Five Minutes With… Xavier Marguinaud, Marsh

Xavier Marguinaud, senior risk advisor – financial lines at Marsh, talks about international partnerships, his transfer from France to NZ and why his curiosity paid off.

Insurance News

By Maryvonne Gray

Why did you get into insurance?

By curiosity I guess. Working in the risk department of an international company I had been attracted by the technical nature of financial lines. Insurance is a tool for risk managers and I wanted to deepen my skills and understanding.
 
How would you sum up insurance brokers in three words? 
 
Anticipate, Advise, Support.

How would you change the industry? 
 
Develop the recognition around the services we deliver to clients - as the value is unfortunately often underestimated. Brokers and insurers are responsible for this and we have to focus on it if we want to develop our industry.  There will always be someone who says they can do it cheaper but at what cost…
 
What’s the most important thing a broker can do to develop their business?
 
Be proactive and try to anticipate the risks the client has to face.
 
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

“Use your common sense” and also to “turn technical knowledge into a more understandable concept”.
 
If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?

In France, I would reform the healthcare system and bring in more competitors in order to stimulate the creativity of the local market.
 
In New Zealand I would work to develop international partnerships to help sustain the economy.
 
What has been the highlight of your career?

I am very proud and happy with my transfer to New Zealand. It is a great opportunity to discover a new culture and work with very nice people.
 
What’s your favoured style of coffee?

I do not drink coffee as I have got already too much energy for one day!
 
Union, league, soccer or other?

I have been playing basketball for the last 23 years. I also play soccer from time to time.
 
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?

Marco Polo for him to tell us about his incredible travels and discoveries.
Michael Jordan in order to understand what excellence and determination mean and involve.
Natalie Portman just to tell her how incredible she is. :)
 
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in insurance, I would be…
 
A food critic or cook!

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