Canadian Lawyer InHouse

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019 22 INHOUSE A member of the executive leadership team at Pethealth Inc., a Fairfax com- pany, Harpreet Sidhu focuses on corporate compliance and oversees the legal affairs of the corporation, including litigation, general contracts, employment law issues, mergers and acquisitions, and patent and trademark matters. She also manages gov- ernance and regulatory compliance for the corporation and is responsible for all in- house ethics programs, government affairs and public policy activities on domestic and international affairs. She also oversees legal operations in Canada, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom and manages the day-to-day legal relationship between Pethealth and parent company Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. Sidhu is the solo lawyer in-house, supported by a part-time legal assistant and a full-time compliance manager. INHOUSE: What do you see as the main projects/initiatives you will be focused on for the company in 2019? SIDHU: We are not just an insurance com- pany, we are a part of the entire life cycle of the pet from pet adoption to microchipping to insurance to online retail and pharmacy. The last four years have been a journey of rebuilding at Pethealth. We have grown pro- gressively in the past fi ve years by acquiring the pet insurance book of business from PC Financial and RSA. Each year we have made progress as a team and as a business. As we continue on our journey, the theme for 2019 is growth. We remain focused on continually enhancing the experience and engagement of our team members and are committed to investing in each of our people professionally and personally. This is the key to our overall success and looking after these growth prior- ities is what fuels Pethealth's fi nancial growth for the future with our people, our pet parents and our partners. Given the legal landscape, some of the key initiatives will be enhancing legal education throughout the company. We strongly believe that knowledge is power. We are going to be undergoing security training and awareness programs in 2019 as we have done in the past. Enhancing legal and com- pliance education within the organization will ensure we are able to reach our people, our customer and our partners. We are kick- ing off the year with wellness and stress man- agement workshops, seminars and education for our people. The legal team is also strongly and open- ly involved in customer escalations when it comes to insurance and our microchip busi- ness. We have determined that visibility to our customers is the best approach. With security awareness training and programs in 2019, we can ensure our people know best HARPREET K. SIDHU General counsel, corporate secretary and privacy offi cer, Pethealth Inc., A Fairfax Company Location: Oakville, Ont. Department: One lawyer, one compliance manager and one legal assistant Time in role: Six years VIEW presented by 2019 PHOTO: JOHN HRYNIUK

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