Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
LinkedIn:
Timeline
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Taru Singhal

Dubai

Summary

Possessing over 26 years experience in sales, managerial and operational roles for three of the world's top players in the Financial Services industry. A well-qualified, trained and experienced professional with expertise in sales & account management, management of people, client relations, and financial services specializing in institutional sales. Has operated in an environment of continuous change and increasing complexity, with excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills. Strong relationship, communication and presentation skills. A self-motivated, dependable and people oriented manager, driven by the desire to achieve company objectives.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience

Work History

Head of Distribution - Retail

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2022.06 - Current
  • Heading two distribution channels for the organization across the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Qatar
  • Manage ME strategy and business plan to ensure delivery of Zurich ME's core objectives and operational plan with respect to Retail Distribution Channel
  • Promote brand, products and fund proposition, using Radio, and print media
  • Design and implement delivery of Business Plans in region with support of Sales Managers which includes designing and implementing tactical incentives and strategic design of sales process
  • Understand market dynamics and have vision to help support distribution channel to future proof support we get from them
  • Ensure delivery of all objectives that cover Proposition, Sales, Service, Marketing and People customized to Accounts.
  • Streamlined distribution processes by implementing efficient inventory management systems and reducing overall operational costs.

Head of IFA Distribution

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2015.01 - 2022.05
  • Led most profitable and biggest channel in the region.
  • Promote brand, products and fund proposition
  • Design and implement delivery of the Business Plans in region with support of Sales Managers.
  • Understand market dynamics and have vision to help support distribution channel to future proof support we get from them.
  • Worked effectively in fast-paced environment.
  • Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.

Key Account Manager

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2010.05 - 2014.12
  • Promote brand, products and fund proposition to key IFA partner
  • Develop and build professional relationship with key influencers within accounts across all levels of management.

Head of Business Development - Wealth Management & Bancassurance

First Gulf Bank
2008.12 - 2010.05
  • Develop new products and enhance range of products for target market segment
  • Provide market updates & information on all products distributed by the bank
  • Facilitate sales personnel in addressing client queries and sales support
  • Providing periodic departmental review to the Head of Wealth Management & Head of Retail Banking
  • Maintain effective relationships with key business partners for business
  • Implement approved business strategies / plans within agreed parameters and timelines
  • To regularly update and maintain manuals and guidelines to de-risk business for new products launched
  • Provide monthly updates on competition analysis
  • Provide weekly updates on valuations and Loan To Value Ratio for all structured products
  • Monitor, control and activate Margin Calls for all customers as required
  • Lead and motivate the product team for Bancassurance & Wealth Management.

Sales Manager

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2007.03 - 2008.11
  • Promote brand, products and fund proposition to Bancassurance partners
  • Delivery of Sales Targets and Profitability Target by distribution of products and funds through Partners in UAE
  • Design and implement delivery of Business Plans for each account on panel which includes designing and implementing incentives to promote sales
  • Manage accounts by understanding and preempting their growth plans and delivering excellence in service
  • Coordinate with Global Accounts Team to implement and deliver Global initiatives with established players
  • Develop and maintain key distributors to influence and align their product decisions to Zurich product offering
  • Develop and build professional relationship with key influencers within accounts across all levels of management.

Client Services Manager - New Business

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2003.05 - 2007.02
  • Managed the motivation, development and performance of staff in the New Business Team
  • Planned, co-ordinates work and regularly monitored the performance of the team against objectives
  • Managed the relationships with clients, distributors and regional offices
  • Managed the flow of New Business applications from vetting stage to policy issue
  • Kept up to date with changes in company, regulatory and legal requirements, imparting knowledge to the team.

Team Leader - Broker Support

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2002.07 - 2003.05
  • Created a new team to process applications from our Independent Financial Advisors (IFAs), Tied Agents and the Bancassurance channel
  • Provided front line support to the IFA's, Tied Agents and the Bancassurance distribution and all their customers.

Direct Associate - Sales & Distribution

ING Direct Bank
2002.01 - 2002.07
  • Sold range of bank's products, including savings, investment and credit accounts to new and existing customers
  • Offered additional services/ products to existing customers
  • Provided pre-sales & post sales support
  • Adhered to quality standards set out by the bank in relation to the sales conversion rate, service quality and the accuracy of the information provided to the client.

Relocation

2001.10 - 2001.12
Relocated to Canada

New Business Supervisor - Client Services

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2000.08 - 2001.10
  • Managed the motivation, development and performance of staff in the New Business Team to ensure the delivery of an efficient service and the achievement of objectives
  • Provides front line support to the Direct Sales Force/ Regional offices/ Branch offices and all customers/ bank assurance ties etc
  • Maintains information systems - hierarchy / daily New Business reports.

Administrator - IFA Department

Zurich International Life Ltd.
1998.08 - 2000.08
  • Provided proactive supports to IFA's to ensure a high degree of Customer satisfaction
  • Built and nurtured relationships with IFA's and Tied Agents
  • Handled and resolved a wide range of servicing queries to provide information and guidance to all IFA's and Tied Agents.

Administration Officer - Client Services

Zurich International Life Ltd.
1997.02 - 1998.08
  • Responsible for the entire project cycle for set-up of office in New Delhi
  • Assists expatriates with relocation to India
  • Responsible for providing infra-structural support to all team members of the Project Team.

Assistant Executive - Client Services

American Express Bank Ltd - TRS
1995.02 - 1997.02
  • Managed a team of 40 outsource staff to ensure efficient functioning of Centralized Mail Room function, the backbone for Card Operations Centre, through effective planning of resources and tasks
  • Devised and implemented effective controls over mailroom in conjunction with postal and telegraph authorities.

Front Office Staff - Client Services

Maurya Sheraton Hotel & Towers
1993.02 - 1995.02
  • Interface with customers regarding billing & FOREX transactions.

Front Office Staff - Client Services

Park Hotel
1991.08 - 1993.02
  • Responsible for MIS generation, accountability for room and restaurant revenue, and managing shifts.

Education

Mastering Service Design -

Service Design College
01.2024

Diploma in Sales Coaching -

Institute of Commercial Management
01.2012

Sales Management Course -

DBS Associates
01.2010

Production Boosting Sessions -

Practice Builder, Anthony Morris Associates
01.2008

Negotiation Skills Course -

DBS Associates
01.2007

Advance Constancy Course -

DBS Associates
01.2007

Sales Skills Course -

DBS Associates
01.2006

International Certificate for Financial Advisors (ICFA) -

CII
01.2004

Bachelor of Commerce -

University of Delhi
Delhi, India
01.1991

Intermediate Examination -

ICWAI
01.1991

Skills

    • Staff Development
    • Strategic Planning
    • Customer Needs Assessment
    • Decision-Making
    • Customer Relationship Management
    • Mentoring and training
      • Key Account Management
      • Sales Planning
      • Sales Reporting
      • Sales Coaching
      • Key account growth
      • Client Relationship Management

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/taru-singhal-12991425

Timeline

Head of Distribution - Retail

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2022.06 - Current

Head of IFA Distribution

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2015.01 - 2022.05

Key Account Manager

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2010.05 - 2014.12

Head of Business Development - Wealth Management & Bancassurance

First Gulf Bank
2008.12 - 2010.05

Sales Manager

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2007.03 - 2008.11

Client Services Manager - New Business

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2003.05 - 2007.02

Team Leader - Broker Support

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2002.07 - 2003.05

Direct Associate - Sales & Distribution

ING Direct Bank
2002.01 - 2002.07

Relocation

2001.10 - 2001.12

New Business Supervisor - Client Services

Zurich International Life Ltd.
2000.08 - 2001.10

Administrator - IFA Department

Zurich International Life Ltd.
1998.08 - 2000.08

Administration Officer - Client Services

Zurich International Life Ltd.
1997.02 - 1998.08

Assistant Executive - Client Services

American Express Bank Ltd - TRS
1995.02 - 1997.02

Front Office Staff - Client Services

Maurya Sheraton Hotel & Towers
1993.02 - 1995.02

Front Office Staff - Client Services

Park Hotel
1991.08 - 1993.02

Mastering Service Design -

Service Design College

Diploma in Sales Coaching -

Institute of Commercial Management

Sales Management Course -

DBS Associates

Production Boosting Sessions -

Practice Builder, Anthony Morris Associates

Negotiation Skills Course -

DBS Associates

Advance Constancy Course -

DBS Associates

Sales Skills Course -

DBS Associates

International Certificate for Financial Advisors (ICFA) -

CII

Bachelor of Commerce -

University of Delhi

Intermediate Examination -

ICWAI
Taru Singhal