How Cyril Grew the Insurance Category in France

How Cyril Grew the Insurance Category in France

Cyril Couserge joined ERA Group in late 2021 after more than 20 years working across industry and services sectors, primarily in manufacturing. Throughout his career, he held a variety of senior positions, including Financial Controller, Finance Director, and Human Resources Director, developing broad expertise across finance, people management, legal matters, taxation, and business operations.

Before joining ERA Group, Cyril spent five to six years undertaking interim finance leadership assignments, working with companies across France and internationally. These experiences exposed him to a wide range of organisations facing operational and financial challenges. He frequently encountered businesses with significant opportunities for improvement that remained unaddressed due to local constraints, limited resources, or a lack of specialist expertise.

Recognising the value of his diverse professional background, Cyril began exploring ways to apply his financial, legal, social, and tax expertise through consulting. It was during this period that he discovered ERA Group and saw an opportunity to help organisations improve performance while building an independent career.

Following discussions with the network, he chose to specialise in insurance, a category that combines elements of legal analysis, taxation, financial assessment, and risk management. Today, he serves as ERA Group’s insurance specialist in France, helping clients identify hidden risks, optimise insurance costs, and develop more effective risk management strategies.

What Cyril finds most rewarding is the ability to take a holistic view of a client’s business. Drawing on his experience as a Finance Director, he assesses all relevant aspects of an organisation to identify the most appropriate solutions, balancing both risk management and cost efficiency. This comprehensive approach enables him to deliver meaningful value while helping clients gain a clearer understanding of their overall risk exposure.

He also highlights the flexibility available within ERA Group. Consultants can choose to develop deep expertise in a specialist category, focus on business development, or combine both disciplines. As careers evolve, franchisees have the freedom to expand into additional categories or adjust their focus according to market opportunities and personal interests.

Looking back on his transition, Cyril acknowledges that the most significant challenge is taking the initial step from traditional employment into business ownership. However, he believes the support of the network and the diversity of expertise within the French team create an environment where professionals can find their place and build a successful practice.

Reflecting on his experience, he says:

“The hardest part is taking the first step. You move from being an employee to becoming your own employer, but once you make that leap, there are many opportunities to build the career you want.”

For professionals considering a move from corporate leadership into consulting, Cyril’s journey demonstrates how ERA Group provides the flexibility to leverage existing expertise, develop specialist knowledge, and build an independent business with the support of an experienced and collaborative network.

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