
Every now and then, in the fast-evolving world of insurance, we pause to reflect not just on milestones, but on meaning. Turning 20 is one such moment, not because it marks longevity alone, but because it offers a rare lens into what makes a business endure.
For Infiniti Insurance, the story is one of consistency, integrity, and quietly powerful leadership. I had the privilege of sitting down with CEO Sharon Paterson to unpack the journey. What followed was not a conversation about products or premiums, but about people, purpose, and the partnerships that define one of South Africa’s most respected short-term insurers.
When Sharon speaks about the early days of Infiniti, she shows deep appreciation for the journey. “It’s humbling,” she reflected, “to look back and see what’s been built. We started with one product, motor warranty insurance, and a focused vision. That simplicity shaped who we are.”
Founded in 2005, Infiniti quickly proved that a narrow entry point didn’t mean limited ambition. In 2008, the company secured its full license to underwrite all classes of business, a decisive move that unlocked the door to broader markets and more complex risk lines.
From there, the growth was intentional. Divisions were added, engineering, marine, trucking, aviation, construction guarantees, liability, but never just for scale. “Each line was developed around people who brought expertise, energy, and belief,” said Sharon. “It’s not about ticking boxes. It’s about creating real hubs of specialist knowledge.”
That people-first approach runs deep at Infiniti. It’s evident in how the company builds teams, nurtures talent, and partners with brokers and underwriters. Partnership isn’t a marketing slogan, it’s a business model.
“We’ve always believed in co-creating with our partners,” Sharon explained. “We don’t just distribute. We listen, we collaborate, and we innovate together. That’s what has enabled us to stay agile in a complex industry.”
Sharon herself is no stranger to the intersection of leadership and collaboration. She joined Infiniti in 2007 as General Manager, became Executive Director in 2010, and took the helm as CEO in 2013. Her leadership style is grounded in mentorship and strategy, but also in the belief that empowered people drive lasting performance.
“I want our people to question things,” she said. “To own their roles, to challenge the status quo, to grow. Because that’s how the business grows.”
The results are clear. Infiniti Insurance today employs over 70 professionals, with a culture rooted in trust and shared purpose. The company’s evolution into a multi-class insurer has been defined not just by technical excellence, but by values, integrity, transparency, and service.
That human-centred ethos extends into innovation. In 2016, Infiniti launched Infiniti Online, a proprietary digital platform built to meet the needs of modern, tech-savvy clients. But here too, technology is a tool, not the hero.
“The idea was simple,” said Sharon. “Give clients independence. Let them manage their portfolios on their terms. But don’t lose the relationship. Technology should support the human experience, not replace it.”
It’s a perspective that keeps Infiniti grounded, even as it pushes forward. The company is actively expanding its distribution footprint, exploring new market segments, and investing in digital and talent infrastructure to future-proof its offerings.
But growth, for Sharon, also means giving back. Her roots as an educator continue to shape the company’s commitment to bursaries, industry development, and upliftment. “Education is central to transformation,” she said. “And it’s something we’re proud to support, not just because it’s right, but because it’s necessary.”
As the company marks 20 years, it does so with quiet confidence, not celebrating for the sake of a headline, but acknowledging the people and principles that made it possible.
“We’ve built something solid,” Sharon reflected. “And we’ve done it without compromising who we are. That’s the real milestone.”
Indeed, in an industry that often prizes scale and speed, Infiniti Insurance has achieved something far more enduring: trust.
And in doing so, it has shown that the true legacy of an insurer isn’t just written in policies, but in people, partnerships, and the values that stand the test of time.



Infiniti Insurance Celebrates 20 Years of Excellence and Commitment
An Insurer licensed to conduct Non-Life insurance business and an Authorised Financial Services Provider | FSP Number 35914

