Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Timeline
Regulatory Examination
Achievements
Regulatory Examination
Achievements
Generic
Brian Africa

Brian Africa

Johannesburg

Summary

Adaptable Business Manager successful at overseeing all aspects of business operation. Goal-driven leader, change manager and strategic problem solver. Knowledgeable about human resources, financial administration and inventory management.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Surety Agent

Africa Guarantee Consultants
Johannesburg
09.2016 - Current
  • Prepared and issued surety bonds for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in compliance with company policies and procedures.
  • Analyzed financial statements of potential clients to assess their creditworthiness and determine bond eligibility.
  • Developed relationships with clients to ensure repeat business through excellent customer service.
  • Negotiated terms of contracts between the principal and obligee.
  • Reviewed contract documents including bid bonds, performance bonds, payment bonds, maintenance bonds.
  • Ensured all contractual requirements were met prior to issuing a bond.
  • Assisted underwriters in determining appropriate risk levels for each client based on experience, financial strength, liquidity ratios, working capital ratios.
  • Provided guidance to principals regarding bonding process and best practices for obtaining a bond.
  • Maintained accurate records of all transactions including bond applications, underwriting notes, contracts and other related documents.
  • Researched legal precedents relating to surety law as needed.
  • Monitored the status of outstanding bonds throughout the life cycle of each project.
  • Responded promptly to claims made against any issued bond by providing counsel or arranging settlement negotiations between parties involved if necessary.
  • Investigated non-performance issues that may lead to a claim on an issued bond.
  • Collaborated with internal departments such as accounting, operations and legal when needed for resolution of disputes or claims matters.
  • Participated in industry conferences and seminars in order to stay abreast of new developments within the surety field.
  • Worked closely with insurance companies, underwriters in order to obtain competitive rates for clients while ensuring proper coverage is provided according to state laws, regulations.
  • Advised clients on how best to manage risk associated with their projects in order to reduce chances of defaulting on payments or breaching contract obligations.
  • Interpreted state statutes and regulations pertaining to surety law in order provide advice or direction when needed.
  • Evaluated contractor's license information before issuing a bond.
  • Performed periodic reviews of existing accounts in order maintain accuracy of data on file.
  • Facilitated communication between various stakeholders involved in a project such as owners and developers, contractors and subcontractors.
  • Explained coverage options to potential policyholders, answering questions or concerns.
  • Monitored clients' insurance coverages to ensure changing needs were met.
  • Calculated premiums and established payment methods, receiving customer payments and issuing receipts.
  • Developed appropriate quotes based on risk information.
  • Counseled prospects and policyholders on coverage, limits and regulations.
  • Sought out new clients and developed clientele by networking to find new customers.
  • Remained current on latest industry trends by gaining comprehensive knowledge of financial and insurance products, services and best practices.
  • Achieved repeat business and referrals through personalized services.
  • Contacted underwriters and submitted forms to obtain binder coverage.
  • Interviewed prospective clients to obtain data about financial resources and needs.
  • Conducted in-home and group presentations to provide detailed explanations of policy guidelines and benefits to clients and families.
  • Met with division leaders and consultants to discuss strategies to increase sales.
  • Developed coordinated protection plans by calculating and quoting rates for immediate coverage action and long-term strategy implementation.
  • Used mailings and phone solicitation and made presentations to groups at company-sponsored gatherings to gain new clientele.
  • Strengthened traceability by developing organization systems for keeping records, reports and agendas.
  • Improved data collection accuracy by structuring systems for desktop spreadsheets.
  • Facilitated continuing service by processing changes in beneficiaries and analyzing policy loan applications.
  • Strategized long-term business objectives by assessing customer feedback for direction on process improvements.
  • Greatly improved office operations by reducing backtracking of work through creation of material movement process.
  • Leveraged industry trends to shape solutions and approaches.

Credit Underwriter

pcbs
01.2005 - 01.2011
  • Analyzed financial statements and credit reports to assess the creditworthiness of borrowers.
  • Evaluated potential collateral to determine its acceptability and value.
  • Determined appropriate risk rating based on analysis of borrower's financial profile.
  • Conducted detailed investigations into customer background, assets, liabilities, and other related matters.
  • Monitored portfolio performance by analyzing delinquency trends, loss severity levels.
  • Reviewed periodic updates from clients regarding their financial status and condition.
  • Maintained accurate records of all underwriting activities within designated systems.
  • Participated in training sessions designed to enhance knowledge base around underwriting practices.
  • Built and strengthened client relationships to form long-lasting, profitable bonds.
  • Analyzed financial information including income, assets, liabilities and credit history of applicants.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, regulations and compliance requirements.
  • Provided guidance on underwriting procedures to junior staff members.
  • Analyzed risk and adhered to underwriting standards to drive risk selection and profitability.
  • Gathered and analyzed information to determine risk acceptability.
  • Inspected financial statements, credit information and title data to complete underwriting process.
  • Utilized diverse data tools and processes to analyze, interpret and manage data.
  • Followed underwriting guidelines in developing rates for new and renewal groups.
  • Conducted comprehensive analysis and evaluated risk to control underwriting loss.
  • Underwrote renewals by reviewing premium history, claims history and company financial condition to determine action.
  • Utilized underwriter authority to correspond with corporate risk appetite and strategy.
  • Underwrote, managed and serviced profitable book of business.
  • Developed underwriting strategies for complex cases, including reinsurance placements.
  • Provided technical advice to brokers on coverages, pricing and policy forms.
  • Prepared reports summarizing portfolio performance for senior management review.
  • Maintained relationships with key external contacts such as brokers, agents, reinsurers and other business partners.
  • Implemented underwriting decisions within established guidelines while minimizing risk exposure.
  • Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations and company policies.
  • Attended professional conferences to stay abreast of changing industry trends.
  • Provided training sessions for junior staff members on underwriting principles.
  • Managed wide range of internal and external underwriting questions as resident subject matter expert.
  • Developed detailed reports on key performance indicators related to reinsurance operations.
  • Provided guidance on regulatory compliance issues related to reinsurance treaties.

Business Development Specialist

PCBS
  • Developed and implemented business development strategies to increase market share.
  • Maintained an up-to-date knowledge of current industry trends in order to develop innovative approaches for growth.
  • Assisted in developing strategic alliances with external organizations to build brand awareness.
  • Represented the organization at various conferences or exhibitions to promote products and services.
  • Researched potential business opportunities in new and existing markets.
  • Trained and managed team of [Number] employees.
  • Effectively built relationships with both established and potential customers.
  • Established strong client relationships to drive business development.
  • Acted as main point of contact in matters relating to client concerns and needs.

Skills

  • Client Prospecting
  • Risk Mitigation
  • Loss Coverage Determination
  • Clientele Development
  • Financial Due Diligence
  • Client Consultations
  • Client Relations
  • Critical Thinking
  • Verbal and Written Communication
  • Credit History Analysis
  • Form Completion and Submission
  • Insurance Program Analysis
  • Marketing
  • Market Research
  • Project Management
  • Business Development
  • Partnership Management
  • Excellent Communicator
  • Relationship Building and Management
  • Relationship Building and Rapport
  • Stakeholder Communication
  • Strategic Planning
  • New Business Development
  • Strategic Partnerships
  • Legal Implications Knowledge
  • Decision-Making
  • Proficient in [Software]
  • Relationship Building
  • Fluent in [Language]
  • Analytical Problem Solver
  • Market Trend Analysis

Timeline

Surety Agent

Africa Guarantee Consultants
09.2016 - Current

Credit Underwriter

pcbs
01.2005 - 01.2011

Business Development Specialist

PCBS

Regulatory Examination

  • RE 1 : Key Individual - 0ctober 2016
  • RE 5 : Representative - May 2011
  • DOFA : 2006

Achievements

  • keynote speaker - construction project risk management
  • Panelist - infrastructure Africa
  • Panelist - infrastructure Africa

Regulatory Examination

  • RE 1 : Key Individual - 0ctober 2016
  • RE 5 : Representative - May 2011
  • DOFA : 2006

Achievements

  • keynote speaker - construction project risk management
  • Panelist - infrastructure Africa
  • Panelist - infrastructure Africa

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