Sukhdeep Kang, CEO of Armour Insurance Brokers Ltd. was recently nominated by her peers in Insurance Business for Woman of Distinction Award in Insurance Business Canada Awards of 2018. There are many examples of Sukhdeep exceeding the challenging requirements and expectations for this prestigious award.
By way of background, Sukhdeep is an ex-police officer who helped women fight and demand justice against domestic violence – long before the #metoo movement. She has worked as a member of criminal Injury compensation board and dealt with victims and family members of deceased victims of violent crimes committed in Ontario.
She has always encouraged, and helped women maintain their independence by joining the workforce. She has also trained more than 12 women into lead sales roles, some of who are still a part of Armour. Her determination to empower women is quite evident as over 70 per cent employees at Armour are women.
Within the past 5 years, through hard work and perseverance, Sukhdeep has exponentially grown the company’s portfolio from $11 Million to $30 Million. The majority of this volume was generated organically and plain old fashion hard work. There is a small portion of the growth that came through acquisition which Sukhdeep single handedly spearheaded. This growth strategy is part of her vision to become a $50M brokerage within the next few years. Sukhdeep recognizes the importance of scale and the value of industry leading service for the ever changing customer.
Though the traditional insurance business model has proved remarkably resilient, Sukhdeep has recognized the importance of investing in technology which underpins a robust digital strategy at her brokerage. Sukhdeep has ensured that the culture at Armour embraces change and quickly evolves, through a very deliberate structured approach to streamlining the interaction with the customer to suit their needs while ensuring an efficient service delivery. Armour is one of the very few brokerages in Ontario to have a self-serve mobile app, that lets clients access their policy docs, make small changes, access the pink slip, and chat with their broker-all within one app. She also recognizes the investment in human capital and, while always looking to hire talented and ambitious individuals, she is keen on upskilling her staff and taking them to their limits of their comfort zones.
Digital transformation goes well beyond an interactive website and, with that in mind, Armour is continually building their brand presence through all social media outlets and also allowing for high levesl of engagement with the customer. She is always looking to push the envelope on issues that the public are interested in beyond insurance, whether it’s educating the public on recreational marijuana, ride sharing or transportation.
Sukhdeep is actively involved in community service and engagement, as Armour is a member of IBO, Brampton Board of Trade, Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, and Canadian Cancer Society. Sukhdeep is also a sponsor of William Osler Cancer Research, International Seniors Club, and annual fundraiser for Bethell Hospice Foundation.
She is running a non-profit organization names W.A.Y community services Centre ( Women & Youth Community Services Centre) to provide services to deal with the following issues:
- Drug or alcohol addiction
- Mental Health
- Abuse & Domestic Violence
- Career Counselling
- Health & wellness
The prime motive of this Organization is to empower youth and women to live independent & healthy life style to contribute the Canadian Society.
Sukhdeep was also awarded as Business Woman of the Year on International Women’s Day 2018 by Indo-Canadian Arts and Culture Initiative.
Like her peers say, Sukhdeep truly represents all that is good in the Insurance Industry; Her passion to give back to the industry and tirelessly lead a successful and fiercely independent brokerage are strong grounds upon which she has become a finalist for the honor of Woman of Distinction.