100 Women in Insurance

052: Gender equality insurance products, Endometriosis and Career pivots with Hayley Budd

This episode is sponsored by Apollo. 
 
Trigger Warning: 
Please note, from minute 40:24, we discuss Endometriosis, period pain, and fertility, which can be triggering for some. This section was added post-recording as a bonus episode to share our personal experiences, which may be sensitive for some listeners.
 
Summary:
Join us for a fun and laughter-filled episode of the 100 Women in Insurance podcast where Hayley Budd, Class Leader for innovation at Apollo, delves into her squiggly career path, explains the new insurance product "Just Parent" which can help gender equality in the workplace and shares her experience of living with Endometriosis. 
Starting from claims handler, through operations to becoming an underwriter Hayley shares her experience of finding new opportunities, insights on self-promotion and personal growth through career choices we make. 
Key Takeaways:
Self-promotion is crucial for career advancement.
Innovation in insurance is challenging and resilience to failure is crucial skill 
Cultural shifts are necessary for true equality in parental leave.
Embracing change can lead to unexpected opportunities.
It's important to test new career paths to find fulfillment
Creating a supportive and open workplace is crucial for employees dealing with chronic health issues.
Health insurance plays a critical role in managing endometriosis effectively.
Resources:
 
UK accredited Endometriosis Speciality centres
 
About Sponsor:
Apollo is an innovative integrated insurance Group dedicated to providing high quality products and services to clients, brokers, and capital partners at Lloyd’s.
Our wide range of products put us in a unique position where our entrepreneurial approach and service excellence delivers creative and flexible solutions for our clients and partners all in one place.
We have a growing and diverse team of empowered and passionate experts who focus on bringing innovation, data driven decision making and collaboration to every relationship and every risk.
Follow Apollo LinkedIn Page for most recent career opportunities. 
About the Guest: 
Connect with Hayley Budd on LinkedIn
Learn more about Just Parent and its initiatives 
About the Host:
Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn and explore more insights: Sandra’s LinkedIn
Discover the 100 Women In Insurance Collective dedicated to connecting women in insurance: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective.

051: How to be kind and professional at the same time - authentic leadership with Tammy Kocher

Summary
In this episode Tammy Kocher brings positive light and energy into the conversations, whilst sharing her journey into the insurance industry, particularly focusing on her transition into cyber insurance.
She discusses the importance of personal branding, authenticity, and the evolving landscape of leadership in the age of AI.
Tammy emphasizes the need for supportive work environments and the value of personal connections, drawing parallels between her experiences in sports and her professional life.
She concludes with reflections on the legacy she hopes to leave in the industry.
Takeaways
Cyber insurance is an exciting and evolving field.
Career paths can be non-linear, reflecting 'squiggly careers'.
Building a personal brand on LinkedIn is a great way to promote the industry and find unique connections.
Authenticity is key in personal and professional branding.
Leadership must adapt to the needs of diverse teams.
Celebrating small wins is important for team morale.
Personal connections enhance professional relationships.
AI will augment but not replace human critical thinking.
Leaving a legacy of kindness and support is essential.
Resources:
Connect with Tammy Kocher
About the Host:
Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn and explore more insights: Sandra’s LinkedIn
Discover the 100 Women In Insurance Collective dedicated to connecting women in insurance: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective.

050: How to Create Your Own Version of a Happy Career with Claire Fox

Summary:
Join Claire Fox as she offers invaluable coaching advice for those feeling stuck or unhappy in their careers. With a background that spans the insurance industry and law, combined with her passions for acting and coaching, Claire provides insights into taking control of your career path. She discusses the importance of authenticity and setting boundaries, which helps create a supportive work culture.
Key Insights:
Embrace the opportunities to move between careers, allowing personal growth and new challenges.
Use self-reflection to recognise dissatisfaction in your career and take proactive steps to change.
Authenticity in the workplace leads to better relationships and a more fulfilling career.
Setting boundaries is crucial for maintaining well-being and effectiveness at work.
Sound Bites:
"Your career can take so many different paths—it's about finding the one that makes you happy."
"Being kind to yourself and remaining curious can open up a world of opportunities."
"Pursuing creative passions isn't just fulfilling—it's transformative for your professional growth."
Resources:
Connect with Claire Fox on LinkedIn
Find out more about Claire’s book and coaching
About the Host:
Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn and explore more insights: Sandra’s LinkedIn
Discover the 100 Women In Insurance Collective dedicated to connecting women in insurance: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective.

049: Becoming a mum while launching the first US based Pet Insurance Company - From idea to success with Laura Bennett

Summary:
This episode is sponsored by Send.
Join us on for an episode where Laura Bennett shares her inspiring journey through actuary to entrepreneur. From sparking an idea during her MBA to building the first pet insurance company in the US, Laura’s story is one of determination and innovation. As she navigated the complexities of entrepreneurship alongside motherhood, the company, Laura co-funded, grew to an astounding $1.5 billion in sales, showcasing her remarkable impact on the industry.
Takeaways:
Laura transitioned from a traditional actuary role to launching a startup.
Balancing the demands of motherhood with her entrepreneurial ambitions, Laura underscores the importance of having a supportive partner.
Laura candidly discusses the challenges of securing venture capital, highlighting the specific hurdles faced by women in the startup ecosystem.
Sound Bites:
"Starting a company while becoming a mother taught me resilience on an entirely new level."
"Navigating venture funding was as challenging as it was rewarding, leading to monumental success."
Resources:
Connect with Laura Bennett on LinkedIn
About Send:
Send is an award-winning insurance software company. It’s flagship product is an AI-enabled Underwriting Workbench – a single platform from submission to bind, and beyond. The platform helps commercial and speciality insurers around the world drive greater efficiency, control and effectiveness. It has rich out-of-the-box functionality, workflow templates for over 40 lines of business, and proven deployments in multiple geographies.
About the Host:
Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn and explore more insights: Sandra’s LinkedIn
Find out more about 100 Women In Insurance Collective, where we bring together women in insurance to network, enjoy fun events and find their own career success. The vision is to increase gender equality as well as senior female talent retention in insurance.

048: Best Practices for Retaining Female Talent in Insurance, panel discussion recording.

Summary 
This episode is sponsored by Arthur.  
On 12th September, 100 Women in Insurance, Arthur Recruitment, and MS Amlin collaborated on an event titled "Cultivating Inclusive Cultures: Best Practices for Retaining Female Talent in Insurance."  
To capture these incredible insights, we recorded the panel discussion, which included the inspiring women in insurance, Gemma Lines, Vicki Filler, and Susan Andrew.  
The panel discussion explores themes surrounding women's careers in the insurance industry, focusing on the realities of flexible working, the purpose behind returners' programmes and proven strategies to create an inclusive culture that increases female talent retention.  
The panellists share their stories, expertise, and honest views on this topic, offering best practices for making an impact on individuals and organisations.  
Takeaways 
The perception of a lack of senior female talent is misleading. 
Flexible working should be defined by outcomes, not rigid hours. 
Inclusive cultures require understanding and adapting to individual needs. 
Honest conversations are crucial for addressing workplace challenges. 
Instead of returners' programmes, we should focus on hiring women without assumptions. 
Diverse hiring practices must go beyond traditional networks and number targets. 
Retention strategies should prioritise individual development and satisfaction. 
Chapters 
00:00 Introduction and panel overview 03:04 Career paths: choice or chance? 05:54 The gender gap in senior roles 08:50 Flexible working: myths and realities 11:50 Creating an inclusive work environment 14:47 The importance of having honest career conversations 17:54 Returners' programmes: opportunities and challenges 20:49 Diverse hiring practices 24:05 Retaining talent: strategies for success 27:13 Final thoughts 

047: The Benefits of Providing Reproductive Healthcare in the Workplace with Farirai Gora

Summary:
Join Farirai Gora, an independent consultant in the insurance industry, as she shares her journey through her career, starting her own insurance company, and her transformative experiences in the Oxford Executive Leadership Programme.
Her commitment to improving reproductive health support in workplaces is impressive. Farirai’s story is one of resilience and powerful advocacy.
Takeaways:
Explore the pros and cons of contracting a career in insurance.
Learn about the deeper roots of imposter syndrome, often linked to systemic oppression, and how it particularly affects women, people of colour, and marginalised groups.
Understand the urgent need for better reproductive healthcare in workplaces—a need historically overlooked by the insurance industry.
Recognise how ignoring reproductive health can cost economies billions and how addressing it can drastically improve corporate productivity and employee satisfaction.
Find out more about the Oxford Executive Leadership Programme
Sound Bites:
"I fell into insurance like many of us, finding it a rich field for growth and never looking back."
"Contracting gives you the freedom to tackle specialised, complex issues that are often overlooked internally."
"Imposter syndrome reflects deeper systemic issues, impacting those who are often left out of the mainstream narratives."
"Addressing reproductive health in workplaces is not just a healthcare issue but a significant economic concern."
"When companies support reproductive health, they see tremendous gains in loyalty and reduced absenteeism."
Farirai’s insights provide a powerful look into how personal experiences and professional challenges can drive significant industry changes, making a strong case for more inclusive and supportive corporate policies.
About the Guest:
Visit We Are Eden: www.we-are-eden.com
Connect with Farirai Gora on LinkedIn: Farirai Gora | LinkedIn
Interest Form: Join Us
About the Host:
Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn and explore more insights: Sandra’s LinkedIn
Discover the 100 Women In Insurance Collective dedicated to connecting women in insurance: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective.

046: Story of Resilience and Growth with Hamide Tekin Karakaya

Summary
Join us on the 100 Women in Insurance Podcast as Hamide Karakaya shares her compelling journey of resilience and overcoming imposter syndrome. Hamide discusses the unique challenges she faced moving to a new country during the pandemic and navigating a significant cyber attack at her company. She also delves into the power of storytelling through her podcast and the critical role of building relationships in the insurance sector.
Takeaways
Moving to a new country during a pandemic can be challenging, but it also builds resilience.
Imposter syndrome is common, but you can overcome it by asking questions, seeking support, and breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps.
Sharing stories and experiences through a podcast can inspire and connect with others.
Building relationships and networking are essential in the insurance industry for both personal and professional growth.
Emphasising human connection and vulnerability is key to personal and career development.
Sound Bites
"Moving from one country to another in the middle of a pandemic was very challenging."
"I gained more confidence after the cyber attack. I realised I'm good at my job."
"Sharing my podcast with others made me feel more connected and accepted."
Resources
Discover the 100 Women In Insurance Collective dedicated to connecting women in insurance: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective.
About the Host
Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn and explore more insights: Sandra’s LinkedIn
 

045: Finding shared values: The Key to Career Progression with Lorraine Harfitt

Summary
This episode is sponsored by Arthur Recruitment.
Lorraine Harfitt, shares her journey in the insurance industry and discusses significant topics such as career progression, retention, and gender inclusivity. She highlights the importance of finding shared values within an organisation and the value of recognising individual contributions beyond gender. Lorraine delves into the necessity of open conversations and workplace flexibility, particularly for women mid-career. She highlights the value of diversity for businesses and suggests that promoting internal role models and allies can help close the gender gap.
Takeaways
Finding shared values in an organisation is crucial for career progression and job satisfaction.
Open conversations and flexibility in the workplace are essential, especially for women mid-career.
Diversity is a valuable asset for businesses, and promoting role models and allies internally can help close the gender gap.
The insurance industry has made progress in terms of gender inclusivity, but there is still work to be done.
Sound Bites
"Coming up to London was definitely a big turning point."
"A gender-inclusive culture values individuals for their contributions, not their gender."
"The best time to look for a job is when you have a job."
"Diversity is a good thing for businesses and promotes innovation."
Resources:
Discover the 100 Women In Insurance Collective dedicated to connecting women in insurance: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective.
Episode 032 with Gemma Lines - Top Networking Tips for Saving Time and Maximising Your Connections
About the sponsor
Are you ready to take your insurance career or business to the next level? Meet Arthur, your trusted insurance search and recruitment partner. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Arthur specialises in connecting top talent with the biggest names in insurance. They can help you with your next career step or offer dynamic hiring solutions to help you achieve lasting success.
Discover how Arthur can take your career or business to the next level at arthur.co.uk or call 0203 5877 234.
About the Host:
Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn and explore more insights: Sandra’s LinkedIn

044: Redefining networking, career in consulting and the power of vulnerability in Leadership with Veronika Field

Summary:
This episode is sponsored by Send.
Veronica Field, a Director at Deloitte's Insurance Practice, shares her journey in the insurance industry, highlighting the blend of chance and luck that guided her career. She discusses how leveraging her technical background helped her carve a niche in insurance. Emphasising the importance of genuine relationships over superficial networking, Veronica explores the entrepreneurial nature of consulting that allows for shaping one's own destiny. She also highlights the value of vulnerability in leadership and the significant role it plays in problem-solving and building meaningful connections across the industry.
Takeaways:
Embracing chance and luck to guide your career, discovering passions in unexpected places.
Key skills required to become a consultant.
Value genuine relationships over superficial networking to build lasting professional connections.
Leverage authenticity and vulnerability in leadership to enhance problem-solving and inspire your team.
Stay open to new experiences and seize opportunities for both personal and professional growth.
Sound Bites:
"If you don't risk, you don't drink champagne."
"In consulting, the world is your oyster."
"Building genuine relationships with colleagues leads to a sense of connectivity and community."
Send is an award-winning insurance software company. Its flagship product is an AI-enabled Underwriting Workbench – a single platform from submission to bind and beyond. The platform helps commercial and speciality insurers around the world drive greater efficiency, control and effectiveness. It has rich out-of-the-box functionality, workflow templates for over 40 lines of business, and proven deployments in multiple geographies.
About the Host: Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn and explore more insights: Sandra’s LinkedIn
Find out more about 100 Women In Insurance Collective, where we bring together women in insurance to network, enjoy fun events and find their own career success. The vision is to increase gender equality as well as senior female talent retention in insurance.

043: Networking, AI Challenges, and Unexpected Opportunities with Hélène Stanway

Summary:
This episode is sponsored by Send.
Join Hélène Stanway, an independent insurance advisor, as she shares her career journey and key insights. Hélène discusses the value of embracing unexpected opportunities and the continuous pursuit of learning. She explores the role of authenticity in diverse workplace cultures and delves into how AI is reshaping the insurance industry by addressing specific challenges. Hélène also emphasises the importance of developing expertise, continuous training, and the challenges of retaining talent. Additionally, she offers practical tips for effective networking and building professional connections.
Takeaways:
Be open to unexpected opportunities and continuously learn throughout your career.
Adapt to different workplace cultures while staying true to your authentic self.
Focus on the problems AI can solve in the insurance industry and use it to provide better services to clients.
Develop expertise and invest in ongoing training to stay ahead in the industry.
Build connections and network with others to expand your professional opportunities.
Soundbites:
"I think a lot of people go into leadership positions or new jobs and think they have to be brilliant at everything…You don’t have to be"
"You don't have to be the one that completes or fulfils your weakness. Guess what? Somebody else is going to be really good at the thing that you're not good at. So find that person. But double down on the stuff that you're really, really good at."
"Take time to learn and think. Carve out time in your day for learning and reflection."
About Send:
Send is an award-winning insurance software company. It’s flagship product is an AI-enabled Underwriting Workbench – a single platform from submission to bind, and beyond. The platform helps commercial and speciality insurers around the world drive greater efficiency, control and effectiveness. It has rich out-of-the-box functionality, workflow templates for over 40 lines of business, and proven deployments in multiple geographies.
About the Host: Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn and explore more insights: Sandra’s LinkedIn
Find out more about 100 Women In Insurance Collective, where we bring together women in insurance to network, enjoy fun events and find their own career success. The vision is to increase gender equality as well as senior female talent retention in insurance.