Empower Talks - Insurance Careers

Sam talks with Joanna Hitchcock, Underwriting Manager at AIG about her exceptional career path, marked by five promotions in seven years, her ventures in international roles, and her fearless approach to stepping out of her comfort zone.

With less than a decade in the insurance industry, Joanna's rise to success is impressive. Uncover the key factors driving her achievements, from her unwavering determination to her passion for tackling challenges head-on.

Sam talks to Joanna about her international relocations to Paris and Dubai, and the obstacles she faced along the way. Joanna talks about the experience and broader industry insights she gained during these periods and how she embraced and learned from the challenges presented by new cultural environments.

Joanna Hitchcock's journey serves as an inspiration, showcasing the power of resilience, adaptability, and embracing opportunities. Listen to this episode to gain invaluable insights for your own career development and growth.

Joanna’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-hitchcock-bsc-hons-acii-203b38153/

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Sam talks with Mike Burle, Head of Marine & Deputy Active Underwriter at Liberty Specialty Markets, in an engaging conversation that explores various aspects of the insurance industry. With 30 years of experience, Mike brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to the discussion.

Beginning the conversation, Sam delves into Mike's journey and how he entered the insurance field. They uncover some of the milestones that led him to his current role, highlighting experiences that helped shaped his career.

Sam and Mike delve into the qualities that define a ‘good boss’ in the insurance industry. Mike shares his perspective, emphasising the importance of a growth mindset and continuous personal development, which are vital for progressing in this rapidly evolving industry.

Peering behind the curtains of a large corporate insurer, Mike offers valuable insights into the inner workings of such organisations. Mike unravels some of the intricacies and complexities of the industry, providing a unique perspective on navigating its challenges.

Reflecting the digital age, Mike shares his chosen word of the year: "Visibility." He underscores the significance of maintaining an active online presence and how it can positively impact professional growth and opportunities within the insurance industry.

Mike offers his opinion on the future of working in insurance and the future of Lloyds marketplace, providing a glimpse into the potential transformations and innovations that lie ahead.

Drawing from his experience, Mike imparts invaluable advice on progressing and thriving in insurance careers. His wisdom and expertise serve as a valuable resource, providing practical strategies for professional growth and advancement in this dynamic industry.

Links

Podcasts mentioned:

https://www.thevoiceofinsurance.com/

https://stevenbartlett.com/the-diary-of-a-ceo-podcast/

https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-learning-development-podcast/id1466927523

https://hbr.org/podcasts

https://hbr.org/2018/01/podcast-women-at-work

Other links mentioned that we hope you find interesting:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chimp-Paradox-Management-Programme-Confidence/dp/009193558X

https://www.insuranceinsider.com/

https://www.slipcase.com/

https://www.lloyds.com/news-and-insights/lloyds-lab

https://insurtechuk.org/

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This is a special edition of Empower Talks, featuring our Client Solutions Manager, Claire Shepherd, in the interviewer's seat as she chats with Sam about the latest news and updates from Empower Development. In this episode, Sam reflects on the company's most exciting successes since their last podcast 12 months ago and shares some hopes and goals for the future. Listeners can expect to hear Sam discuss the company's 5-year anniversary party, her trip to New York, TikTok, BIBA, and her recent front-page feature interview in The Journal, as well as much more. Don't miss out on this exclusive episode!

RELATED LINKS:

Springboard Networking Events:

https://empowerdevelopment.co.uk/young-professionals/

Sam’s feature article in The Journal:

https://thejournal.cii.co.uk/2023/03/02/interview-samantha-ridgewell

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@empower.development?lang=en

Claire and Sam’s podcast 12 months ago:

https://shows.acast.com/empower-talks/episodes/samantha-cockcroft-empower-developmenr

Emma’s Podcast:

https://shows.acast.com/empower-talks/episodes/emma-ackers-learning-specialist-at-empower-development

Tosin’s Podcast:

https://shows.acast.com/empower-talks/episodes/tosin-falope-senior-training-consultant-at-empower-developme

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Sam sits down with Tosin Falope, a Senior Training Consultant and the newest member of the Empower Development team, to discuss her career journey and her perspective on the insurance industry. With a background in fashion and data science, as well as a strong interest in psychology and DE&I, Tosin shares her first impressions of the industry, highlighting the diversity of its culture and the broad range of networks she has already encountered.

Tosin also discusses her recent completion of a counselling skills course and her certification as a Mental Health First Aider. She expresses her eagerness to attend an upcoming course that will enable her to conduct SDI (Strength Deployment Inventory) courses on behalf of Empower Development. This leads to a candid discussion where Sam shares a very personal experience and how SDI has helped her gain insight into how she manages conflict and reflects on her behaviour during a particularly stressful period in her life.

RELATED LINKS:

The Diary Of A CEO – Professor Steve Peters:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1hqsr5mkzA

The Chimp Paradox by Professor Steve Peters:

https://chimpmanagement.com/books-by-professor-steve-peters/the-chimp-paradox/

A Path through the Jungle by Professor Steve Peters:

https://chimpmanagement.com/books-by-professor-steve-peters/a-path-through-the-jungle/

Empower Talks - Helen Gemmell:

https://shows.acast.com/empower-talks/episodes/helen-gemmell-casualty-portfolio-underwriter-at-ki

Empower Talks – Teni Tijani:

https://shows.acast.com/empower-talks/episodes/teni-tijani-founder-of-ladies-that-lunch-and-associated-unde

Springboard Events:

https://empowerdevelopment.co.uk/young-professionals/

Tosin’s LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tosin-falope/

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On this episode of Empower Talks, recorded on 26th October 2022, Sam talks with Employment Lawyer and friend, Deborah Margolis about chess club and ‘quiet quitting’ (mostly ‘quiet quitting’ – sorry chess fans!).

Throughout the chat Sam & Deborah find themselves looking at the topic from an assortment of angles, dissecting what they think motivates someone to decide to ‘quiet quit’, and then share their choice on TikTok.

Sam, with her HR background, and Deborah from an employment law perspective, pose and consider a host of questions surrounding this highly emotive topic, including:

Is it unique to Gen Z or has it been around for a long time?

Does it stem from the individual, the manager, or the company culture?

What to do if you encounter ‘quiet quitting’ in the workplace?

RELATED LINKS:

Sam’s ‘Quiet Quitting’ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@empower.development/video/7151340496357559557

Deborah’s ‘Quiet Quitting’ article: https://hrnews.co.uk/quiet-quitting-when-does-acting-your-wage-cross-the-line-and-what-is-the-employment-risk/

The Diary Of A CEO, John Eckbert (Five Guys), Hiring the best people: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGSZqhFFhoI

Deborah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahmargolis/

GQ|Littler LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gqlittler/

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Sam talks with Claire Davey (aka Cyber Claire) about her move from the corporate world, back to academia. During this transition Claire founded her own business as a Cyber Security & Risk Management Specialist & Trainer and tells how she has managed to juggle a full time PhD with the demands of a full-time entrepreneurial business.

Claire’s love of learning has seen her amass a host of qualifications including her ACII, Masters, CISSP and most recently, completing a PhD in the field of alcohol/sobriety/identity.

Sam and Claire hare their thoughts on the drinking culture in the insurance industry, the relationship between alcohol and networking/socialising, and Claire’s decision to stop drinking.

RELATED LINKS:

https://www.cyberclaire.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-g-davey/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/cyberclaire/

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Sam talks with Hayley Budd about their time working together at Liberty and Hayley’s journey into the ‘clandestine world of innovation’.

Hayley built her own niche career to follow her passion and shares how she created a movement and innovation community within her organisation alongside her day job. She discusses how she took the work she was doing ‘off the side of her desk’ into a role as a Business Analyst where she began moulding the job into what she wanted.

After a decade working at the same company, Hayley tells Sam about her move into product innovation and the challenges she encountered being a new face in a completely different culture during a pandemic, and how she learnt the importance of social capital along the way.

In this episode, Hayley addresses some of the key questions facing innovation in insurance, looking at:

How we create the Insurance Company of the future?

How we create new operating models?

What does the underwriter of the future look like?

Related Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayleyrosebudd/

https://www.lloyds.com/

https://www.lloyds.com/news-and-insights/lloyds-lab

https://www.instech.co/

https://www.instech.co/sites/instech.london/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/files/instech-london-parametric-insurance-2021-overview-preview.pdf

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Sam talks with talent and recruitment authority Simon Evans about the challenges of attracting and retaining talent to the insurance industry. Sam and Simon tackle the complex issue of the ‘War for talent’, looking at how and why it has impacted the industry, what is being done about it, and what can be done to bridge the current skills gap.

Simon shares with Sam what he has learnt on his journey from the world of banking to Head of International Talent Acquisitions for AIG. He discusses the benefits of working in insurance over banking and provides valuable guidance for those who are considering embarking on a career in insurance.

Whether you’re interested in interview technique, what companies are looking for in candidates, or how best to progress within your organisation, this episode has something for everyone.

Related links:

Simon’s LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonnevans/

Springboard - Empower Development’s Networking Event

https://empowerdevelopment.co.uk/young-professionals/#springboard

Books recommended by Simon:

‘Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance’ by Angela Duckworth

https://amzn.eu/d/8Ud5ozU

‘Start With Why’ by Simon Sinek

https://amzn.eu/d/1UNveMj

‘The Infinite Game’ by Simon Sinek

https://amzn.eu/d/h98cIQO

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Sam talks to self-starter, Yasmin Carter-Esdale about their shared passion of engaging young talent and encouraging them into the Insurance profession.

Yasmin entered insurance at the age of 17 and her journey from Motor Risk Call Centre to Development Underwriter at Hiscox (as well as CII Columnist, DEI Thought Contributor & Partnership’s lead at ican) has given her a unique insight into how companies can attract the next generation of insurance professionals and how best to develop them to reach their career potential.

Sam talks to Yasmin about her recently co-authored report advocating mandatory qualifications for insurance brokers, as well as how she uses social media to build her brand across the insurance industry.

Yasmin’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmincarter-esdale/

CII Flagship Talent Programme: https://www.cii.co.uk/new-generation-programme

Startup Sherpas: https://startupsherpas.org/

Hugo @ Startup Sherpas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugopickfordwardle/

Networks:

NGIN: https://www.nginlondon.com/

C.I.I.I.I.L.Y.M.C.: https://www.iilondon.co.uk/home/about-us/young-members

Under 35s Reinsurance Group: https://www.under35s.com/

Marine U35s Insurance Group: https://www.marineu35s.co.uk/

The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network (ican): https://www.i-can.me/

Kiwis in Insurance: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12153857/

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Sam talks to Insurance Innovator Paolo Cuomo about his journey from management consultant to his role working with the Analytics & Advisory Team at Gallagher Re.

Sam and Paolo first met at The Worshipful Company of Insurers (WCI) and discuss the philanthropic possibilities presented by the organisation, specifically Paolo’s association with iWIN – The insurance women's inclusivity network.

Paolo shares his insights on the future of the London Markets and the importance, and challenges, of implementing innovative technology in the Insurance Market as a whole.

RELATED LINKS

You can get in touch with Paolo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolocuomo/

The Worshipful Company of Insurers: https://www.wci.org.uk/

iWIN – The insurance women's inclusivity network: https://www.iwin-wci.co.uk/

InsTech London: https://www.instech.co/

City Quantum Summit: http://www.robinsonhambro.com/city-quantum-summit

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