Gordon Marr

New logo

Since 1987, Hansard International has been providing innovative financial products and services to clients around the world from its base here in the Isle of Man.

During an era of unprecedented global economic challenges, Hansard International is one of only two companies within its sector of the industry to have retained its original identity, focus and name.

That fact alone highlights its importance in the Isle of Man’s finance sector as a constant, reliable, and reassuring presence. As the business prepares to begin a year of celebrations to mark its 30th anniversary, Gordon Marr, Chief Executive Officer at Hansard International, talks exclusively to Business News.

Q: How is Hansard International celebrating its 30th anniversary?

A: We have an exciting programme of events which are designed to celebrate our history as one of the Island’s largest continuous employers, our record of innovation in the financial sector, and as a stalwart of the Island’s financial services industry.

These will all be key elements in the 30th anniversary celebrations, but equally important will be events to demonstrate our commitment to supporting the local community.

In the next few weeks a new corporate video will go online giving an insight into Hansard International’s history, core values, and plans for the future.

We have a special 30th anniversary logo which will be seen by our 40,000 clients around the world, and here in the Isle of Man we’re hosting a number of events which will be revealed as the year progresses.

But I can promise that there will be some really exciting announcements in the next few months, including some which will provide opportunities for our staff to nominate charities here on the Island which will benefit from funds raised directly from our anniversary celebrations.

While 2017 will be a year of celebrating our history, we will also be looking forward and explaining how we are already planning ahead, and laying the foundations for the next thirty years.

Q: What are the key factors in Hansard’s success?

A: The phenomenal success which the company has achieved over the last 30 years is due to many factors, the most important being the relentless efforts of our staff and their ability to continually create innovative products and services.

Recruiting and retaining skilled employees who are aligned with our outlook and can think ’outside of the box’ has, and will continue to be, the most important factor in the company’s success.

From the initial launch of the company in 1987 we quickly established a reputation as an innovator which led to numerous industry awards.

The best example to illustrate this is the arrival of the worldwide web to the masses in the 1990s when Hansard was quick to identify the internet’s potential to transcend geographical boundaries.

We launched ’Hansard Online’ (or ’HOL’ as it is known to the thousands of financial advisers who use it every year) in 1999.

Today, it continues to be central to the Hansard proposition with over 90% of new business submitted via HOL, and over two million client reports generated using it each year.

This is one of many examples which demonstrate how Hansard International is a company that has chosen to never stand still, and to ’thrive rather than survive’ in an industry where innovators are rewarded.

Q: How important is it to Hansard to be based in the Isle of Man?

A: It’s very important. The Isle of Man provides us with significant advantages because it’s a leading offshore jurisdiction with exceptional political and economic stability.

Everyone at Hansard is proud that we are an Isle of Man based business and of our reputation as a constant presence on the Island for so many years.

The chances are that almost everyone on the Island knows someone who has worked, or currently works for, Hansard - and we are proud to have provided so many career opportunities right here in the Isle of Man.

Q: Finally, tell us more about Hansard’s future plans?

A: Since 2014 we have been working on an ambitious strategic growth plan which was shared with staff, shareholders and City analysts.

The plan was deliberately bold, it’s very much forward looking, thinking big and being well-placed to adapt in an industry that has welcomed many new entrants, but said goodbye to many others during the last three decades.

This plan has already resulted in Hansard establishing a substantial number of new distribution agreements in our core markets and new business growth driving the group forward, year on year. Recognition of these efforts was rewarded in the form of Hansard’s most recent award, with the company scooping the International Adviser Readers’ Choice Award 2016 for the Best International Life Company - Malaysia, topping off a fantastic 2016. As we mark our 30th anniversary, plans for the next 30 years are already well advanced.

www.hansard.com