PRESIDENT and chief executive officer of VM Group Courtney Campbell was among stalwarts in the finance and insurance industry who recently paid tribute to outgoing president of Guardian Group Eric Hosin.

Hosin was lionised as strategic with solid judgement, having led Guardian Life through difficult economic times, debt exchanges, a global pandemic, changes in government, legal and regulatory framework, and everything in-between.

According to Campbell, Hosin always seemed to have insight into the most complex conditions, at all times displaying absolute confidence in the company’s resilience and his team’s ability to overcome.

“Eric believes in giving of your best in every situation, and he gave his very best at every turn. Whether in advocating for staff benefits, lobbying for industry changes, or keeping the management team focused and engaged, he seemed to work harder than anyone, far and wide,” said Campbell.

Hosin joined Guardian Life Limited from its beginning in 1999, and rose to the helm of the company, assuming the role of president in 2010; and Group president, life health and pension for the region in 2022.

“Inspirational and committed,” “A man among men,” were some of the words used to describe Hosin as he prepares to demit office.

After 25 years, Hosin’s portfolio encapsulates Guardian Holdings’ English-speaking market. He is also tasked with consolidating the back office operations of Guardian Life of the Caribbean Limited, and Guardian Life Limited.

Hosin was always a fan of business and numbers, as he completed studies at the then College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST), now the University of Technology, Jamaica, in business administration. He also completed a Master of Business Administration at Nova Southeastern University.

After a sojourn at Deloitte and Touche, Hosin journeyed to Jamaica Mutual Life Assurance Society where he worked between the accounts and marketing departments. He was subsequently laid off, and worked at Jampro, now Jamaica Trade and Invest.

He served as assistant vice-president of missions, promotions and public relations at Jampro, which gave him the opportunity to travel. However, the challenge of the then-fledgling Guardian Life came and he answered the call.

Inspired with divine vision and wisdom and undergirded by his faith in God, Hosin has propelled Guardian Life into a stratosphere not previously seen as he served as an executive responsible for individual life sales, individual life, and employee benefits operations.

Charting new paths was nothing new for him, serving as the first chief executive officer of Guardian Life’s Medecus health scheme.

He also sought to bring innovation and shrewd business sense to the insurance industry locally and regionally as he served as president of the Insurance Association of Jamaica (2016-2018) and the Insurance Association of the Caribbean (2015-2019).

Honoured by the Government of Jamaica in 2018, Hosin was conferred with the Order of Distinction, Commander Class, in acknowledgement of his stellar contribution to the development of the insurance industry in Jamaica.

Organisational transformation has been his hallmark, always giving the utmost for the highest, in homage to Calabar High School.

“This is a special year! I want to thank you all for your support as you continue to contribute significantly to the growth of the organisation and continue to do well. Giving of our best is important in every situation,” he said.

Hosin has also aided in the advancement of lives and institutions by devoting his time, mentorship, and leveraging his resources and influence to better the welfare of others.

He has served as director on several boards, to include Guardian Life Limited (Jamaica), Guardian Life of The Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago), Duhaney Park Primary School, Companies Office of Jamaica, College of Theological and Interdisciplinary Studies, and Immaculate High School for Girls.