Insurance veteran Christopher Lawe talks success, family and securing the future
Published:Sunday | January 28, 2024 | 12:06 AM
In life, we sometimes come across powerful stories of resilience, foresight, and unwavering commitment to safeguarding the dreams of people we love.
Meet Christopher Lawe, an insurance maestro whose journey is defined by his dedication to providing a shield of financial security through insurance for those navigating life’s unpredictable journey.
“My passion for insurance runs deep,” Lawe said.
His foray into the insurance industry began when a close friend, at a very young age, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“Representing her, earning her trust, and ensuring the right policies were in place allowed her to navigate her diagnosis successfully,” Lawe recalled.
His friend not only beat cancer, but also empowered herself to invest in two additional apartments. For Lawe, his work is not merely about making a profit; it’s about empowering people to rebuild and redefine their lives post-crisis.
Having lost his mother when he was just 18 years old, Lawe understands intimately the fragility of life. This personal loss serves as the backdrop of his professional mission, to ensure that families are shielded from the financial storms accompanying unexpected tragedies.
“I understand the whole process of somebody being here today and tomorrow they are not,” he said.
With two decades of experience, Lawe currently serves as vice president of individual life at the insurance brokerage firm Fraser Fontaine & Kong Ltd. Before, he excelled as the senior branch manager for the Holborn Road branch of Sagicor Life Jamaica, consistently breaking company records and maintaining excellence in all performance areas.
“It has been a big deal over the years, settling claims and being number-one in the placement of insurance in the country and local industry. That’s something I’m proud of,” Lawe remarked.
He openly shares the path he’s taken to unlock prosperity in his recent book, Organic Success: A Paved Path to Record-Breaking Success, a book he co-authored with insurance executive Michelle Havelock from Trinidad and Tobago.
Despite often hearing heart-wrenching tales of loss, he takes pride in being a driving force in placing insurance at the forefront of financial protection in the country and the industry.
Transitioning from a large corporation to the dynamic world of brokerage marked a pivotal phase in Lawe’s career, allowing him to leverage his expertise not only in Sagicor Insurance policies, but also in curating a comprehensive portfolio that includes offerings from various reputable insurance providers.
“My commitment to delivering tailored financial solutions remains unwavering, and I am excited to bring a diverse range of insurance options to our clients, ensuring their unique needs and preferences are met with the utmost precision and care,” he said.
Navigating the ever-evolving currency landscape, Lawe also utilises the brokerage system to provide US dollar insurance, a crucial offering for upper-income individuals tied to the stability of the US dollar.
Beyond his professional endeavours, Lawe cherishes his role as a devoted father to two boys. In his leisure time, he indulges his passions for travel, socialising, and tinkering with performance motor vehicles.
He is also an air pilot and captain of his boat, showcasing agility, business acumen, and sound leadership skills that have propelled him to the forefront of the financial services industry.
As a parent, Lawe speaks from the heart. “Whether I am alive or dead, my two boys will certainly, from a monetary perspective, have lived a life that I intended to provide for them,” he said.
He imparts this ethos to friends, clients, and the agents and advisers he trains, emphasising the profound impact insurance can have on securing futures, be it college funds, mortgages, or the assurance of a roof over the head and food on the table.
In the bustling world of insurance, where risk and reward dance on a tightrope, Lawe stands as a stalwart, a sales management leader whose passion for shaping careers and lives is as formidable as the industry itself.
“The insurance industry can be a very lucrative field for a salesperson,” Lawe affirmed, “and having the ability to develop, train, and mould people in an ethical, straight, and narrow way to create a career and a life for themselves, that is quite often superior than otherwise available with ease.”
He has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry as a past president of Sagicor’s Managers Association and a board member of the Jamaica Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, where he also served as president.
Additionally, he has moderated numerous industry courses, including the Advanced (AMTC) Agency Managers Training Course, in which he is a certified trainer and has served on the executive board of the broader Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.