Guild Insurance Group – it’s a name chosen with purpose. A guild is defined as an association of people with similar interests assembled in pursuit of a common goal, formed for mutual aid and protection. We often use another word for that same concept; a word that’s the backbone of what we do and why we do it. Family.
Our business is a family. Our clients are family. And we’re proud to say we represent the collective strength of many other companies who have joined us throughout the years because they are now part of that family.
We are an insurance brokerage with a history that goes back well over a century. We’ve seen a lot of changes throughout the years. The world is bigger and faster. Technology has revolutionized every industry several times over, including ours. And personal connections are harder to come by but more important than ever.
Our roots date back to the bonds forged by simple handshakes in 1947. Our company has been built by always taking the time to understand our client’s needs and offering them products of real value. We pride ourselves on our dedication to the communities we serve and we embrace the technology that allows us to grow that community beyond physical boundaries.
We have never been focused on building a customer base, we build relationships. We do that through a unique combination of personal service, convenience, tradition, and innovation. We do that by being honest and always protecting our client’s interests. We do that by staying current so we can always offer the products and services our clients expect.
At our core, everything we do is guided by the fundamental principle that insurance is about people. We offer a level of knowledge and dedication that can only be achieved through generations of experience, and we work together as a team and with our clients to develop tailor-made solutions through both in-person and digital platforms.
At Guild Insurance Group, we really do love our business – not because of what it does for us, but because of what it allows us to do for others. We believe insurance is a fundamental part of health, security, and success. We believe in the products we sell or we wouldn’t sell them. We’ve believed these things – and lived these things – for over a hundred years, and we will continue to do whatever it takes to protect our clients and what matters to them most.
After all, that’s what family is for.
OUR ROOTS: WHERE WE STARTED
HMS Insurance Agencies
Moffat Agencies (George Moffat) was purchased by Garth Haubrick in the late 1970s. Kneeshaw Agencies (Howard Kneeshaw) was purchased by Jim Marnoch in 1981. Jim and Garth joined to form Haubrick and Marnoch Insurance Agencies.
Don Scott become an equal partner in 1987 and the brokerage became Haubrick, Marnoch & Scott Insurance Agencies. Garth Haubrick retired at the end of 2004 and at that time the name changed to HMS Insurance Agencies. In 2005, HMS purchased an insurance brokerage book from Carly Robinson Austin, MB.
The Douglas location was purchased from Fred & Alice Wilmont by George Moffatt in the early 1970s. Garth purchased Douglas from George Moffatt in 1975. The location was moved to Sprucewoods (Shilo) in 1992 and then moved into the Canex Mall right in Shilo in 1997.
HMS Insurance merged with Guild Insurance in 2014. During the merger, McLean Agencies in Wawanesa was purchased and Guild Insurance in Virden was formed.
Wallis Agencies Ltd.
Wallis Agencies was formed in 1947 when Luther Wallis signed a contract with Halifax Insurance Co. & Crown Life Insurance Co. In 1949 Luther purchased the E.C. “Bung Cartmell” Agency (Obtained access to Wawanesa Insurance) & in 1950 the A.S. “Bert” Hames Agency (Obtained access to Portage Mutual). Luther then recognized the potential of the business and invited his son Roy Wallis to join him in 1953.
Through the 1960s & 1970s, Wallis Agencies purchased various small brokerages in the surrounding area. In 1980 Roy’s son Randy joined the family business followed by Brent Pringle in 1990 and Cindy Pringle (Wallis) in 1992. The most recent expansion was the purchase of DePape Insurance in Holland, Manitoba. In 2008, the fourth generation joined the business with Kirby Wallis joining the business part-time. On January 1, 2016, Randy Wallis sold his shares to a newly formed company called GHW Investments (Guild/HMS Insurance Group & Kirby Wallis).
They have 3 locations in southwestern Manitoba including Glenboro, Holland, and Baldur.
Guild Insurance Brokers
Guild Insurance Brokers was formed in 1990 when Tramer Andrews Insurance Agency amalgamated with another agency to become Guild Insurance Brokers Inc. In 1994, Guild purchased another local firm (Peters Insurance Agencies), giving the company four Autopac and general insurance outlets and a commercial lines office. In 1997, the commercial lines and two of the Autopac/general insurance outlets were combined at a new home office at 24th Street & Victoria Avenue. Guild relocated its home office to its current location at 2830 Victoria Avenue in 2006. The late Neil Andrews lived by the Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – remains at the forefront of the organization.
At the end of the day, what separates one broker from another, is their ability to proactively service their policyholders, and their knowledge of the insurance industry, products, and different situations that may present themselves to their clients.
Who We Are
“The Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you always do what is in the best interest of the client, then the business part will take care of itself.
At Guild Insurance Group our staff put themselves in our clients’ shoes so they are able to make recommendations based on what they would do if they were procuring insurance for themselves.”
Kelly Marnoch
As Individuals, We Believe In…
- Unique
- Kind
- Dependable
- Honest
- Caring
- Passionate
- Loyal
- Committed to the Golden Rule
What We Do
“Customers are provided with options, explanations and solutions for their needs.
With our experience and knowledge, as well as having multiple insurance companies to choose from, we are able to provide our clients advice and direction throughout the insurance process.”
Sherry Holmstrom
As Your Advisors, We…
- Are Dedicated
- Provide Options & Solutions
- Share Knowledge
- Are Focused
- Are Committed
- Are Self-Managed
- Provide an Exceptional Client Experience
How We Do It
“We depend on one another for support and share knowledge with each other to help one another grow. We challenge and encourage our teammates so we can meet our highest potential, which in turn creates an exceptional client experience.”
Dianne Smith
As A Team, We…
- Coach
- Collaborate
- Lead by Example
- Mentor
- Use Natural Talents
- Are Held Accountable
Why We Do It
“Our staff believes in the community we live in. We give back to the community by volunteering and making donations to many organizations in Brandon and surrounding area. We believe in family, both inside and outside the office. Our clients are our family and are a big part of our success in the community.”
Mandy Harvey
As An Organization, We Believe In…
- Community
- Growth
- Security
- Success
- Innovation
- Independence
- Tradition
- Giving Back
