Our History - 75 Years and Counting

Reg Bateman joined the firm as an employee on February the 19th, 1979, bringing with him a strong academic foundation and a sense of ambition. He had graduated from Laurier with an honours business degree in 1975, followed by an MBA degree from York University and Osgood Hall in 1976. With an eagerness for entrepreneurialism and hard work (handed down from his own father), Reg thought he might want to explore owning an insurance agency. He had known Rex & Peter personally, so he approached them to see what the job entailed. They suggested that Reg work for them to see how he liked it. Nine months later they offered him a partnership which he accepted. Reg is deeply committed to his community. He spent 9 years on the Southlake Hospital Board and co-founded a golf tournament that has raised millions of dollars for the foundation. On October 1st, 1981, RIBO came into existence. At that point, Smith Williams & Bateman Insurance Brokerage Ltd. was formally established. Peter and Reg eventually bought Rex and Charlie out (Rex in 1987 and Charlie earlier – however Charlie continued selling life insurance until he later retired). Chris Bateman, Reg’s wife, joined SWB as an employee in 1986 as the Marketing Manager & Personnel Manager. At the end of 1988, Chris bought out Peter. Reg and Chris have each owned 50% ever since. She understands the value of hard work. In a world that constantly evolves, she adapts. She is a woman of action who raised 4 children while growing a business. She is also heavily involved with IODE, a women’s charity. She served as the National President of the IODE for a 2-year term. Beyond the spreadsheets and the strategy meetings, there’s another side to her: one that finds peace in knitting. She understands that something meaningful takes time, care and attention to detail. Together, they had 4 children: Courtney, Aynsley, Spencer and Harrison. All four of them have found careers in the insurance industry.