A VERY cool way to raise money

There probably isn’t a broker out there who hasn’t been given the cold shoulder by a client – but would they agree to plunge into icy Lake Ontario to raise money for WWF-Canada?

Risk Management News

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There probably isn’t a broker out there who hasn’t been given the cold shoulder by a client – but would they agree to plunge into icy Lake Ontario to raise money for WWF-Canada?

“It’s my first time doing this. I’m originally from Scotland and don’t know if I fully understood the implications of ‘a polar bear dip’ in Canada when I was first approached to participate,” says Martin Thompson, senior vice president of global specialty lines with RSA Insurance, who is taking the plunge today. “In 2013 I also ran the London Marathon for WWF and raised $4500. I’m a big supporter of what they do.”

RSA has had a strategic partnership with WWF-Canada for many years now, Thompson told Insurance Business, and have partnered together on a number of research projects.

“We felt this would be a unique way to support their Arctic conservation efforts,” he says. “In addition to that though, this is also about bringing awareness to the issue of climate change and the grave impact it’s having on the Arctic and the species that live there.”

So far Thompson and his five colleagues – Mark Edgar, Scott Tabachnick, Ben Buckton, Ewen Cameron and Akhilesh Chandy – have raised $7,000. All donations for WWF’s National Polar Bear Week (which the dip is a part of) will be matched by Coca Cola so essentially we will have raised $14,000. (continued.)
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Thompson says that as insurers, RSA are acutely aware of the impact of severe weather on its business and the industry as a whole.

“The Arctic has also been a special focus area for the work we have done with WWF. In the fall of 2013 we completed a research and GIS mapping project around sustainable shipping in the Arctic,” he says. “We were able to use the research and maps to share valuable advice with our U.K. marine business ahead of their decision to underwrite the first bulk carrier to traverse the Northwest Passage. This information provided insight into the biologically and ecologically sensitive areas along the route and information to mitigate risks.”

Thompson adds that those maps will continue to be a valuable tool for marine underwriters going forward.

Just as important though, is the corporate responsibility to the communities that brokers and insurers work in – showing that they care about the same things that their clients do.

“I think we all have a responsibility, as good corporate citizens, to give back to our communities where we work and live,” says Thompson. “But I also think it’s important to ensure that the causes we support align with our overall brand and make sense strategically. WWF is a logical partner for RSA. After the year our industry just faced – $3.2 billion in insured losses due to weather – it’s clear climate change is a significant problem that is going to require action at every level.”

 

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