Braedy Walker, practice leader for Platform’s new Captive and Alternative Risk Financing Practice Group, is planning to integrate the firm’s new captive offering with its current brokerage services, creating a comprehensive one-stop shop for all Platform clients.
The Canadian broker was founded in 2014 and provides insurance and bonding solutions to the development and construction community. In July, it launched its captive and ART practice.
Before undertaking his new role at Platform, Walker was previously vice president, national captive practice leader at HUB International.
“It my intention to establish a captive management shop from the outset, in addition to offering captive advisory services, a cornerstone of my work at previous shops,” Walker told Captive Intelligence.
“This is something I was unable to achieve previously in my career and the ability to accomplish this was a major factor in my decision to move over to Platform.”
The cornerstone of Platform’s offering is centred around construction, real estate, and infrastructure.
“What I like about the firm is that they’re not just shooting from the hip and trying to grow into other industries hastily,” he added.
“They want to ensure they have the best people before expanding into new areas.
“They are true masters of their domain in construction, infrastructure, and real estate, with some of the best people in the industry, a couple of whom I’ve worked with in the past.”
Walker said there have been a number of potential Platform clients and prospects who have previously expressed a desire for a captive offering from the company.
“Previously, we might have been unable to offer it to current clients, which is always tricky and may have hindered the firm’s ability to attract future prospects,” he said.
“By including this solution, Platform becomes a full-service firm for companies across Canada, no matter their size.”
Walker highlighted that his job will be to set up, grow and lead the captive team for Platform, where he will effectively build it from the ground up.
He will also be tasked with making sure all the necessary structures are in place in Barbados, Alberta, Bermuda, and Cayman, and eventually in the United States.
“I’m looking forward to building the team and processes from scratch as opposed to working with inherited structures,” he said.
“We’ll be working with the rest of the team at Platform to continue growing the company, both in existing and new verticals, ensuring that clients are well served and have the solutions they need.”
Platform is currently operating only in Canada, but many of the firm’s clients have US operations.
“Given that we are a fast-growing firm, expanding into the US seems like a logical move in the future,” he added.