Managing agent

From CEOpedia | Management online

According to the B. Atkin and A. Brooks, the Managing agent means "the appointment of a specialist to act as the organization's primary professional advisor on facility management. This person (or organization) is then responsible for aaranging the appointment of service providers"[1].

Whereas J. Burling said that "A managing agent is, for the purposes of requirements of the Council, an underwriting agent which has permission to manage a syndicate and carry on underwriting and other function for a member (where "underwriting" means, unless the context otherwise requires) the business of underwriting and all related activities including the acceptance of risks, the purchasing of reinsurance and the settlement and payment of claims"[2].

Reason for employment

This solution is used when the organization does not have sufficient skills and knowledge to effectively and efficiently manage. Employment of a person from outside the company with appropriate qualifications makes managing the company more efficient and effective. Additionally, it can positively affect cases where the dissatisfaction with the given service provider does not disclose the other agreements that distinguish poor performance and may create a potential knock-on effect[3].

Managing agent provides the flexibility to client organizations, by finding and maintaining contracts such combinations that best fit for the customer. There is no reason why services should not be outsourced and resolved internally. The management function is particularly important because the client organization uses the managing agent to provide knowledge and evaluation when deciding between insourced and outsourced service delivery[4].

Types of service provider arrangements

On the market-place, we can distinguish four types of service provider arrangements[5]:

  • Managing agent
  • Managing contractor
  • Managed Budget
  • Total facilities management

However, we must remember there is many variations of these types.

Footnotes

  1. Atkin B., Brooks A., (2014), Total Facility Management, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, p. 110
  2. Burling J., (2013), Lloyd's: Law and Practice, CRC Press, New York, p. 151
  3. Atkin B., Brooks A., (2009), Total Facility Management, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, p. 161
  4. Atkin B., Brooks A., (2014), Total Facility Management, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, p. 110-111
  5. Atkin B., Brooks A., (2009), Total Facility Management, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, p. 158


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References

Author: Fryderyk Olchawa