TAYLOR FORST | Age: 31 Assistant vice president, account executive

Alliant Insurance Services Inc.

Atlanta

Taylor Forst knew early on that he wanted a career in insurance and risk management. Studies at the University of Georgia fired his passion for the sector, and he joined Willis Towers Watson PLC soon after graduation. After eight years with the broker, in August 2021 he joined Alliant, where he handles large property accounts, mostly public entity business.

 

What’s a lasting effect of the pandemic on the way you work?

I lived near our Charlotte, North Carolina, office but relocated to Atlanta, so I’m more flexible in my working arrangement. I’m closer to many of the markets that we deal with and can strengthen those relationships with in-person meetings as opposed to being in Charlotte where it was done more by phone or Zoom.

 

What’s your advice on navigating the current insurance market?

Communications is at the heart of what we do, but now, more than ever, it is really important that we keep (clients) abreast of the latest changes. Some lines of coverage are changing by the day, and we have to ensure that we are providing them with constant guidance and updates on what they can expect for their renewals.

 

What’s a problem that needs fixing in your sector?

Although we’ve made a lot of strides from a data collection, information technology perspective, we’re still behind some of our peers in the financial world. Benchmarking is something industrywide that we could reinvest resources into. Anything we’re able to do that makes our clients’ jobs easier with regard to data collection and analytics is something that we should certainly invest in.

 

What is something about you that would surprise people?

It would surprise people to find out how horrible I actually am at the game of golf.

 

Favorite song?

“Raspberry Beret,” by Prince.