The Executive Team
The management team at Signature Risk Partners Inc. is a mix of insurance, financial services, industry and entrepreneurial talent committed to building commercial insurance solutions for professionally managed groups and select niche markets. Our business model enables us to deliver exceptional value to our clients through high quality insurance programs and services, underpinned by strong relationships with leading insurance companies. The details of our team follow:
James M. Grant - President & CEO
Mr. Grant is the President & CEO of Signature Risk Partners Inc., which he cofounded in September, 2005. Prior to founding Signature Risk, James was Vice President of Talvest Fund Management Inc., a $5 billion dollar asset management company. Talvest is part of TAL Global Asset Management, one of Canada's largest investment managers, with more than C$60 billion under management. At Talvest, James was part of the product development team and his duties included the creation of new mutual funds in addition to his sales and marketing leadership in the Toronto area. TAL was ultimately purchased by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) and Talvest is now part of CIBC Global Asset Management Inc.
Prior to joining Talvest, James was a member of the team that launched Altamira International Bank in the Barbados. Mr. Grant was involved in all aspects of the offshore bank with a particular focus on the development of an international distribution network through lawyers and leading accountants located in the Caribbean.
Mr. Grant has over 15 years of financial services industry experience and lives with his family in Toronto, Canada.
W. Elaine Collier, B.A., FCIP, CRM – Chief Underwriting Officer
Ms. Collier wrote the first program policy for Signature Risk in 2006 and recently joined as Chief Underwriting Officer. Since 2003, Elaine was Vice President, Underwriting Consulting Services for CGI Insurance Business Services where she was responsible for building an underwriting and risk management consulting practice.
Prior to CGI, Ms. Collier spent 5 years at Zurich Insurance Company of Canada where she was Senior Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer. Elaine has served in many underwriting and marketing roles and has developed broad based strategic skills and operational expertise.
Ms. Collier is a Certified Risk Manager (CRM) and a Fellow, Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) where she earned the 'James Richardson Award' for Top Fellow in Canada and the 'Centennial Award' for Top Fellow in Ontario. Elaine holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts from Victoria College at the University of Toronto.
Jeffrey D.M. Smith, B.Sc. – Partner, National Broker Relations
Mr. Smith is responsible for National Broker Relations for Signature Risk Partners Inc. Jeffrey has over 16 years of insurance sales and program consulting experience including three years as a large-case group underwriter. Jeff's responsibilities include building and maintaining existing relationships within Signature Risk's network of leading independent insurance brokers.
Mr. Smith has developed and launched several group insurance programs including the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA), Association of Community Living and the Driving Instructor Association of Ontario group programs.
Jeff has two young children and lives with his family in London, Canada.
Greg Foote – Partner
Greg Foote is a Managing Partner and co-founder of Signature Risk Partners Inc.
Greg has over 23 years of experience in the construction industry and is currently a Principal of ARC Building Group in Cincinnati, Ohio. ARC designs and constructs commercial buildings for nationally recognized companies in 9 states across the Midwestern United States.
Greg is a former officer in the United States Corp of Engineers and he lives with his family in Cincinnati, Ohio.