Surprise award indeed a blessing

ASSISTANT MANAGER OF PENSIONS Lea Payne has been with the Insurance Corporation of Barbados (ICBL) since June of 2019, not an incredibly long time by most standards, but long enough to make a magnificent impression nonetheless.

Having been at ICBL for just shy of four years, Payne manages third-party group pensions. With external million-dollar clients, she curates their portfolios, ensures that everything is being done above board and in accordance with compliance, while also reaching out to the stakeholders to let them know how their plan is performing, addressing administrative issues, and how ICBL can solve their problems.

It’s a lot to take on but, according to Lea Payne, she has most definitely enjoyed her time at ICBL. “ICBL has really enhanced my customer service skills and also my communication skills. I know in COVID we weren’t really getting to see a lot of persons but still being able to reach out to our clients via phone and ensure that the brand is still out there, that we’re still doing a positive job and to just, in those difficult times, reach them and let them know we’re still here.”

Even in the digital age, where everything is virtual, ICBL is still a call away. And Payne prides her team on running everything correctly and smoothly. This is why she was named Employee of the Year for 2022 at ICBL

“It was unexpected because COVID was a very different time. Performing to the max or being recognised for giving that extra effort, when everybody is giving their extra effort to get their head around this unknown thing is, was a blessing,” said Payne.

“Who doesn’t like recognition?” emphasised Payne, “Before I came on, we had a client who was disgruntled and wanted to leave. When I heard that, I worked with her to turn that around and she stayed with us and remains.”

ICBL retaining customers and living up to their warranted loyalty is due to their collaborative nature and teams working in conjunction to facilitate an admirable output. The collaborative aspect of the core values of ICBL speaks to each facet of the organisation that strives to impress and live in line with integrity, continuous improvement, collaboration, and courage.

Having integrity enough to address shortcomings and being bold enough to bring in extra aid is a courageous act. These are also the means to forge forward towards continuous improvement. For her efforts, Payne was awarded with a trophy to commemorate her gumption, a cruise, Cave Shepherd cash, and an extra week of paid vacation.

For Payne, “My near future is definitely staying with ICBL and helping to continue with positive brand awareness. Broadening and expanding my horizons with ICBL through things like the Registered Retirement Savings Products is high on my list. ICBL sees my worth and I see their worth. I would always recommend ICBL to anyone because the company helps advance you and I really admire that.”