New president and COO at Mitch Insurance

Whitby, Ont.-based Mitch Insurance has named Paul Harper as its president and chief operating officer (COO), reporting directly to CEO, Adam Mitchell.

“As a business, we’re always looking at where we are, and where we want to go,” says Mitchell in a Nov. 25 press release.“We’ve reached the point where we need a seasoned professional who’s played at the highest levels to elevate our game and guide us through the next stage of growth.

“Paul brings experience and vision that will take us further, faster. I’m excited about the role he’ll play in evolving our operations, enhancing the client experience, and reinforcing a culture of accountability across our company.”

In his new role, Harper will focus on day-to-day operations. He brings more than 30 years of experience, including nearly 20 years as COO of Direct Link Insurance Services, a multinational brokerage that is now part of Acrisure. He also established Torex Consulting in 2018. That firm provides strategic management and operations guidance to brokerages with $2 million to $100-plus million in revenue across North America, according to Torex’s website.

“I’m a builder at heart, and I’m passionate about helping brokerages push past their limits,” Harper says in the press release. “Mitch has built a strong foundation, and we have the opportunity to expand our walls by strengthening leadership, advancing our capabilities, and differentiating ourselves in the marketplace. But this needs to be done in the right way to be successful.

“There’s a lot that drew me here, and I’m thrilled to be a part of Mitch’s next chapter of growth and evolution.”

Harper’s addition to the team will allow Mitchell to spend more time on long-term strategies and growth opportunities, and on building partnerships.

Phil Porado

Phil, an award-winning journalist with over 30 years of experience in financial topics, has been managing editor of Canadian Underwriter for more than three years.