Tina Osen has a growing list of accomplishments as a senior executive at one of the province’s largest insurance brokerage firms. But you won’t find her taking credit for it.
She’s as gracious and humble about her professional achievements as she is grateful for the work by her team at HUB International’s Lower Mainland business, which has grown to 300 staff from 170 a decade ago.
Her growing team is a reflection of the company’s strategy to expand its business by deepening its relationships with its clientele. While auto insurance is what the company might be most known for, Osen noted that close to half of the company’s business is from commercial insurance.
It also provides personal lines of insurance, from house and marine insurance to employee benefits and other financial products.
The success of the company’s strategy is reflected in the 135% increase in the total value of insurance the company sells annually, rising to $400 million from $170 million a decade ago. Annual revenue, consisting of fees and commissions has also grown proportionally, rising close to $40 million from $17 million.
HUB’s success also reflects the enjoyment and satisfaction has in being in the industry. While insurance ran in the family (her father had owned TOS Insurance Services before it was acquired by HUB in 1999), she still enjoyed the business even at the entry-level position 20 years ago when she was 21. “I was lucky, because it was one of the businesses I loved.”
The embedded opportunity of the sector also continually appeals to her. “Everybody needs to purchase insurance, so you have the ability to work with such a diverse clientele. It’s never boring.”
The growth of the company hasn’t gone unnoticed. Since becoming president and CEO of HUB International’s Greater Vancouver division in 2004, the company has been among the top three performing insurance brokerages among HUB International’s North American operations. In addition to receiving HUB’s Chairman Award for four consecutive years since she became CEO, she received Business In Vancouver’s Forty under 40 Award in 2004 and Deloitte’s Women of Influence Award in 2009.
She’s become a valued member of HUB International’s executive committee for North American operations, sitting on the company’s president focus group, which includes HUB’s senior management based in Chicago, and a selection of four presidents of HUB’s subsidiary operations across the continent.
As a mother of two daughters, aged 10 and 6, she credits the support of her friends and family, her “wonderful husband” and the dedication of her team for her career and corporate success.
For Osen, being able to have a successful career and good family involves being disciplined and understanding one’s priorities. With respect to her friends and family, “I treat them with the same seriousness on my calendar as any business appointment I have. One of the things I always make time for, provided I’m not on a work trip or have a work dinner, is being at home to have dinner with the family.”
Despite her busy schedule, Osen still makes time to support the community. In addition to being a director for the Vancouver Board of Trade, she’s a mentor within HUB’s mentorship program and is part of the Net Works Cabinet, which supports female athletes in B.C.
While the company has grown substantially in the past decade, Osen isn’t resting on the company’s laurels. Over the next 10 years, the company has a goal of increasing its annual revenue to $75 million.
Some of that will come from organic growth, but Osen said the company will plan to benefit from the demographic shift and acquire brokerages in the region. “There are certain opportunities where some brokerages don’t have an obvious succession plan in place. As brokerages grow, there might be some that are looking for ways to realize the value of their hard work. That creates an opportunity for us.” •
