greg-carter-am-best
2 October 2015 Insurance

60 seconds with Greg Carter

Greg Carter, the recently appointed managing director, analytics, EMEA at AM Best talks to Intelligent Insurer about being a workaholic, his passion for the insurance industry and his love of a good symphony.

Why is this move right for you at this stage in your career?

I have spent almost 20 years of my career in credit rating agencies and I feel passionately about the value they can bring to the efficient workings of the insurance industry. Having seen the insurance sector from many angles, working for a credit rating agency gives you the opportunity to view it from a unique and privileged position.

What will you bring to the role?

I hope my experience of working in a number of different agencies will be valuable in this role. Importantly, the time I have spent in a number of more commercially focussed roles brings a broader perspective of the insurance industry. I have always tried to build analytical teams that comprise people from a range of backgrounds and experiences. I believe that a mixture of opinions enables the rating agency to deliver a more balanced and complete view of the industry.

As well as spent within credit rating agencies, I hope my experience working for a bank, the regulator, an outsourcing services provider and a consultancy broadens my view and understanding of the insurance sector.

What are your initial objectives in the new role?

My immediate objective will be to further enhance the already high standards of analysis within AM Best. I am increasingly aware of the influence and importance of credit ratings and particularly the quality, depth and breadth of AM’s Best’s research and commentary.

What will be your biggest challenge in the new role?

Having responsibility for the Middle East and Africa, as well as Europe, there are a number of markets that I am not currently very close to. Getting familiar with these territories and understanding the drivers of credit quality will be an immediate challenge. However, I am confident that the quality of the existing analytical team will enable me to quickly understand the key issues and challenges in these markets.

Why did you choose to work in this industry initially?

Insurance has long been one of the pillars of the City of London. It has always been an exciting and dynamic marketplace, despite the impression held by some! The opportunities in the industry are almost boundless.

Having been in insurance for nearly 30 years, I am constantly surprised at how much I don’t know and how much there is to learn about the markets.

If you had chosen a different profession/career path, what would it have been?

I have an analytical and mathematical background, so I think something in the research or academic fields may have taken my interest. However, I think the insurance industry is incredibly vibrant and stimulating and I’m pleased my career path has led me here.

What are you doing when you are not at work?

Thinking about work! I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family – being based in Asia didn’t allow much of that. Before I left the UK early last year, I spent one or two evenings a week coaching the high jump.

What is your secret vice?

Mahler’s second symphony, uninterrupted!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.

My parents named me Gregson after a friend of theirs, but I’ve yet to meet another Gregson.

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