013: Shifting Perceptions of Insurance Careers with Florence Dennis and Charlotte West

Why should insurance companies invest in the personal development of their new employees through additional events and opportunities?

What opportunities are available to young insurance professionals looking to boost their personal brands?

What is CII New Generation Programme and Insurance Influencer Project?

 

In this episode, we are very pleased to be speaking with two insurance powerhouses: Florence Dennis, Lead Client Advisor at Partners & Charlotte West, Account Executive at WTW

 

In conversation with Sandra Lewin, they discuss their ‘Insurance Influencers’ project developed as part of the CII New Generation Programme, highlighting the importance of repositioning public perceptions of insurance careers and inspiring the next generation of industry professionals.

 

Furthermore, they discuss the importance of insurance companies implementing schemes and opportunities to develop their new talent, in order both to boost retention and interest in the wide range of exciting careers our industry has to offer.

 

Key take aways

• Hear Florence and Charlotte career story
• Find out about the CII New Generation Programme and how it can help you build your personal brand and expand networking circle (with ease)
• Florence and Charlotte share their CII New Generation Programme journey of collaboration on the campaign aiming to dispel misconceptions about insurance careers, which resulted in the ‘Insurance Influencers’ initiative
• Gain tips and insights on how to build your personal brand online
• Learn what insurance companies can improve on to attract more diverse talent
• Find out how to share your experience in insurance and use the ‘Insurance Influencer’ material

Best Moments/Key Quotes

“I think [The CII New Generation Programme] was a great opportunity to get in a room with other future leaders and people who are going to be big in insurance… I've met some wonderful, amazing people on the course.”

 

“[A career in insurance] is not this really boring thing where we all sit in dingy offices and speak to people on the phone all the time. We thought, everyone's got this misconception that insurance is really boring. So we wanted this video that can be shared on social media, thinking about our target audience, being the younger generation. We wanted to capture their imagination, using social media, to shine a light on the industry so that people start thinking, ‘Oh, yeah, it looks quite cool working in insurance’.”

 

“[Social media is] a really powerful tool to influence people. You can use your social media to influence and put things out there positively.”

 

“Job adverts don't do justice to the careers that are actually on offer. There's definitely a lot of work to be done on companies selling themselves. I think insurance companies, brokers and insurers alike, bear responsibility to try and keep the young talent invested once they're in the door, so you can get them in the door [to start with].”

 

“Networking fills me with dread... [but] you have to network. It’s so essential to build your network. So, I put myself in positions where I get to work with people to build my network. [Through] the CII New Generation Programme, I've now expanded my network, not by just walking into a room and having to introduce myself to people. I've worked on a project with them. So now I've probably got a deeper relationship and connection with them and built my network.”

 

Resources

CII New Generation Programme: https://www.cii.co.uk/new-generation-programme

CII – Insurance Influencer: https://www.cii.co.uk/about-us/initiatives/engagement/new-generation-programme/insurance-influencer/

Regional Committees – BIBA: https://www.biba.org.uk/regional-committees/

Next Generation in Insurance Network: https://www.nginlondon.com/

 

About the Guest

Florence Dennis is the Lead Client Advisor at Partners&. She is also the Chairwoman of BIBA East Midlands Committee and the Vice President of CII Leicester. Florence’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/florencedennis/

 

Charlotte West is an Account Executive in the UK Retail Practice at WTW, and a Chair of Next Generation in Insurance Network.

Charlotte’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotteelizabethwest/

 

About the Host

Sandra Lewin started her career in insurance as a broker and has since taken on many different roles. Alongside being a host of this podcast "100 Women in Insurance", she also specializes in helping insurance businesses and professionals establish a social media presence, delivers change programs, and provides one-on-one coaching for women looking to take control of their careers and lives.

Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn and find out more: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sandralewin