In the latest in a series of interviews with CEOs from ICMIF member organisations, Helton Freitas, President of Seguros Unimed (Brazil), shares his perspectives on the cooperative advantage, adapting for the future, his own methods for continuing to learn and develop as a leader, and his advice for the next generation of leaders. He discusses Unimed’s strategy, digital transformation and the importance of sustainability.

How does being a cooperative make a difference? Does it provide you with a competitive advantage?

In a world in which alternatives to the current economic model are sought, has a high potential for innovation. Creative, collaborative and solidarity economies have been identified as sustainable economic models which carry cooperative concepts. Cooperatives demonstrate that it is possible to generate profit, improve social equality and innovate by proposing a more horizontal and diverse business model. It is in these environments that disruptive patterns are developed, with great potential for impact on the market.

Because it is a system that distributes the “profit” in proportion to the operations carried out by the cooperative member, this type of structure ends up being more accepted in the market, which increases the excellence and competitiveness of the service provided. The trust between policyholders and the cooperative insurer…