Cowan Insurance Group named one of Canada’s best-managed companies

Kitchener, ON (Feb. 27, 2013) – Cowan Insurance Group, a preeminent Canadian owned and operated insurance brokerage and consulting organization, has won a 2012 Canada’s Best Managed Companies (Best Managed) award.

“We are truly honoured to be named as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies this year,” said Heather McLachlin, President of Cowan Insurance Group. “As a first-time applicant, I am exceptionally proud that Cowan Insurance Group has been recognized as a national leader in business excellence. This award is a testament to the caliber of talent we have within our organization and to the innovative spirit of our employees and their unwavering commitment to put our customers at the centre of all we do.”

Established in 1993, the Canada’s Best Managed Companies is a national awards program, recognizing Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Applications are reviewed by an independent judging panel that evaluates how companies address various business challenges, including new technologies, globalization, brand management, leadership, leveraging and developing core competencies, designing information systems, and hiring the right talent to facilitate growth.

Cowan Insurance Group’s success and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies can best be attributed to their three core strategic priorities, which form the foundation of their strategic plan: an unwavering commitment to their core business and client base; a multi line sales approach that delivers innovative, client-driven product and service solutions; and strong strategic partnerships based on providing clients with leading-edge industry expertise and thought leadership. Leading in the marketplace through consistent execution on these three priorities, Cowan Insurance Group is a values-based organization with a commitment to high performance and leadership development and a reputation for knowing their customers better that anyone else — two of the biggest factors in the company’s success.

“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we would like to congratulate Cowan Insurance Group and its entire workforce. Achieving Canada’s highest level of Canadian business excellence takes a united effort and we are privileged to acknowledge such a strong team,” said John Hughes, National leader for Canada’s Best Managed Companies program and leader of the Greater Toronto Growth Enterprise practice for Deloitte.

“By pursuing innovation and investing in meeting the needs of their clients, this year’s winners have made a positive impact in the Canadian marketplace,” said Jon Hountalas, Executive Vice-President, Business Banking, CIBC.

2012 winners of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies award, along with the Gold Standard winners, Requalified and Platinum Club members will be honoured at the annual Best Managed gala in Toronto on April 16, 2013.

About Canada’s Best Managed Companies

Canada’s Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on four levels: 1) Best Managed winner (one of the 50 new winners selected each year); 2) Requalified member (repeat winners retain the Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review); 3) Gold Standard winner (After three consecutive years of maintaining their Best Managed status, these winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully reapplied for the designation. Companies may requalify for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review; 4) Platinum Club member (winners that maintain Best Managed status for a minimum of six consecutive years). Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC, National Post, Queen’s School of Business and MacKay CEO forums. For further information, visit www.bestmanagedcompanies.ca.

About Cowan Insurance Group

Cowan Insurance Group is one of the leading insurance brokerage and consulting operations in Canada, operating out of ten locations in Ontario. Representing national and international insurance companies, Cowan specializes in providing the best value to businesses, organizations and individuals for their insurance and risk management needs, as well as advising and creating retirement, group benefits and disability management programs for employee groups; and wealth management, financial planning and succession planning services to individuals. For more information visit www.cowangroup.ca.