APRIL 2021

CELEBRATING PROFESSIONALISM IN AFRICA EDITION #U01

‘Nurturing professionalism’ By Caroline W Mwangi and Esther Muchunu Head of Human Capital, GI and Human Capital Assistant, GI Health UAP and Health UAP Old Mutual

‘Celebrating professionalism in Africa’ is a pioneering series of case studies, published by the Chartered Insurance Institute, to showcase professional practice and innovation in insurance NURTURING INSURANCE PROFESSIONALISM

By Caroline W Mwangi and Esther Muchunu Head of Human Capital, GI and Health Human Capital Assistant, GI and Health UAP Old Mutual UAP Old Mutual

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. in the region. Our purpose is to champion mutually That was what was in the mind of UAP Old Mutual positive futures every day and our vision is to be Group’s management when the organisation our customers’ most trusted lifetime partner, started encouraging and promoting capacity passionate about helping them achieve their development through providing various learning financial goals. This is guided by our mission, which and development opportunities. This was fuelled is to enhance quality of life by delivering peace of by the fact that we not only consider human mind and financial freedom though an exceptionally resource as a factor of production but as capital motivated team that delivers what customers want, which when strategically injected, nurtured and when and where they want it. The company’s values grown has the ability to turn around any are: accountability, integrity, respect and pushing organisation’s performance, delivering that which beyond boundaries. In a nutshell, respect the is core to the organisation. communities, be fair to our competitors, be honest with our customers and be fair to our employees. UAP Old Mutual Group is the east African subsidiary of Old Mutual Limited, which operates in 13 With a human capital population in the short term countries across Africa. The group is a leading business (heath and property and casualty) in integrated business comprised of alone standing at 240, UAP Old Mutual UAP Old Mutual and Faulu Microfinance Bank, Group has risen to be one of the market leaders in which provides investment, savings, insurance and insurance (ranked in the top five), money markets banking services to more than 1.5 million customers and banking with a presence in east and central

I can only describe the CII as extremely professional. Their new mode of assessment is very good, it gives an all-round experience in all areas of insurance management. They also take a short time to share the results, and the feedback on the results enables you to improve

Steve Obiero Senior Underwriter

UAP professionals attending a staff town hall event The knowledge gained through the CII course is invaluable. It also boosts your professional confidence as you interact with your peers. As the saying goes: ‘The roots are bitter but the fruits are sweet’

Elizabeth Mungai The managing director, GI and health addressing staff Assistant Manager – Underwriting We are keen to create an environment and a culture than incubates and encourages growth

Team-building activities

Africa, not to mention southern Africa where the which in turn maps out their career growth, mother company, Old Mutual, enjoys a lion’s share ensuring our succession pipeline is always ready. It of the market in the region. In a bid to build an also means we enjoy a competitive edge in the empowered taskforce, the company has embarked industry through great service delivery to our on employee training. This has been anchored on clientele. Our employees also enjoy being highly our values and pillars, one of them being customer marketable in the industry, which in turn keeps satisfaction. As an organisation that values its them motivated. It is not in question that we are human capital, employees remain our first and most pleased with the return on investment. valued customers. With this in mind, we are keen to create an environment and a culture that incubates This year has had its unique challenges, but we and encourages growth on an individual level remain resolute on our endeavours to support our through providing platforms such as learning and employees in their development goals, while the development and through undertaking courses institute has demonstrated its commitment through offered by the Chartered Insurance Institute to the appointment of a regional director. We look achieve and fuel the employees’ dreams and visions forward to interactions with him and hope that which are aligned to the overall goals, mission and going forward the processes will be seamless, vision of the company. hence fostering an even stronger partnership.

Over time, we have sponsored many employees, With the ever-changing dynamics as we have with the current active student number standing at witnessed, we look forward to a vibrant online more than 20 employees at the institute. We have platform that will ensure students don’t miss out on an almost equal number who are registered under their classes and exams. With the exciting yet various membership categories with the institute. unsure times, one thing remains sure — it always There are many benefits that as an organisation we gets worse before it can get better. Viva, UAP Old have experienced through having a skilled Mutual Group! Viva, the Chartered Insurance workforce. To begin with, the employees are Institute! p inspired to improve and develop continuously,

Date established Staff Key financials 1920 KES9,912m GWP 200 60 KES17,719m total Overview: The UAP Old Mutual Group assets is an integrated financial services Total business comprising Faulu Microfinance With an insurance Bank, UAP and Old Mutual qualification

Mission: Key locations Sector focus To be our customers’ most trusted Kenya, , Life and partner and passionate about General Financial , protection insurance planning helping them achieve their lifetime Tanzania, Uganda insurance financial goals

For more information: www.uapoldmutual.com FURTHER READING

Your membership guide 2021 qualifications: Your guide to studying with us OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE December can be a time for reflection Africa: A Continent of Promise THE YEAR on the year that’s drawing to a close. None of us could have anticipated, At last: a dedicated webpage for Africa when we were wishing ‘happy new Our goodwill ambassadors – the team expands IN REVIEW year’ to family, friends and colleagues Cost-effective packages for Africa back on 1 January, what extraordinary times lay A rising profile THE CII IN ahead. We were largely Accreditation by the Commonwealth unfamiliar with concepts People changes such as lockdowns, social Enhancing public exams AFRICA distancing, quarantines, R rates and so forth – which all quickly A new distribution partner for Nigeria December special issue 2020 became part of our everyday lives. Looking ahead Fast Thankfully, Africa has been spared some of the worst Covid-19 consequences, 2020 recording just 3.5% of global cases and IN NUMBERS deaths despite being home to 17% of the Develop with track world’s population. We We are pleased to share some numbers about CII activity in Africa during 2020: have also been hearing from many colleagues in Africa your A Continent that the pandemic has prompted many businesses 2,673 896 78% 125 13 and individuals to review drive Of Promise their financial wellbeing and insurance needs. future Members Exam sittings Exams Major employer Affiliated The CII passionately believes and coursework pass rate relationships institutes Building a trusted that a well-functioning, trusted, completions insurance and professional insurance and financial We would like to extend warm financial planning planning sector is vital for social and congratulations to everyone who has sat The CII’s affiliated institutes in Africa profession in Africa economic success, and is committed to working with partners throughout Africa and passed a CII qualification during 2020, to raise the profile of our profession and and thank all our affiliated institutes who the value it delivers to everyday lives. have worked in partnership with us on many initiatives throughout the year. The CII passionately believes As the year draws to a close, we would like that a trusted insurance and to take this opportunity to review some CII AFFILIATED INSTITUTES financial planning sector is of the CII’s activities in Africa during the Full details of our affiliated institutes are available here. In total, 13 African countries vital for social and economic past twelve months, and look forward to the year ahead. are represented in our affiliated institute success in Africa. network: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, For more information, please email: [email protected] Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Each institute has a mission and vision which A celebration of activity AND INNOVATION 2020-2021 aligns with the CII, and is responsible for impressive work locally to raise standards SUPPORTING THE PROFESSION IN AFRICA 1 and support insurance penetration.

See the report › See the review › See the guide › See the guide › A Continent Of Promise: CII in Africa: CII membership CII qualifications Celebrating the African Year In Review guide guide insurance profession

This case study is one of a series which is published by the CII. To download other case studies, please visit ww.cii.co.uk/africa/casestudies. This webpage also includes an important legal notice regarding the case study series.

FOR INFORMATION: www.cii.co.uk/africa E: [email protected]

PUBLISHED BY: Chartered Insurance Institute 42-48 High Road | South Woodford | London | E18 2JP Tel: +44 (0)20 8989 8464 Email: [email protected] www.cii.co.uk