Acera Insurance Services Ltd. has announced the appointment of Hugh Watt as its new chief operating officer. Watt brings two decades of leadership experience in the finance and insurance sectors to his new role.
Watt’s extensive background includes previous positions as president and board member at Intersure from 2018 to 2021, and as COO at Foster Park Brokers from 2017 to 2022. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of Operations at NFP.
In his new position at Acera Insurance, Watt will focus on improving operational efficiency and supporting the company’s ongoing growth, particularly through acquisitions. Acera Insurance’s approach emphasizes partnerships that enable brokerages to scale, enhance market access, manage catastrophic events, and foster team development through best practices.
“Hugh has a proven track record in driving organizational growth through strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, and business process improvement,” said Lee Rogers, CEO of Acera Insurance. “We are confident that Hugh will have a positive impact as Acera Insurance continues to highlight the advantages of our 100% Canadian-owned and employee-controlled model.”
Watt was selected for his alignment with Acera Insurance’s culture, particularly his focus on operational excellence and team development. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with this talented team as we focus on growth, refine our capabilities, and continue to enhance our client and partner relationships,” Watt said. “I’m especially proud to return to the independent brokerage space, one based on employee ownership, and contribute to a Canadian company serving Canadians.”
Watt’s appointment is part of a wider expansion by Acera Insurance. In March, the company appointed Joseph Carnevale as regional president for Eastern Canada. Carnevale brings 20 years of experience in the property and casualty sector, having most recently served as area president for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) at Gallagher.
