Transforming businesses and careers with panache
In a breakaway from the North American supremacy in digital leadership is one of the youngest Brazilian CEOs Newton Rosa de Queiroz, a Global Business Leader and Mentor who is making waves with his innovative strategies and transformational leadership. Newton is an expert in the field of Insurance & Reinsurance, an industry he had sworn not to work in!
“My father worked in the same industry for years, however, it was by sheer chance that I ended up as a liability underwriter and fell in love with the profession. My curiosity led me to learn all the facets of business,” shares Queiroz, who’s also an entrepreneur and expert on all aspects from market research and conception to trade analysis and innovation.
Newton was born in a traditional Brazilian family, where his parents’ marriage has lasted more than 50 years and counting. Due to his parent’s executive life, his family ended up living in different areas of the country and abroad. Growing up as the youngest of three siblings, he was often the chosen one to run errands for his father, which led him to start working at a young age. At 18, he left home to study in Canada where he completed his Bachelors and Masters (both in business administration), followed by various courses in leading universities such as HBS, MIT, and others.
Thereafter followed a successful career (with some usual bumps along the road), but thanks to the support of his family, wife, son, and mentors, Newton was able to conquer his challenges and reach leadership positions across the globe. Even when his chips were down, Newton never gave up and continued to learn. “You must look to be the best version of yourself and be open to adapt and change,” he suggests with wisdom gained.
Over the course of more than 2 decades in multinational companies, Newton built a varied portfolio of professional expertise in maximizing human development, brand positioning and results, stimulating service innovation, launch of new products and quality management, all with a focus on customer experience and success of large businesses. With a deep knowledge of the insurance & reinsurance market, he led areas and companies such as Allianz, AON, Swiss Re, and Argo, among others.
Newton always believed in spreading the culture of ‘insurance/protection for all’. His passion lies in providing better protection and life to others, specially in moments of distress after a hard claim or a major issue where one of the products/solutions the company offers can bring at least a partial relief to the affected party.
As the current CEO of Europ Assistance, he leads 30K+ people (direct and indirect) in the development of projects. “I love what I do, it gives me the opportunity to push the growth of safety networks in countries I go to work in. Also, I see business as it is, you must bring results if you desire to invest in the most important asset of the company, which is the team, and in return offer the best service to your clients.”
Newton is also a big advocate of the best business practices – digital transformation, innovation, quality research, and market trends. In addition, people centric aspects such as – diversity, inclusion and respect; leading actions for repositioning culture, climate and people; and enhancing the organizational development of the company. These endeavors have helped him keep businesses going and clients served while maintaining jobs, especially during the pandemic.
This winning combination of business acumen and empathy has seen Newton emerge as one of the youngest Directors (globally) for one of the major broker companies; being the first Brazilian CEO for an important insurance/reinsurance company outside of Brazil; and holding a strong track record in turnaround operations.
Expectedly, the awards have come calling. He was the only Latin American under 35 as a Rising Star in his industry in 2014; won Best Executive of the Year for the Brazilian insurance industry two years in a row; won as the most innovative and recognized executive in insurance for the Latin American region; and other global awards as CEO of the year.
A complete family man at heart, he adds, “In personal life, my biggest achievement is my family – my parents, wife, kids, sister, and extended family. They are the most valuable treasure I have, and my biggest achievement.”
Newton’s influence isn’t limited to his industry. Having worked in many different countries and being fluent in four languages – Spanish, French, English and Portuguese, he has been an Advisory and Administrative Counselor in other segments of the economy, as well as a Business & Career Mentor, supporting 80+ people and 20+ companies in conducting their businesses/positions in the labor market. He is also the Vice-President of the National Association of Microsurances (ANM) and a columnist for JRS Insurance Magazine and Seguro Total Magazine.
As morning turns into afternoon and it is time to bid adieu to the charismatic Newton Queiroz, he shares with us his favourite quote and a mantra to live by – ‘One who conquers others is great, but one who conquers himself/herself is mighty’.
