Now, José Diogo Araújo e Silva will take over the financial reins for the MDS Group, contributing to its growth and development.
MDS cements its place in thePortuguese market’s history by becoming the only Portuguese-speaking brokeramong 258 globally authorised to work with Lloyd’s of London.
Lloyd’s is thelargest specialised insurance market in the world, bringing together the mostrenowned professionals to manage emerging or complex risks. A clear indicatorof MDS’s global contribution to the insurance sector and recognition of itsreputation for excellence, service, efficiency, quality and innovation.
TheMDS Group, through its company Iberosegur, extends its expertise and range ofsolutions and becomes a coverholder for specialised insurance, including jewelleryand transportation.
MDSreinforces its reputation for innovation and leadership within the EmployeeBenefits area by purchasing 45% of tech company FlexBen, an expert in the fieldof flexible benefits.
MDS Africastrengthens its commitment to the African market by working with a localpartner to open for business in Mozambique.
João Alvadia takes onthe leadership of MDS Africa, strengthening MDS’s growth strategy in thismarket.
MDS invests in Spainthrough a joint venture with Filhet-Allard, two brokers that are shareholders ofBrokerslink. Filhet-Allard MDS is now a strong Iberian player.
Brokerslinkbecomes a Global Broking Company, offeringprivate investment opportunities to its members in the form of shares.
This evolutionof a firm, comprising 50 shareholders from 40 countries, illustrates itsdynamism and geographical reach and represents a milestone in the growth of acooperative broker network created by MDS in 2004.
MDS RE is created, areinsurance broker operating in Portugal, Africa and Brazil. This is animportant step in the Group’s growth strategy, evidencing its continuouscommitment to specialised insurance and risk consulting services.
As a result of ongoinginvestment in innovation and technology, both in the people and tools they use,and a clear commitment to streamline management processes, MDS developed Phoenix - a cloud-based system thatenables integrated management of the group’s customers, insurers and agents.
MDS celebrates its30th anniversary by hosting an event in Porto that brings together theindustry’s renowned international experts.
José Manuel Fonseca,CEO of MDS Group, is appointed to the Board of Directors of the Council ofInsurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB), the American association of insuranceagents and brokers.
Jorge Luzzi, one ofthe world’s leading experts in risk management, joins MDS Group, taking on theleadership of Herco Global.
With extensive experience in the area of riskmanagement, Jorge was group risk management director of Pirelli, chairman of theFederation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) and is currently chairmanof the Associação Portuguesa de Gestão de Riscos e Seguros (Portuguese RiskManagement and Insurance Association), Apogeris.
Mário Vinhas joinsMDS as deputy country manager. He is currently deputy executive director of MDSPortugal.
MDS begins operatingin Angola through a joint venture with a local investor.
Towers Watson appointsMDS as broking and consulting services provider in the benefits area, combiningMDS’s extensive experience in employee benefits with that of pensions,healthcare and risk management. This partnership evidences MDS’s expertise andresponsiveness when asked to support a renowned global player.
Jacqueline Legrand,after more than a decade working for a large New York broker, joins MDS aschief operating officer. With extensive knowledge and international experience,Jacqueline is an example of MDS’s ability to attract top multi-skilled people witha global perspective.
João Alvadia joinsMDS.
MLearning is created,with the goal to develop and support insurance and risk management knowledge growth.The provision of training coupled with access to a wide range of material and aknowledge centre, enables MDS to capitalize on its experience, skills andimportant partnerships with international players, benefitting the market and customers.
In line with its focuson innovative risk management services and solutions, MDS creates Herco - aspecialist risk consulting and Enterprise Risk Management company.
MDS developsProximity, an online customer portal that enables people to manage theirinsurance portfolio anytime, anywhere. This confirms a commitment from MDS toconstantly innovate, demonstrates its technological knowledge and an ambitionto provide advanced solutions that meet customers’ needs.
MDS launches insurerand reinsurer, HighDome, a captive Protected Cell Company (PCC), with aEuropean focus. MDS is the only Portuguese insurer with this model, underliningits strategy to provide innovative risk transfer tools, alternative to thetraditional insurance market.
The wholesaleplatform MDS Partners is launched.
MDS acquires 50% ofCoral, formerly owned by Salvador Caetano Group, creating MDS Auto, the firstPortuguese broker focused exclusively on the automotive sector.
Lazam-MDS acquires Quórum, whoseCEO, Hélio Novaes, takes over as leader at MDS Brazil.
Suzano Groupacquires 49.99% of MDS SGPS. Further confirmation of a strategy to increaseshareholdings.
Brokerslink’s firstGlobal Conference, held in Hong Kong and attended by numerous international industryexperts.
Launch of FULLCOVER, a creative project published bythe MDS team, sharing their extensive expertise and experience and carryingarticles from renowned international experts across many countries. Recognised asan important tool for sharing and building insurance and risk management knowledge.
InBrazil, acquisition of brokerage firms ADDmakler and Miral. With theseacquisitions MDS consolidates its national presence by doubling its size.
MDS is behind anotherinnovative Portuguese insurance sector project - the creation of SegurosContinente (Continente Insurance), a subsidiary of the Modelo ContinenteHipermercados brand. Providingprotection solutions for private customers via digital and call centre channels,MDS is one of the first European brokers to sell insurance via a retail brand, confirmingits position as a Portuguese pioneer. This operation is still active.
MDS acquires32% of Cooper Gay (currently Ed Broking), a major London reinsurance broker,becoming its largest shareholder. This is the largest ever Portugueseinvestment in the international insurance industry. Undertaken by a broker, itunderlines MDS’s commitment to deliver a global service by accessing the mainmarkets and specialist knowledge.
Federation ofEuropean Risk Management Associations – FERMA - has its forum in Portugal. Thisis one of the largest risk management and insurance meetings in the world,representing an historic milestone for this sector in Portugal.
As president of thehosting association, Associação Portuguesa de Gestão de Riscos e Seguros - APOGERIS - (Portuguese Risk Management and Insurance Association), José ManuelFonseca CEO of the MDS Group, was the event’s chairman. He was vice-president and board member ofFERMA for several years.
Acquisition ofUnibroker positions MDS as the country’s leader in its sector – something itstill holds today.
MDS takes the lead inthe creation of Brokerslink, a partnership between four brokers from different countries.Launched in Porto, this international network of insurance brokers has become arespected global player.
MDS expands itsnational presence by acquiring a local broker and opening an office in Lisbon.
Absorptionof Integridade, the brokerage firm, by MDS Brazil. With this acquisition,Jacques Goldenberg, one of the most widely respected professionals in thesector, joins the MDS group.
The investment in theFrench market is strengthened with investment in Pérouse, a prestigious broker from Lyon, giving rise to Pérouse-MDS.
MDS’s second internationalacquisition takes place with the purchase of 45% of the Brazilian Lazam, owned by the Suzano Group. MDS iscurrently among the largest brokers in the Brazilian market.
MDS Group’s first acquisition in the European marketwith investment in the French Internet broker, FirstAssur.
This move - the first Portuguese investment in aforeign broker - is a clear sign of the Group’s innovative strategy to focus onspecific areas of expertise, create synergies with international players and enternew emerging markets. The acquisition signalled the beginning of a growth inrelationships with affinity businesses and has resulted in MDS now holding a significant position in the domestic market.
Launch of MDS-managedSonae RE, a captive reinsurer and part of the Sonae Group with headquarters inLuxembourg.
José Manuel Dias da Fonseca becomes CEO of MDS. His appointment reflectsa change in the company’s strategic direction, with a vision to become a global leaderin the insurance and risk management sector.
MDS expandsits activity, begins to operate outsideSonae Group and creates the first specialist risk consulting team.
