HOWICK MUTUAL INSURANCE IS AN ONTARIO MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY LOCATED IN RURAL ONTARIO AND WAS ESTABLISHED IN THE YEAR 1873. HOWICK MUTUAL IS AN INDEPENDENTLY OPERATED INSURANCE COMPANY, IN BUSINESS FOR OVER 150 YEARS.

 Howick Mutual is an Ontario Farm Mutual Insurance Company established in 1873. Howick Mutual and Grey & Bruce Mutual Insurance amalgamated in January 2014 and operated out of both Wroxeter and Hanover, Ontario until November 2018. November 19, 2018 marked the first day of operations in a new office facility located outside of Wingham, Ontario.

We are a locally owned and independently operated property and casualty insurer, governed by a Board of 9 Directors which are elected by our policyholders. Learn about our Director Qualifications.

We are a proud to be an “Ontario Mutual” company as we are owned by our policyholders, who are the most important aspect of our existence. We do not have shareholders. Through our own Guarantee Fund and Reinsurance Plan, we are backed by every mutual in the system. Visit our Benefits of a Mutual page to learn more about why it is a benefit to insure with an Ontario Mutual.

With Howick you enjoy the benefits of a local company that understands the importance of quality service and community involvement. Our strength and stability for over 140 years is a result of our quality people, our innovative and progressive products and our exceptional customer service. We approach everything we do with our vision and mission statements in mind.

       Our Vision Statement:
       “Minding the Past, Protecting the Present, Sustaining the Future.”

 Our Mission Statement:
“Providing responsible risk management and commitment to our community, the Howick Mutual Way.”

 

 

2024-2025 Board of Directors

Image of Steve Wright
Steve Wright - Board Chair

Steve joined the Board of Directors in 2013. He has completed his OMIA and NAMIC Farm Mutual Director Certifications. He is a Certified Advisor by the American Society of Agronomists for the past 25 years.  Outside of Howick Mutual, Steve works as an insurance adjuster with an Ontario government agency and has been employed there for the past nineteen years.  Steve is a fourth-generation farmer in the Belmore area where he and his wife raised four children. He appreciates the many connections he has made with the area community through his work, volunteer time, and leisure interactions. In his spare time, he enjoys curling and spending time with his family.

 

 

Image of Bil Graham
Bil Graham - Vice Chair

Bil joined the Board of Directors in 2017.  Bil is retired from Bell Canada after a 31-year career where he held a number of management and executive positions including Vice President of Operations in Ontario. Bil is a graduate of the 4-year Civil Engineer Technology Program at Fanshawe College and continues to maintain his Certified Engineering Technologist designation. Bil has completed both the NAMIC and OMIA Director Certification programs.  He is actively involved in his community and is a member of the Howick Fire Department.  Bil and his wife Sonya reside in the village of Gorrie. They have two children and three grandchildren.



Image of Brian Laporte
Brian Laporte - Past Chair

Brian has been a member of the Board since 2012.  He enjoys taking part in any industry-related training and education and is proud to be part of the mutual system.  He holds certification in both the OMIA and NAMIC Farm Directors Certification Programs.  Brian also serves on the Board of the Valley of Barrie – Learning Centre for Children with Dyslexia.  He has spent many years volunteering with the Meaford Amateur Athletic Association as a coach, trainer, and Executive Member for the ball and hockey programs.  Brian and his wife raised their family in Meaford.  This is where he spends his days working at Cliff Richardson Boats Ltd., a family-owned business. His spare time is spent with family and friends enjoying camping, curling, and attending Owen Sound Attack Junior A hockey games.

Image of Jacquie Bishop
Jacquie Bishop - Director

Jacquie has been on the Board since 2009. She has completed both the NAMIC and OMIA Director Certification programs.  Jacquie is an Elections Ontario Provincial Returning Officer for Huron Bruce and the Elections Canada Field Liaison Officer for Southwestern Ontario.   Jacquie has been an active volunteer in her community in many areas including  4-H,  Huron Hiker Tour, Shunpiker Tour, Huron Tourism Association, International Plowing Match 2017 and is a Board member of the Blyth Centre for the Arts. Jacqui is a proud mom of three girls and three grandchildren.  She resides near Bluevale where she and her husband operate a third-generation swine, sheep, and cash crop farm.



Image of Jeff Bloemberg
Jeff Bloemberg - Director

Jeff joined the Board in January 2022 and has completed the OMIA Directors Certification Program.  Jeff is a self-employed investment advisor for the past 16 years and his other past endeavours include time in retail and 12 years in professional hockey.  He currently serves as a Director for the Wingham & District Hospital Foundation, as well as participating in various Board positions at his church.  Jeff, his wife and 5 children reside in Wingham.  Jeff is actively involved in volunteering in his community and has coached hockey, baseball, and soccer over the years.  





Image of Jeff Consitt
Jeff Consitt - Director

Jeff was welcomed to the Howick Board of Directors in March of 2024.  Prior to coming to Howick, Jeff was the Senior VP and COO at Farm Mutual Re, leading IT, Innovation, Data & Insights, Business Operations, Project and Change Management.  He has also been a Board Member of Canadian Association of Mutual Insurance Companies since 2012, serving as Chair in 2020 – 2022.  Jeff earned his Master of Business Administration from the Ivey Business School, and is a Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP).  When not at work, Jeff enjoys playing golf, fishing and traveling.





Image of Annette MacKenzie
Annette MacKenzie - Director

Annette joined the Board in 2020.  She brings with her over 25 years experience from the agriculture, manufacturing, and public accounting sectors.  Through her work, she has acquired diplomas and designations in the areas of legal, accounting, payroll, and human resources.  Annette has served on various community Boards and Committees and continues to volunteer her time.  In her short time on the Board, she has successfully completed the OMIA and NAMIC Farm Director Certification Programs.  Annette resides near Lucknow with her husband and four children, where they operate a mixed farming partnership and an excavation business.


Image of Mary Ann Peel
Mary Ann Peel - Director

Mary Ann joined the Board in 2021.  She has completed both the OMIA and NAMIC Director Certifications.  Mary Ann is a graduate of a 3-year Business Administration-Accounting Program at Fanshawe College.  She currently serves as a Director for the Wingham & District Community Living Board, and has previously volunteered as a soccer coach for Wingham Minor Soccer, companion for seniors and support staff for North Huron Food Share.  Mary Ann and her husband Nathan are owner/operators of Peel Dominium, a fourth-generation dairy and cash-crop farm business near Bluevale.  She enjoys spending time with her 6 children and 11 grandchildren.


Image of Tom Sweiger
TomSweiger - Director
Tom has been a Director for the Howick Mutual since 2014.  Prior to that, he was a Director for Grey Bruce Mutual since 1992.  Tom is accredited in the OMIA Farm Directors Certification and NAMIC Farm Directors Certification Programs.  Tom is active in his community, currently as Chair and long-term member of the Chesley Hospital Foundation, the Coordinator of the Canadian Foodgrains, Dobbinton, and is a financial reviewer for the Saugeen Field Naturalists.   He is a former Director for the Bruce County OFA.  Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and farms with his brothers in Bruce County




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