Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers (2026) Magazine - Magazine - Page 40
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CANADA’S TOP SMALL & MEDIUM EMPLOYERS (2026)
Learning leads to longevity at Lawrie Insurance Group
W
hen Paul
Christie
joined Lawrie
Insurance
Group as a sales
associate 30 years ago, he was
onboarded by Dan Lawrie, the
Hamilton, Ont.-based company’s
founder. In the intervening years
— during which Christie has risen
to the position of vice-president
of commercial lines sales — he’s
tried to emulate the ways Lawrie’s
leadership has successfully
developed and retained a
workforce that includes many
long-serving employees.
“When I started, mentorship
was a big thing, and it’s still
something I firmly believe in,”
he says. “I look at the things Dan
did then, and I try to do the same
with my team now because I know
it worked. Like making time for
people on a one-to-one basis,
which I do with my team every
other week.”
Devon Bestard, team lead
for the insurance brokerage’s
personal lines sales department,
has been at Lawrie for 10 years
and also appreciates the leaders’
mentorship approach, as well as
their availability for employees.
“Each leader finds individuals
to mentor, giving them extra
responsibilities and including
them in meetings,” he says. “Dan
would also come into our sales
meetings all the time to provide
his insights on approaching new
prospects or groups. And our
chief operating officer makes
the rounds two or three times a
day. They are always visible and
available.”
Employee education and
training are also priorities at
Lawrie. “When I started to have
success, Dan told me, ‘When
the learning stops, the looking
starts,’ and I’ve never forgotten
that,” Christie says. “As long as
you’re learning, you’re engaged in
developing your career.”
The company’s training
programs include formal courses,
mentoring and education
reimbursement — reflecting
its commitment to continuous
learning and employee
development.
“Everyone’s skill set is different,
and the way they learn is
different as well, so flexibility
is a big thing here,” Christie
says. “Our onboarding system is
called CARE, which stands for
Client Attraction and Retention
Excellence, and it encompasses
everything our sales staff needs to
be successful. We also do a boot
camp taught by a third party with
two levels of courses.”
Lawrie holds regular town halls
to connect its employees, many of
whom work on a hybrid basis. “It’s
a great opportunity for everyone
in the company to engage with
each other,” says Christie. “I also
do team building with the sales
team, where we’ll do an off-site
exercise. The last one included
two golf simulators and a driving
simulator. It’s lunch and an
afternoon away from everything.”
Employees can participate in the
Day of Caring, when they’re paid
to volunteer at a charity of their
Everyone’s skill set is different, and the way
they learn is different as well, so flexibility is a big
thing here.
— Paul Christie
Vice-President of Commercial Lines Sales
Lawrie Insurance Group supports the community by taking part in charity events, like the annual Clover Tool
Golf Tournament in support of SickKids.
