#3
JUAN CAZCARRA
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER – JUBILEE HOLDINGS
As American activist Ralph Nader declares, “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” This philosophy resonates deeply with Juan Cazcarra, Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Jubilee Holdings. Since joining the company in 2021, Cazcarra has been instrumental in navigating one of East Africa’s most prominent financial institutions toward innovation and growth.
As COO, working under the Group CEO Dr. Julius Kipng’etich, Cazcarra’s scope of responsibility spans across operations, finance, strategy, procurement, digital transformation, and customer experience. His role is pivotal in ensuring that Jubilee remains not only a leader in the regional insurance market but also a forward-thinking force driving technological advancement. With technology rapidly changing and therefore reconfiguring operations, Cazcarra is a key figure in introducing initiatives that leverage digital tools to enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement.
One of Cazcarra’s major achievements has been his contribution to the development and launch of J-Force, an innovative digital platform designed to transform the way insurance is sold and managed. While the platform’s success is a collective effort, Cazcarra’s leadership has been vital in overseeing its rollout and ensuring it meets the needs of both agents and customers. J-Force streamlines the insurance process by offering agents the ability to issue policies, track renewals, and manage commissions within a paperless, mobile-friendly environment. This has revolutionised how insurance agents, brokers, and bancassurers engage with clients, making the process more efficient and accessible across East Africa.
Jubilee’s expansion of J-Force into Uganda is a recent milestone that underscores its growing impact. The platform’s success in Uganda speaks to its user-friendly design and its ability to simplify the client management process. Cazcarra’s endorsement of the platform highlights his forward-thinking approach, “J-Force represents the future of insurance, where efficiency meets customer-centric service.” Through such initiatives, the group is making significant strides toward increasing financial protection and inclusivity in the East African region.
Before joining Jubilee, Cazcarra held several leadership positions in multinational organisations, most notably with AXA. As CFO and COO at AXA General Insurance Indonesia, he managed a team of over 100 people, overseeing finance, claims, actuarial services, IT, and customer support. His tenure at AXA included time as Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and Chief Risk Officer (CRO) for AXA Serbia, where he played a critical role in strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate finance. Cazcarra’s wide-ranging experience has sharpened his expertise in operations and financial management as well as shaped his ability to lend a helping hand to the Group CEO in leading large, diverse teams in complex environments.
Beyond the day-to-day activities, Cazcarra serves as a member of the Jubilee Holdings Executive Board, where he oversees a range of critical functions including digital transformation, strategy, marketing, and corporate communications. His strategic input has been invaluable in steering the organisation through transformative changes while maintaining a sharp focus on growth and customer satisfaction.
Cazcarra’s foundation in business management is built on a multi-discipline academic journey that spans both legal and business management. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Universidad Pontificia Comillas and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Universidad de Zaragoza both located in Spain.
Looking ahead, Cazcarra remains a committed top C-suite executive that is shaping Jubilee Holdings into a more agile, customer-focused, and technologically driven insurance group. “Our mission is to create financial and insurance products that are innovative, inclusive and simplify the experience for our customers, making insurance more accessible for everyone and increasing the insurance penetration in the East African region,” he opines.
While leading his team, Juan Cazcarra emphasizes the importance of fostering a resilient and innovative workforce, capable of navigating the fast-evolving financial and technological landscapes. At the same time, his human-centric leadership ensures that his colleagues and those under his guidance feel supported, empowered, and valued.
AUTHOR: MARTIN O’NEIL
EDITOR: DR. HANNINGTONE GAYA
