Hiring for blind spots & long-standing customer obsession - with Andre Symes, Co-CEO, Genasys

“It’s one of the most uncomfortable things we've ever done, hiring people that aren't like you, particularly in your senior leadership team”, says Andre. The London-based co-CEO discusses his route to joining Genasys in 2011. Founded in 1997, the business now services 40 MGAs, Brokers and Carriers across 22 countries from its offices in London, Cape Town and Johannesburg. Andre describes how the business has repurposed its technology over 25 years and kept up to date with an exceptionally high revenue to R&D ratio.“The one thing as a small organisation is that you have to make sure your technology is better than the bigger ones. Otherwise, what is the point of people looking at you.”Andre discusses tech implementation costs, competing against VC-backed insurtechs  and having a long-standing obsession of customer experience.   “Driving down the cost to implement new technology will ultimately improve [our clients’] business and therefore our ultimate goal of improving the policyholders life without breaking the bank.”Highlighting plans to hire 80-100 people over the next 12 months, Andre emphasises the need for strong leadership alignment throughout the divisions of the business, balanced with the desire to have fun along the way. He shares the advice he’d give to those looking to build a career in the insurance space and those in the insurtech space that he admires most.“Too many insurtechs are more concerned about trying to create value for the sake of an exit rather than trying to create value for a customer.  The people I respect in the industry are genuinely trying to do something to improve the policyholders life."Connect with Andre Symes on LinkedIn or find out more about GenasysThe Insurance Coffee House Podcast is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO, Insurance Search, the Executive Search Consultancy for growing Insurance and Insurtech businesses across the globe.To discuss identifying & attracting the very best talent to your team or being a podcast guest, reach out to Nick via [email protected] or connect on LinkedInCopyright Insurance Search 2023 – All Rights Reserved.