR’s system and the relevant

fifty years ago. It’s like night versus

reports would be generated and

day. In today’s world, information

returned to ICWI. Punch cards, one

…. and lots of it …. is readily

medium through which data was

available at your fingertips. This

input to the computer, were the

makes doing business much more

rage at the time.

has

competitive and companies have to exhibit great agility to survive in this fast-paced environment. This fact makes it absolutely critical that companies embrace emerging technologies so that they can remain relevant. ICWI has more or less kept abreast with these technologies over its fifty years in business and as such has remained one of the leading insurance companies in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region.

It all started in the mid to

late

1970s

processing

of

when ICWI’s

batch business

would be outsourced to the data centre of a company called

NCR

(National “Serving you...is all we do”

19

Punch Card Punch Card Machine

ICWI eventually decided that it was time it started

the coding was done by HiTek

doing its own processing. In 1980, ICWI bought its first

and

computer from NCR for that purpose. It is said that the

collaboration resulted in the birth

first IT staff member, the late Errol Urquhart, “came

of the Integrated General Insurance

with the computer from NCR”. That was the genesis of

System

ICWI’s IT department. The department subsequently

INGRES relational database on a

grew along with the acquisition of additional NCR

UNIX operating system.

ICWI.

In

(IGIS),

June

1992,

running

on

the

an

machines for use by the various departments. A COBOL application (fondly called the “COBOL System”) was

IGIS started life on IBM’s 990 RISC

created by IT to process insurance and reinsurance

mainframe machine (the size of

transactions. The “COBOL System” ran on these NCR

a refrigerator) and employed the

machines for most of the 1980s.

use of what were called “dumb

In the early 1990s the ICWI IT department collaborated

NCR machines in ICWI’s Computer Room in the 1980s

with HiTek Software Engineers Limited, a software company in the ICWI Group, with the sole purpose

terminals”.

of building an insurance system. This new software

machines (comprising a monitor

necessitated the need for computers with more

and a keyboard) that were all

processing power. Hence, ICWI upgraded its computer

connected to the 990 mainframe

system from NCR machines to more powerful IBM

and

RS/6000 servers. The software’s design was done by

processing IGIS.

an external consultancy, Price Waterhouse, while

20

Celebrating 50 years of service

could

These

only

were

be

merely

used

for

The IBM mainframe underwent

using these Windows machines

started

several upgrades over the years,

(send/receive emails, process IGIS,

software in January 2012. With the

with

getting

desktop publishing, etc.), instead

advent of Underwriter also came

progressively smaller with improved

of just processing IGIS. Productivity

the need to focus more on client

processing power: from the 990 to

was significantly enhanced, to say

satisfaction. Subsequently, several

the F80 (the size of a night table),

the least.

Windows applications were created

its

physical

size

then to the P615 and finally the P52a (which was housed on a rack).

IBM 3151 Terminal

In the early 2000s ICWI embraced

using

the

Underwriter

to supplement Underwriter and to ICWI saw the need to enhance its

provide improved services to our

competitiveness in a very dynamic

clients. The main objective of these

business environment. Hence, over

applications is to allow for quicker

the ensuing years several attempts

and speedier processing time for

were made at upgrading the IGIS

our clients. Hence, kiosks have

system, as it had clearly become

been installed in several branches,

obsolete. An insurance package

local and overseas, and have been

was needed that would facilitate

warmly received by our clients.

improved communication with our

Our marketing agents have also

clients, more timely generation of

been outfitted with apps to assist

our financials, facilitate strategic

them in managing their portfolios

planning and which would keep us

more efficiently and effectively.

current technologically.

Our clients can now make premium

Windows and internet technology

payments

and the dumb terminals were finally

In 2011, ICWI bought a Windows-

replaced with Windows computers.

based

Staff was now able to multitask

insurance software package called

Jamaican-made

online

anytime,

anywhere, at their convenience.

general

Underwriter and commenced the arduous task of converting the data from IGIS. ICWI subsequently

IBM P615

IBM P52a

IBM F80

“Serving you...is all we do�

21

Communication via social media (Facebook,

Twitter,

webchat,

etc.) is one of the ways in which ICWI interacts with its clients.

SMS messaging and emails are also widely used as a means of connecting with active and prospective clients. The telephony infrastructure has also kept pace with

current

developments

as

ICWI has now embraced CICSO technology: a telephone line in St Maarten, or London, for example, is now a mere extension on our network. This has contributed to substantial cost savings to ICWI. In this very competitive business environment, ICWI has committed to

remain

customer-centric

by

ensuring that the client has an exceptional

experience.

This

is called “The ICWI Way”. In so doing, the company is relentlessly continuing its use of technology in a big way to stay true to its motto of “Serving you …. is all we do”.

22

Celebrating 50 years of service

In this very competitive business environment, ICWI has committed to remain customer-centric by ensuring that the client has an exceptional experience. This is called “The ICWI Way”.

Message from ICWI Alumni

Howard Hall Group Vice President and Executive Chairman Financial Services Business Unit, Massy Group

accident. I am personally indebted to Hon. Dennis Lalor for his belief in the continuous development of people. This philosophy permeates the organization and resulted in ICWI being fondly referred to as The Insurance College of the West Indies. It is no wonder that the ICWI Alumni continue to make substantial contributions to the brief

insurance

50th

and overseas, whilst the Company

Anniversary magazine is a privilege.

continues to grow from strength to

Being

asked

contribution

to to

make

a

ICWI’s

industry

in

Jamaica

strength throughout the Caribbean.

I consider myself one of the “ICWI babies” having spent much of my

The shared experiences with the

early career as a Manager within

members of the Executive Team,

the ICWI Group. I also have the

Board Members, the employees at

distinction of being included as a

ICWI, and members of the Alumni

member of the “returning residents”

have created lasting relationships

that is, persons who have left the

and a bond with the organization

organization and returned, having

that I will always treasure.

done so three times over the course I also wish Hon. Dennis Lalor a

of eighteen years.

Happy 85th Birthday. His vision, ICWI

significantly

impacted

my

leadership

and

courage

have

career. Each stint with the Company

impacted many lives and made this

provided

all possible.

exposure

to

new

opportunities and new challenges, that led to considerable personal growth experiences. This was not by

“Serving you...is all we do”

23

0 Plus YL 30 Plus Years

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Long Serving ICW

30 Plus Years

Ms. Barbara Mitchell

On July 1, 1982 Barbara Mitchell

started her first day with ICWI

as a Data Entry Clerk in the MIS Department. She had just

completed her fifth year in high school and was employed through

a work experience program. The company was so impressed with her performance that she was offered a full-time contract. Over the years, Barabra became qualified in insurance and filled various

Charmain Lalor (Left) & Barbara (Right) - 2018 Annual Awards

positions in Underwriting. Now a Supervisor in the Customer Service Department at Head Office, Barbara (aka “Barbs”) is revered by her staff as being a stern, but empathetic

in our clients’ minds and hearts”. She

What do you wish ICWI for

and encouraging team leader.

expressed appreciation for the guidance

its 50th year and beyond?

and support given to her by former

“I

Are you proud to be an ICWI

supervisors such as Lee Martin and Errol

continued success. I hope we

employee?

Carter, who fostered her development as

all continue to fly the ICWI

Barbara explained that she is proud

a leader. According to her, “it was always

flag high, continue to love our

to be an ICWI Pro because of the

good that the company included our

clients and staff, and to always

company’s integrity and its genuine

families in staff fun days, and the birthday

give help. ICWI is a household

concern for staff. “The company

cakes we get show that the company

name, and will always be a

has felt like a family,’’ she said,

really cares. I have never felt that my

household name once we

“despite comments from naysayers,

job is threatened, and I can always plan

work together to move this

the quality of the ICWI brand, our

financially to achieve my goals. ICWI is a

company forward.”

staff, and offices, as well as our

great company.”

commitment to service keeps us

24

Celebrating 50 years of service

wish

the

company

Years Long Se Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

30 Plus Years

WI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Mrs. Monica Ayres

Chairman Lalor(Left) & Monica (Right) - 2018 Annual Awards

Monica (Second from Left) 1988 Annual Awards

Monica Ayres joined the ICWI family

initial jitters, but shared that the nervousness was

in September 1982 as a Typist in

eventually replaced with a sense of “comfort”, due to

the

Today,

the welcoming atmosphere in the office. In her view,

as a Registry Clerk at the Head

the work environment is still relaxed today and she

Office, she is responsible for the

continues to feel “supported”, rather than pressured,

dispatching of policy documents to

which gives her the peace of mind to remain motivated

Brokers, as well as the assignment

to do her job. Monica cited a few other reasons for

of broker slips to internal Broker

remaining with ICWI for 36 years and counting as the

Marketing staff.

She is perceived

annual Christmas parties, staff awards, salary bonuses,

as being a reserved individual, who

and other staff recognition programs which show

is very meticulous and a reliable

the company’s appreciation for the contribution and

source of information.

dedication of its workers.

Why have you stayed employed

What do you wish ICWI for its 50th year and beyond?

to ICWI?

“I wish the company more success in its future

Broker

Monica

Department.

recalls

her

first

days

expansion and plans for growth. I hope the company

working with ICWI. Being new to

continues to get feedback from the staff before making

insurance, she remembers having

decisions concerning the way forward”.

“Serving you...is all we do”

25

30 Plus Years

Long Serving ICW

30 Plus Years

Long Serving ICW

erving ICWI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Ms. Nichola Findlay

start your journey in the working

individual you see in a company.

world”. She explained that financial

Listen, remain open-minded and

independence starts from day one

learn to think critically. Avoid being

on the job, and a new employee

misguided by negative views and

must have a plan for success

gossip.”

from the start. In her view, to do

Nichola - Cayman Branch (1991)

Nichola Findlay has been with ICWI for 35 successful years. She is the longest serving member of the Finance Department, and having mastered various areas such as payroll, reinsurance, investments, payables

and

presently

receivables,

holds

the

post

she of

Accounting Operations Manager.

Nichola

is

a

firm

believer

in

employee development and enjoys

well, the person must develop an

What do you wish ICWI for its

active interest in learning about

50th year and beyond?

the company, irrespective of their

“I wish that the legacy of the

position.

informed

company will remain. Irrespective

developments

of what critics may say, not many

industry

and

companies can successfully provide

business,

financial support and service to

Nichola believes that a new recruit

a society for 50 years. I encourage

“would be in a better position

the junior staff to build on the

to

different

company’s legacy so that their

opportunities that exist to grow and

future children will inherit ICWI as

explore the business at ICWI”. She

a leading insurance company in

further added that she would tell

Jamaica and the Caribbean.”

about in

the

By

the

staying

latest

insurance

understanding

make

the

use

of

the

the new staff, “Don’t discredit any

working with people. She also has a very good relationship with her staff.

If you were to mentor a new employee, what advice would you give them on their first day at ICWI? With a pleasant smile on her face, Nichola responded that she would tell a new hire at ICWI, “You

Nichola (Left) & Chairman Lalor (Right) - 2019 Annual Awards

Long Serving

have come to the right place to

ving ICWI Pro’s 26

Celebrating 50 years of service

Long Serving ICWI Pro

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

WI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

30 Plus Years

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

WI Pro’s

30 Plus Years

Ms. Joy-Marie Hussey

Chairman Lalor (Left) & Joy (Right) - 2017 Annual Awards

Joy (Left) & VP Samantha Samuda (Right) - 2019 Annual Awards

When ICWI merged with Motor Owners Mutual (MOM)

If you were to mentor a new

over 30 years ago, Joy-Marie Hussey started working as a

employee, what advice would you

Customer Service Representative, processing Property

give them on their first day at ICWI?

insurance at Head Office. Presently, she is a Motor

“My advice to a new employee would

and Property Supervisor in the Broker Underwriting

be to make use of the training and

Department, and is well-known for being very punctual

learning opportunities available.

and a jovial individual who is approachable and

ICWI is well-known for promoting

knowledgeable about insurance, thus making her a

educational development and our

first point of contact when her fellow employees have

employees are well sought after in

queries.

the job market”.

What are some of your fondest memories as an

What do you wish ICWI for its

employee at ICWI?

50th year and beyond?

Joy took a trip down memory lane, recalling the sense

“All the best in its growth, and for

of community among the employees which resulted in

it to remain the best insurance

the involvement of all branches in the various company

company

activities such as talent shows, fun days, craft shows,

Caribbean”.

in

Jamaica

and

the

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

sports days, Christmas parties and luncheons. g ICWI Pro’s

o’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

“Serving you...is all we do”

27

30 PlusL Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

30 Plus Years

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

30 Plus Years

Long Serving

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Mrs. Nortelle Thomas

Nortelle (Left) & Chairman Lalor (Right) - 2019 Annual Awards

“I love what I do, I like serving, and this is why I enjoy working at ICWI...”

- Nortelle Thomas

Nortelle Thomas joined the ICWI family as a result of the

continuously learn. ICWI has always

company’s merger with MOM in 1989, and was placed

been a household name - there are

in the position of Junior Clerk in the Underwriting

certain standards in the insurance

Department. Presently, she works as a Branch

industry that we are known for, and

Supervisor at the Lucea office. Those who work closely

as employees we wear our uniform

with her described Nortelle as being loving, jovial, and

proudly.”

keen on promoting teamwork. She often treats her staff and is considered to be a calm individual, who is very

What do you wish ICWI for its

knowledgeable and also has a charm when dealing

50th year and beyond?

with difficult clients.

“I wish ICWI continued growth and success”.

Why have you stayed employed to ICWI? When speaking about her job, Nortelle stated, “I love what I do, I like serving, and this is why I enjoy working at ICWI. At its core, ICWI has always been about providing an exceptional customer experience.

Long Serving IC

There has also been room for growth and the ability to

ving ICWI Pro’s 28

Celebrating 50 years of service

30 Plus Years

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

s Years Long Se 30 Plus Years

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

ICWI Pro’s

30 Plus Years

Mrs. Dawn Raynor-Walker

What makes you proud of ICWI?

do, be kind to your customers and

“I am proud because ICWI has

show empathy. Also, avoid taking

spent a lot on my professional and

criticism personally because it can

personal development, as well as

lead you to make wrong decisions

that of other staff. The Company

and act incorrectly. ICWI is a

has

to

service-driven company, so live by

improve our work processes, and it

the motto - Serving you is all we

is dedicated to serving our clients

do.”

embraced

technology

and society. Over the years, it has

Dawn - Mandeville

Dawn Walker is the Assistant Branch Manager at the Mandeville Branch.

She joined ICWI after its merger with MOM in 1989, and through its support she became an Associate of

the

Chartered

Insurance

Institute (ACII). Despite the daily

also managed to expand into many

What do you wish ICWI for its

other Caribbean countries where it

50th year and beyond?

is performing successfully.”

“I wish that we continue doing our best to serve our clients, remain

If you were to mentor a new

profitable, and give back to society,

employee, what advice would you

as we strive to achieve our Mission

give them on their first day at ICWI?

to be the leading general insurance

“I would tell the new ICWI employee

company

the same thing that I usually say to

Caribbean.”

in

Jamaica

and

the

my staff now. Try to love what you

job challenges, Dawn enjoys her work and is proud to be an ICWI employee. She expressed gratitude for the Company’s commitment to

academic

excellence,

and

highlighted that her own children have benefitted over the years through the ICWI Staff Education Fund, by receiving the Jennifer

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Cox Scholarship for their high achievements.

CWI Pro’s Dawn (Left) & Chairman Lalor (Right) - 2019 Annual Awards

30 Plus Years

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

“Serving you...is all we do”

29

Long Se Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

30 Plus Y

30 Plus Years

30 Plu

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Ms. Ivy Grizzle

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

If you were to mentor a new employee, what advice would

you give them on their first day at ICWI? “I

would

tell

new

employees

to always be honest with the

customers, because clients love honesty.

They

should

remain

trustworthy and always give their best to succeed at ICWI.” What do you wish ICWI for its 50th year and Beyond?

“I wish ICWI all the best! I hope that the company continues to remain at the top in Jamaica and the Caribbean”.

Ivy (Third from Left) - Staff event ICWI Mobay

Ivy Grizzle came to ICWI straight out of the classroom. After graduating from the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College, on May 6, 1986 she accepted the offer to work as a Customer Service Representative in the Underwriting Department at the Montego Bay Branch. The company sponsored her studies in insurance, and as a result she was later promoted to Branch Supervisor at the Montego Bay office. Ivy attributes her success to hard work and the support she received from supervisors and managers like Mrs. Marks, who pushed her and other employees to learn.

What is your fondest Memory at ICWI? In a spirited voice, Ivy reminisced on the lovely staff luncheons held in Kingston at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, where employees from all branches would meet to party. After the party, they would stay overnight, then have breakfast together the next morning.

30

Celebrating 50 years of service

Ivy (First from Right at back) & Staff - Sav- Branch

Long Serving ICWI Pro

erving I

Years

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

us Years

30 Plus Years

Mr. Chopie Brown

“once you

are honest

and commit yourself by working

hard you will succeed at ICWI..”

- Chopie Brown

Chopie Brown has approximately

If you were to mentor a new

including Chairman Lalor invest in

49 years of driving experience, and

employee, what advice would

the staff and encourage us to learn

for 40 of those years he has been a

you give them on their first day

and aim high.”

Driver at ICWI. When describing how

at ICWI?

he feels about his job, he stated

Chopie admitted that everyday

What do you wish ICWI for its

that it has been very rewarding,

brings new challenges. With that in

50th year and beyond?

and on a daily basis he takes great

mind, he relayed that he would tell a

“I wish ICWI continued success, and

satisfaction showing up and doing

new employee “once you are honest

I look forward to its opening of new

his job well. He is reliable, punctual,

and commit yourself by working

branches locally and overseas.”

and boasts a sunny disposition

hard you will succeed at ICWI.” A

which tends to rub off on those

part of the Company’s culture is

around him.

“continued growth”, and “managers

o’s

Long Serving ICWI Pr

“Serving you...is all we do”

30 Plus Years

31

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

30 Plus Years

30 Plus Years

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

30 Plus Years

Serving ICWI Pro’s

Long Serving ICWI Pro’s

Mrs. Moreen Marks Marks is a devout Christian, who

success, and as a result, she would

is passionate about family and

encourage a new hire to do the

career. She often wears the cap of

same. She emphasized that it is also

‘educator’, and though perceived

very important for the individual to

to be the disciplinarian in the

be able to work with people.

Company, she is also known to be What do you wish ICWI for its

kind and motherly.

50th year and beyond?

In

your

view,

management

how

changed

has during

“I

wish

the

prosperous

Company and

remains maintains

your tenure at ICWI?

excellence in customer service. We

“The general management style of

are highly technologically-driven,

the Company is now less formal

so I believe this will benefit the

than in the past’’ said Mrs. Marks.

Company and in turn our staff.”

She

explained

that

when

she

joined ICWI, Managers were seen as individuals far removed from the staff, but in order to be effective Supervisors and Managers today, they need to be more involved and

Mrs. Marks (Right) (1985)

find interactive ways to engage As Vice President of Insurance

all workers. The Company’s open

Operations,

has

door culture and less formal way

oversight of all insurance related

of communication, among other

matters for the ICWI Group. She

things, has promoted this change

began her career with the Company

in style.

Moreen

Marks

as a Management Trainee in 1981, and because of her hard work, and

If you were to mentor a new

keen technical expertise, she holds

employee, what advice would you

an exemplary reputation in the

give them on their first day at ICWI?

general insurance and reinsurance

Mrs.

markets, both locally and overseas.

open minded, ready to learn, and

Decisive

willing to work hard has lead to her

32

and

inspiring,

Mrs.

Celebrating 50 years of service

Marks

shared

that

being

Chairman Lalor (Left) & Mrs. Marks (Right) - 2018 Annual Awards

Message from ICWI Alumni

Christian Watt General Manager - Marketing and Production IronRock Insurance Company Limited

“...it was an experience filled with loads of fun, a myriad of different challenges, and lots of learning.”

- Christian Watt

I spent just shy of 6 years of my

was that they treated me like family.

career at The Insurance Company

ICWI provided me with countless

of the West Indies, and it was an

development

and

training

experience filled with loads of fun, a

opportunities,

and

ultimately

myriad of different challenges, and

equipped me with the skills to meet

lots of learning. LOTS OF LEARNING!

any challenge head-on. .

I joined the ICWI family in May 2011

I will be forever grateful to the

in the Broker Marketing Department

Lalors and the entire ICWI family for

and within my first week I knew I

the experience and development

made a great decision. ICWI has

I gained during my time with the

been able to successfully manage

Company.

the

.

structure

and

organization

of a multinational Company, but

Happy 50th, ICWI. I wish for you

maintain the feel and atmosphere

another

of a family business. I guess that’s

prosperity and good fortune!

50

years

of

success,

because, at its heart, ICWI is still a family business and my experience

“Serving you...is all we do”

33

ICWI Group Foundation “Meeting 21st Century Leadership Challenges”

T

he official launch of the

the

ICWI Group Foundation

volunteerism among staff within

took place in November

the Group.

youth,

and

to

encourage

1988 at King’s House. It

was formed as a private, non-profit

With these objectives in mind, the

organization with both a grant-

ICWI Group Foundation established

making and operating programme,

the Science Learning Centre on the

and was funded by companies

Mona Campus of UWI in 1989, with

within the ICWI Group which seeded

a discovery room, exhibit gallery

the Foundation with $1.7 million to

and a computer room. Some very

start the programmes.

successful programmes were the GSAT

Science

and

Math

Club,

The Foundation aimed to develop

Drama in Science, SMILE – Science

the leadership capacity of young

Matters in Life Everyday, and MIME

Jamaicans for the advancement of

– Man’s Impact on the Marine

the economic and social well-being

Environment. Working very closely

of the Country.

The ICWI Group

with the Ministry of Education in the

believes that human beings are a

development of the current Primary

country’s most valuable resource,

Science Curriculum, it was the first

and the Foundation is therefore

to introduce Environmental Science

dedicated to the development of

at the primary level through its

that resource.

Environmental Action Now and MIME

Programmes.

Leadership development through

After twelve years of

education and technology, with

successful operation, it

a special emphasis on science,

was gifted to the Mico

was the main objective of the

University College.

Foundation. The goal was to help enhance the overall development

In 1989, Wizzie the Wise

of communities through a carefully

Old Owl took flight.

planned contributions programme,

creation

which would place special emphasis

Group

on leadership development among

Team, Wizzie was used

34

Celebrating 50 years of service

of

the

A

ICWI

Foundation

to teach primary school children

The

ICWI

Group

across Jamaica about Road Safety.

Foundation continues to

ICWI took very seriously its role

be the charitable arm of

in early childhood education, by

the Company that works

supporting a School Safety Week

to administer, develop

for high schools through the 1990s,

and manage the Group’s

and to this day, still supports

social

the National Road Safety Unit of

not

the Ministry of Transportation in

but

Jamaica.

region. The Foundation

responsibility

only

in

Jamaica

throughout

the

provides an organized approach “giving”

to

ICWI’s

which

currently

is

focused

on early childhood education, development, supporting affected

youth and women

by

breast

cancer.

Other Significant Programmes of ICWI Group Foundation Staff Education Fund “In Pursuit Of Excellence” The ICWI Staff Education Fund was launched in January 1991 by the ICWI Group of Companies as part of an on-going effort to expand the range of benefits available to employees of member companies. The Fund provides support for children of permanent employees who have demonstrated excellence through academic achievement. The awards are given annually, and since inception, an average of fifteen awards are given each year.

“Serving you...is all we do”

35

Lighthouse Basic School In August 2012, ICWI Group Foundation adopted the Lighthouse Basic School. Continuing its mission to play a part in the community in which it operates, the Company took steps to not only adopt the school that was on the verge of being closed by the Ministry of Education, but decided to

demolish the existing structure and completely rebuild a new school for the children.

The

Foundation

continues

its

support of the children by providing a hot lunch each day for them, as well as hosting Christmas treats each year.

Brown’s Town Essay Competition Early

in

2016,

Brown’s

Town

senior members of the ICWI team.

branch staff, led by their Manager

Scholarships for the CSEC exams

Sandra Touzalin-Butler, decided to

are granted to the 1st , 2nd and

introduce an Essay Competition for

3rd place winners from each of the

the high schools in Brown’s Town

participating schools, with each

to promote reading, writing and

student receiving a scholarship for

creative thinking.

6 subjects, 4 subjects and 3 subjects respectively.

The

competition

requires

participating students to write an essay about a specific topic that is chosen by ICWI, and judged by

36

Celebrating 50 years of service

ICWI Takes a stand against Breast Cancer regionally

“...the funds raised at these past events have First ICWI Pink Run

Since 2015, ICWI has been deeply involved in the fight

been critical to saving the lives of so many.”

against breast cancer, becoming the title sponsor of

- Paul Lalor

the ICWI Pink Run in Jamaica, and the Essence of Hope Breast Cancer Walk in St. Kitts & Nevis. Both events have grown significantly over the years, and have become one of the leading running events in each island.

Funds that have been raised through these events are donated the Jamaica Cancer Society and the Essence of Hope Foundation to assist women diagnosed with

breast cancer receive the treatment they need in order to survive.

Paul Lalor has been a champion for the cause, and has stated that “the funds raised at these past

events

have

been

critical to saving the lives of so many.” He also noted that a large percentage of the Company’s staff members are women; “We are well aware that a startling 1 in 21 women in Jamaica is

affected

by

breast

cancer, therefore, it was important that we show our support in a big way.”

Our largest donation of $5.4 Million

“Serving you...is all we do”

37

Message from ICWI Alumni

Grace Burnett CEO, Group Insurance Segment, GKFG & Managing Director, GKIC

being challenged with exciting multi-

significant achievement in my life, I

dimensional assignments that truly

can still expect a handwritten note.

stretched me. I am also convinced that having women as my first two

A truly selfless leader who perfected

heads of companies, removed any

the art of growing people. Amazingly,

angst I could have had about how

my story is not unique. I congratulate

far I could go in my career, and any

ICWI as they celebrate 50 years of

perception of gender limitation. To

success and even more importantly,

cap it all, there was Dennis Lalor,

50 years of impacting lives positively.

an amazing leader, who unfazed by I attribute much of the successes in

my relative inexperience, pushed

my life to the wonderful foundation

me beyond what I thought I was

I received at ICWI. I joined the ICWI

capable of. He remains a mentor and

Group straight out of Law school and

one of those persons who has never

in a very short time found myself

stopped cheering me on, for every

ICWI Foundation

Jeanne Robinson

J

She shared her considerable talents and

eanne Robinson, affectionately

referred

enormous energy, not only at the ICWI

was

Group, but in the ranks of all those she

Executive Director of the

motivated, mentored and inspired. She

ICWI Group Foundation for over

had a passion for helping young people

thirty years. She was an invaluable

achieve their potential which molded the

contributor to the creation and

culture within the Company that exists to

continued success of the ICWI

this day. Generations of staff at ICWI are

Group Foundation. Her education,

in her debt.

to

as

Mrs.

Rob,

international experience and selfreliance served her in good stead.

38

Celebrating 50 years of service

Jeanne passed away on February 9, 2017.

Keeping our Promise

I

nsurance, in its simplest sense, is a promise made by an insurance company to an insured to pay a specific sum of money if a particular event occurs, in exchange for a small premium. Therefore, when selecting an insurance company, you want to be sure that the

company you choose will be able to keep that promise, and weather any storm with you – so to speak.

In ICWI’s fifty years, it has weathered many a literal storm, and is still standing strong. In the past thirty years alone, ICWI has paid over US$154 million in hurricane claims as a result of twenty one named storms in seven islands.

1988

1999

2008

2001

2008

2002

2008

2004

2010

2004

2010

2004

2011

2005

2012

2005

2014

2007

2016

2017

2017

Hurricane Gilbert, which tore through Jamaica from its eastern tip to its western end in September 1988, is considered by many Jamaicans to be the most catastrophic event in recent times to affect the island. It caused billions of dollars in damage and was ICWI’s first real test from a major storm. ICWI staff from all departments, despite having their own losses to deal with, showed up to work and began taking customers’ claims as soon “Serving you...is all we do”

39

ICWI Staff taking customer claims in the lobby of the ICWI Building as their offices were destroyed during Hurricane Gilbert.

The first Hurricane Gilbert claim payment being made on September 23, 1988.

The damage sustained by the ICWI Building during Hurricane Gilbert in 1988.

as the storm passed. All of ICWI’s Hurricane Gilbert

Most recently in September 2017, Hurricane Irma,

claims were eventually settled for US$43.4 million.

another massive and record setting storm, impacted ICWI clients in St. Maarten, St. Kitts, the British Virgin

Hurricane Ivan, a record setting storm in many ways,

Islands, Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas.

While

was the costliest storm that ICWI has faced to date. In

many people and businesses in these countries are

September 2004, with the eye of the storm passing just

still working towards a full recovery from this storm,

south of Jamaica, Ivan caused US$3 million in damage

ICWI customers in all four countries have been paid,

to 580 of ICWI’s clients on the island. In Cayman, with

receiving a total of US$36.7 million to get them back

over 860 claims totalling US$50 million, ICWI was one

on their feet.

of the few insurance companies that did not have to recapitalise following Ivan, due to the very robust reinsurance programme that it had in place.

Damages from Hurricane Irma

Fifty years ago, ICWI made a promise to its customers - “Serving you is all we do.” The service that ICWI has provided to its customers following these storms, and during their more routine interactions, is a testament to how deeply engrained this motto is within the culture of ICWI. So, here’s to ICWI continuing to keep Hurricane Ivan

40

Celebrating 50 years of service

this promise for another fifty years and beyond!

5O Anniversary Celebrations th

Church Service Fifty

years

and

sustainability

achievement.

of

service, It

is was

success no

easy

therefore

with much pride and gratitude that members of the company’s executive,

staff

and

family

members, specially invited guests and well-wishers gathered at the UWI Chapel for the Company’s 50th Anniversary service of thanksgiving on Saturday, May 11.

Musical items were impressively and professionally performed by our own ICWI Chorale, as well as the renowned Kingston College Chapel Choir.

“Serving you...is all we do”

41

50th Anniversary church service choir

President Paul Lalor in his message expressed gratitude to the quality of the ICWI Team that the Company has been able to recruit and retain over the years, “The loyalty of our team and the ease of our transition through the generations has allowed us to develop and sustain a close knit culture of excellence we all fondly call The ICWI Way.”

The Right Reverend Dr. Robert Thompson delivered the homily which encouraged all present to be grateful for what they have and have accomplished over the years.

42

Celebrating 50 years of service

“The loyalty of our team and the ease of our transition through the generations has allowed us to develop and sustain a close knit culture of excellence we all fondly call The ICWI Way.” - Paul Lalor

Long Service Awards

“ Sir, words cannot express our gratitude to you for making your dream our reality.�

- Dawn Walker

43

Michelle Brown wins Most Improved Agent of the Year 2018

ICWI’s 50th Long Service Awards ceremony was held

and expressed her gratitude to the

on April 10, 2019 at the Alhambra Inn Restaurant. The

founder of ICWI the Hon Dennis

event took the form of a luncheon where thirty-five (35)

Lalor. “ Sir, words cannot express

staff members were recognized for service ranging from

our gratitude to you for making

5 to 35 years.

your dream our reality.”

The

atmosphere

was

filled with cheer and much laughter as the anecdotal

profiles

of

the awardees were read by

Alrea

Washington

in her usual inimitable style.

Dawn

Walker

Mandeville

of

the

Branch

delivered a passionate vote of thanks on behalf of her fellow awardees,

44

Celebrating 50 years of service

Odette Moonah wins Agent of the Year 2018

50th Anniversary Celebration ICWI officially celebrated its 50th Anniversary on June 15, 2019 at Devon House, East Lawns, Kingston Jamaica.

The blue carpet soiree

hosted over 500 guests - business leaders, members of government, numerous ICWI Pros’ from every region

in

which

the

company

operates along with friends and well wishers.

DJ Kurt Riley provided the tunes, in between performances by

Trinidadian

electric

violinist

Shiva Chaitoo and, and guest

the

surprise

artist,

reggae

sensation Taurus Riley who had the crowd on their feet.

“Serving you...is all we do”

45

2 St. Lucia Avenue Kingston 5 Jamaica W.I. Tel: (876) 926-9040-7 Fax: (876) 960-6918 direct@icwi.com www.icwi.com

“Serving you...is all we do”

@icwi_jamaica