EMERGING as Jamaica’s largest corporate insurance broker, Allied Insurance Brokers Limited (AIB) has built a reputation for consistency and reliability, with no client ever reporting a claim for policy non-performance in over five decades.

Founded in 1969, the firm was nurtured by Paul Bitter, a man whose passion for people and business laid the foundation for what stands today. In a sit-down interview at the company’s headquarters on Belmont Road, Bitter recalled launching the business from a cramped office in the George and Branday building across from 61 Harbour Street in downtown Kingston, not far from GraceKennedy’s iconic blue building.

With just two typewriters and a secretary, AIB began as an experiment, independent from the insurance companies and operating without relying on GraceKennedy, despite the conglomerate holding a 30 per cent share. Bitter, who trained in England and qualified as an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute in 1968, returned to Jamaica after a stint with Prudential Insurance Company. He shared that the company name, Allied Insurance Brokers, was coined casually over coffee one morning.

“Eddie Muschette said ‘Allied’ because it starts with ‘A,’ so we’d always be first on any listing of brokers. It was just common sense, thinking futuristic,” he recalled, while speaking with the Jamaica Observer in an interview.

In those early days, the idea of insurance broking was novel. Only two companies were registered before Allied. As Bitter explained, brokers offered a unique proposition, a service paid for by insurance companies through commissions, giving clients unbiased advice with no obligation to a particular insurer.

“For someone who liked people and sales, it was a winner,” he said.

Though GraceKennedy funded the registered capital to purchase a car and pay initial salaries, AIB operated independently. Bitter chose to focus solely on commercial insurance, viewing the life insurance business — then dominated by sharply dressed salesmen promoting specific companies — as too limited. AIB’s first client was a furniture dealer in downtown Kingston. When the client failed to pay premiums after three months, Bitter was forced to cancel and rewrite all policies.

“A sale without payment is not worth anything,” he learnt.

Wearing a suit that gave the impression of a lawyer and armed with solid credentials, Bitter networked with businessmen, gaining clients and expanding the business. By 1974, AIB had outgrown its space and moved to a larger office, but that same year, a fire ravaged Harbour Street.

“Thank God, we had filing cabinets that withstood the flame,” he said.

The company salvaged documents and dried them on the lawn, and luckily, AIB recorded no financial loss or client data missing; operations resumed swiftly, aided by friends who offered temporary office space. Eventually, the company relocated to St Lucia Avenue in New Kingston before getting tired of renting, and it acquired its first property in 1996 at its current Belmont Road property. The company had always operated as a one-office business but later acquired another location in Montego Bay. By 2000, Bitter had retired.

“I got in my car and drove away. Since then, I’ve not been involved in the company in any way, shape, or form,” he told the
Business Observer.

Sandra Donaldson succeeded him as managing director in 2000. During her tenure, public sector insurance contracts were opened to public tender. AIB, being licensed and qualified, quickly rose to become the leading recipient of government tenders.

“When we started to go to tender, within four or five years we were the leading recipient,” said Bitter.

Despite market changes and the evolution of risk types, such as directors and officers liability, professional indemnity, political violence, and other newer covers that came along, AIB remained strictly a broker and not an agent, advocating solely for clients. Today, Amanda Beepat serves as Managing Director, having taken the reins in 2013. Under her leadership, AIB has maintained its strong reputation for corporate governance and expanded its regional reach through affiliations with Syndicate Lloyd’s of London. While AIB maintains physical offices in Kingston and Montego Bay, Beepat emphasised that their real reach is through relationships, with staff frequently travelling across the Caribbean to meet clients.

“The only thing we sell is peace of mind,” she added.

Now, AIB operates as a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of the GraceKennedy Financial Group and offers a comprehensive suite of insurance services, including general insurance (commercial, motor, marine, aviation, and property); employee benefits such as group health, life, and personal accident; international medical coverage; and risk management and claims consultancy. It has emerged as Jamaica’s largest corporate insurance broker, serving individuals, SMEs, public-sector entities, and large corporate clients. The goal moving forward, Beepat said, is to continue growing and evolving while staying relevant to clients.

“My umbilical cord is attached to Allied,” said Bitter, while explaining his reason for attending the interview despite years of retirement. He was asked for his final thoughts on the company. Reflecting on its legacy, he said, “What it [Allied] has achieved has given me total satisfaction in my life for whatever commercial aspiration I’ve ever had.”

BEEPAT…the only thing we sell is peace of mind (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

BITTER… my umbilical cord is attached to AlliedJoseph Wellington