100 Women in Insurance

026: Successful journey from Grad Scheme to Specialised Underwriting with Emma White

Summary
Emma White, a senior underwriter at Liberty Specialty Markets, shares her journey in the insurance industry and her specialisation in fine art and species insurance. She discusses the benefits of graduate schemes and offers advice on making the most of these programs.
Emma also highlights the challenges of transitioning from a graduate scheme to a full-time role and provides insights on career progression. She delves into the world of fine art insurance, explaining the diverse range of items that can be insured and the global nature of the industry. Emma also discusses her involvement in committees and networks, emphasising the importance of collaboration and open-mindedness. She concludes by reflecting on the unique experiences and opportunities she has had in her insurance career, particularly in terms of travel and meeting people from different backgrounds.
Takeaways
To make the most of a graduate scheme, be proactive, say yes to opportunities, and build relationships with colleagues.
Transitioning from a graduate scheme to a full-time role may require patience and persistence, but staying dedicated and open to learning can lead to career progression.
Fine art insurance involves insuring a wide range of items, including artwork, fossils, and high-value interests like cash and precious metals.
Involvement in committees and networks can provide valuable experiences, opportunities for personal growth, and a platform for collaboration and idea-sharing.
Graduate schemes provide valuable opportunities for learning, networking, and exploring different areas of the insurance industry.
A career in insurance can offer unique experiences, such as travel and the chance to meet people from diverse backgrounds.

025: Navigating Opportunities and Relationships for a Successful Career in Insurance with Vicky Carter

Summary
We are a quarter of the way to the 100 Women in Insurance Goal!
In this conversation, Vicky Carter, Chairman of Global Capital Solutions International at Guy Carpenter and Deputy Chairman of the Council of Lloyd's, shares her journey in the insurance industry and discusses the importance of taking opportunities and building relationships.
She emphasizes the need for diversity and inclusion in the industry and highlights the role of insurance in a changing world.
Vicky also talks about the value of honesty and bringing your whole self to work. She encourages young professionals to join the insurance industry and make the most of its opportunities.
Takeaways
Take every opportunity that comes your way, even if it's not part of your original plan.
Build strong relationships based on trust and honesty.
Embrace diversity and inclusion to bring different perspectives and skill sets to the industry.
Insurance is critical in managing risk and supporting societies in a volatile world.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by our podcast guest in this episode are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of their employer or any other organization with which they may be affiliated. The guest is speaking in their personal capacity, and any information or statements made should be attributed to them individually. Our podcast aims to provide a platform for diverse perspectives, and the opinions expressed by guests are not endorsements by the podcast or its host. Listeners are encouraged to consider multiple viewpoints and form their own conclusions.

024: From returner to role model: Navigating Motherhood, Career, and Leadership with Laura Harvey

In this episode, Sandra speaks to the amazing Laura Harvey, Director and Head of the Property Desk at the Davies Group. Laura is a mum of two beautiful children and was highly commended at the 2023 Women in Insurance Event for the most inspiring returner.
Laura shares her journey in the insurance industry and discusses the challenges faced by women, particularly during key life stages. She emphasizes the importance of open and honest conversations between employees and employers and the need for supportive policies and a culture that recognizes and accommodates personal needs.
Sandra and Laura also discuss the issue of sexual harassment at industry events and suggest ways to prevent such behaviour. For example, it highlights the importance of team-building activities that cater to the needs of all participants and move away from a heavy drinking culture. Instead, create fully inclusive events that challenge the norm and change behaviours.
The conversation also emphasizes the importance of thinking outside the box for networking events and the value of smaller, more intimate gatherings.
There is a lot to take away from this episode, and we hope you enjoy it.
Takeaways
Open and honest conversations between employees and employers are crucial for navigating personal and professional challenges.
Supportive policies and a culture that recognizes and accommodates personal needs are essential for retaining and empowering employees.
Companies should strive to prevent sexual harassment at industry events by creating inclusive and respectful environments.
Flexibility in working arrangements benefits employees and the business, increasing productivity and employee satisfaction. The insurance industry should move towards more engaging and inclusive events.
Create team-building activities that cater to the needs of all participants.
Shift away from a heavy drinking culture at events.
Challenge the norm and change behaviours to create fully inclusive events.
Think outside the box for networking events and provide options for staff members.
Value smaller, more intimate gatherings for better networking opportunities.
Experience the diversity of the insurance industry and learn from different perspectives.

023: From Actuarial to InsurTech Founder and Imposter Syndrome Along the Way with Bijal Patel

Summary
Bijal Patel, co-founder and CTO of Aurora, shares her journey from actuarial to digital commercial InsurTech. She discusses the importance of finding happiness in work and how to navigate career transitions.
 
Bijal also opens up about imposter syndrome and the challenges of being a leader in a startup. She emphasizes the value of building a strong culture and the power of reaching out to others for inspiration and guidance.
 
Takeaways
Finding happiness in work is crucial for career satisfaction.
When considering a career change, focus on what you enjoy and what brings you value.
Building a strong culture and values is essential for a successful team.
Imposter syndrome can be overcome by recognizing your strengths and focusing on your intentions.
Reaching out to others for guidance and inspiration can lead to valuable connections and opportunities.
Thanks to Send (https://send.technology/) for sponsoring this this episode.
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 specialty 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.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:09 Choosing Actuarial Role
06:10 Transitioning to Commercial Insurance
08:10 Finding Happiness in Work
09:20 Building a Network and Exploring Options
10:32 Transitioning to a Startup
14:11 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
15:47 Developing Confidence
19:09 Becoming a Leader
20:18 Finding Your Leadership Style
23:13 Building a Strong Culture
25:05 Bringing Talent Together
27:06 The Reality of Starting a Business
29:53 Skills and Traits in Startups vs. Corporations
32:15 Advice for Your Younger Self
33:13 Opportunities in Insurance
35:07 Reaching Out and Inspiring Others

022: Navigating Career Break and Work-Life Harmony, whilst building a successful career with Sarah Sutton

Sarah Sutton, Chief Marketing Officer at Send, shares her career journey from the West End to the insurance industry.
She discusses the importance of being true to oneself and the value of adaptability in one's career. Sarah also emphasises the need for a balance between work and personal life and the importance of celebrating small wins.
She highlights the benefits of working in a startup environment and the opportunities for growth and impact. Sarah also discusses the challenges of perception and diversity in the insurance industry and the need for collective action to drive change.
Takeaways
Be true to yourself and embrace adaptability in your career.
Find a balance between work and personal life and celebrate small wins.
Consider opportunities in both large companies and startups, focusing on alignment with values and culture.
Tap into diverse talent and create inclusive hiring practices.
Challenge the perception of the insurance industry and highlight the commercial value of diversity.
Embrace career transitions and the opportunities they bring.
Focus on the benefits and experiences gained from being in the insurance industry.
Thanks to Send (https://send.technology/) for sponsoring this this episode.
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 worldwide 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.

021: Navigating Career Breaks and Return-to-Work Strategies with Shazia Deenally

Summary
In this conversation, Shazia Deenally shares her career journey in the insurance industry. She discusses her transition from working at Manchester United Football club into insurance.
Shazia emphasises the importance of seeking challenges and growth in different roles and being proactive in career development. She also highlights the significance of supporting social mobility initiatives and broadening horizons for underprivileged communities.
Shazia addresses misconceptions about Ramadan and offers advice for navigating career breaks and returning to work. She emphasizes the importance of communication and seeking support from a strong network.
The conversation explores the importance of honest conversations in the workplace, particularly regarding career progression and support during maternity leave. It highlights the positive experiences that can result from open conversations with line managers.
The impact of maternity leave on career progression is discussed, emphasising the need for communication and support from employers. The conversation also touches on the importance of shortening the period away from work and utilising the skills of returners.
The need for training on supportive conversations and the financial impact of career breaks are addressed. Finally, the value of relationships in the insurance industry is emphasised.
Takeaways
Seek challenges and growth in different roles to expand your skills and knowledge.
Be proactive in your career development and seek opportunities aligning with your goals.
Support social mobility initiatives and contribute to broadening horizons for underprivileged communities.
Communicate your career goals and seek support from your network to navigate career breaks and return to work. Honest conversations are crucial for career progression and support in the workplace.
Open conversations with line managers can lead to positive experiences during maternity leave.
Maternity leave can significantly impact career progression, highlighting the need for communication and support from employers.
Shortening the period away from work and utilising the skills of returners are important for career advancement.
Training on supportive conversations and addressing the financial impact of career breaks are necessary in the insurance industry.
Building relationships is valuable in the insurance industry, providing a network of support and opportunities.

020: TikTok Tales: Sam Ridgewell's Journey from Chance to Empowerment in Insurance

Summary
In this episode, Sam Ridgewell, Managing Director of Empower Development and insurance TikToker, shares her journey in the insurance industry and the impact of social media's impact on promoting careers in insurance, particularly TikTok.
She discusses how her insurance career resulted from chance and how she transitioned to starting her own business. Sam also talks about the importance of personal branding and the challenges of changing her name due to marriage.
She emphasizes the power of social media in changing industry perceptions and provides insights on how individuals can get involved and make an impact through platforms like TikTok. In this conversation, Sam and Sandra discuss the impact of social media, specifically TikTok, in changing public opinion about the insurance industry and attracting young talent.
The conversation highlights the power of building authentic relationships, networking and asking for opportunities.
Takeaways
Opportunities in the insurance industry can arise by chance, and it's important to be open to unexpected paths.
Transparency and open conversations with managers and employers can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes and career progression.
Personal branding is crucial in promoting careers in insurance, and social media platforms like TikTok can be powerful tools for reaching a wider audience.
Contributing to the insurance industry through social media can significantly impact changing industry perceptions and attracting diverse talent.
Consistency, authenticity, and a sense of humour are key when creating content on social media platforms like TikTok.

019: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, and Building a Successful Career with Zoe Parsons

Summary
In this conversation, Zoe P discusses her journey into the insurance industry and her challenges as a young professional. She shares her experiences with imposter syndrome and the importance of self-reflection and positive thinking. Zoe also highlights the significance of diversity and inclusion events and the need for organizations to invest in developing young talent. She emphasizes the value of networking and relationship-building in the insurance industry and encourages women to take the leap and explore new opportunities. Overall, Zoe's story inspires those starting their careers in insurance and highlights the importance of empowerment and support in achieving success.
Takeaways
Overcoming imposter syndrome and anxiety requires self-reflection and positive thinking. Organizations should invest in the development of young talent to retain them and promote diversity and inclusion. Networking and relationship building are crucial in the insurance industry. Women should take the leap and explore new opportunities in the industry.

018: From law to insurance; the importance of finding your tribe at work with Malene Bye Rasmussen

Summary
In this conversation, Malene Bye Rasmussen discusses her career in the insurance industry and provides insights into transitioning from law. She emphasizes the importance of networking and putting oneself out there to explore different career paths. Malene also shares her experience working at Insurance Europe and advocating for the insurance sector. She encourages individuals to find their tribe and connect with colleagues who can provide guidance and support. Additionally, she highlights the impact of insurance in facilitating various aspects of life and business.
Takeaways
• Networking and speaking with colleagues can provide valuable insights and help identify new career opportunities.
• Being open to change and willing to explore different paths can lead to fulfilling careers in the insurance industry.
• Building a diverse network and connecting with individuals from different backgrounds and industries can broaden perspectives and open doors to new opportunities.
• Insurance is crucial in facilitating everyday life and business operations, providing protection and enabling growth.
• Finding your tribe is key to a successful career

017: Beyond the Back Office: Transforming Insurance Careers with Nicola Chapman

Summary
In this conversation, Nicola Chapman, Chief Claims Officer of Consilium Insurance Brokers, discusses her career journey in the insurance industry and the challenges she has faced.
She emphasizes the importance of supportive managers and networks in shaping her career. Nicola also highlights the need to eliminate the term 'back office' and promote equality within the industry.
She shares her experiences of balancing work and personal life and challenges the notion of 'having it all'.
Nicola concludes by discussing the valuable knowledge and experiences she has gained through her work in insurance.
Takeaways
Supportive managers and networks play a crucial role in shaping a successful career in the insurance industry.
The term 'back office' should be eliminated to promote equality and recognize the importance of all roles within the industry.
Balancing work and personal life requires setting boundaries and open communication with employers and colleagues.
The pressure to 'have it all' can be overwhelming, and individuals should prioritize their own well-being and make choices that align with their values and goals.
Working in insurance provides opportunities to gain knowledge and experience in various industries and try new things.
Connect with Nicola on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-chapman-26066b6a/