UP CLOSE: Andrew Halsall

Andrew Halsall

BEDFORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE-BASED PRESIDENT AND CEO

Government Entities Mutual Inc. P.C.C.

PREVIOUS POSITION: New York-based reinsurance restructuring officer for American International Group Inc.

GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: To grow GEM's participation in public entity risk financing for current and future members, and to partner alongside other risk providers to deliver sustainable solutions.

CHALLENGES FACING INDUSTRY: At a macro level, it's all about the conflict between overcapacity and maintaining underwriting discipline; underpricing inevitably comes back to bite. For public entities specifically, law enforcement liability has attracted a lot of attention.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: I think interest rates will be a major influence. As rates rise, capital will flow out of the insurance/reinsurance sector in search of better yields and shrink the overcapacity in the marketplace.

FIRST INDUSTRY JOB: I handled goods-in-transit claims for a shipping company in the north of England.

WHAT SURPRISED ME: How many different ways goods can get damaged in transit.

ADVICE: Success isn't just about acquiring technical skills. A successful, satisfying, enjoyable career will be driven just as much by the relationships we develop along the way.

OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: A friend of mine designs pyrotechnic displays for concerts and other major public events. That has to be really satisfying.

THING MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME: I play drums in a rock band. My proudest moment was playing at The Stone Pony, an iconic New Jersey venue.

FAVORITE MEAL: A good curry.

WHEN I RETIRE: I think I'm the only Scotsman who doesn't play golf. I'm hoping to remedy that between now and retirement.

CAN'T-MISS TELEVISION SHOW: “Homeland.”

BEST CITY: It has to be Dublin; what a vibrant city with great people.