Insurance Business UK Rising Stars 2021

SPECIAL REPORT

Insurance Business UK celebrates 49 young professionals who are bringing a fresh outlook to the UK insurance sector

CONTENTS

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Feature article .............................................. 2 Methodology ................................................ 3 Rising Stars 2021 ......................................... 5 Profiles .......................................................... 6

SPECIAL REPORT

RISING STARS 2021

INSURANCE’S NEXT GENERATION TODAY’S YOUNG talent will be tomorrow’s titans of industry. While many insurers currently have an intense focus on the ethnic and gender diversity of their workforce, that isn’t their only concern. Amid a wave of retirements, insurers and brokerages are also preoccupied with bringing young professionals into the industry – especially ones with skills in emerging areas like IT and data analytics.

To make headway in this area, many companies have launched initiatives

“In the early years of your career, focus on gaining as much experience and technical knowledge as possible. Find the job that will teach you the most, not the one that will pay you the most” Alexander Margolin, Sioma Insurance Consultants

KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GEN Z WORKFORCE

Technology-centric

Socially responsible

Value job quality over salary

Appreciate diversity and inclusion Source: Pacific Prime

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designed to attract and nurture young talent.

Alexander Margolin, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association’s Young Broker of the Year for 2021 and a former IBUK Rising Star, is a perfect example of how young professionals can leverage these programs to excel in insurance. More than a decade ago, Margolin was a psychology student at the University of Bristol when he participated in a 10-week internship with Hiscox focusing on marketing. There, he discovered underwriting, which led him to apply for the graduate underwriting programme at Allianz.

This move helped fast-track his career, although not as quickly as he’d hoped. “When I first started on the graduate programme at Allianz, I genuinely believed I would be CEO after about five minutes and had to go on a big learning journey and learn the humility from starting at the bottom, as everyone has to, and working my way up,” Margolin says.

“I was lucky to be surrounded by extremely supportive people at Allianz and, with a lot of determination, was able to re-focus my ambition into solid hard work and the ability to listen. I will never forget the quote my manager always used to say to me: ‘You have two ears and one mouth; use them in proportion.’ Honestly, that advice changed my outlook forever.”

Margolin spent six years at Allianz, gradually learning new skills. In 2018, at age 26, he launched his own insurance brokerage, Sioma Insurance Consultants, a tech-savvy brokerage focused on delivering outstanding personalised services, with a particular focus on fintech companies.

Margolin has taken advantage of his head start in the industry to pursue a passion for philanthropy through Made with Hope, a charity started by a friend that helps educate kids in Tanzania. Since joining the charity, he’s helped grow the operation from two schools to seven, furthering its objective of ensuring that “every child living in rural Tanzania has access to a quality education to break the cycle of living in poverty”.

“The work I do with Made with Hope really inspires me and feels the need that I have to want to help other less fortunate than ourselves around the world,” Margolin says.

“My ultimate goal is to build a fund to grant money to small charities that do amazing

“Working in insurance reignited my natural interest in risk, resilience and boldness. I love that I can share that with other people” Clare Talbot-Jones, Talbot Jones Ltd

Building a foundation Margolin believes his solid foundation and entrepreneurial zest were key factors in helping him land this year’s Young Broker of the Year Award. “My advice to future rising stars of the industry is, in the early years of your career, focus on gaining as much experience and technical knowledge as possible,” he says. “Find the job that will teach you the most, not the one that will pay you the most, especially at the start of your career, as long term, you will be far better off.”

The insurance industry, he says, offers a profusion of options for young professionals – everything from leading TV marketing campaigns and actuarial roles to sales and endless insurtech opportunities.

work on the ground in areas of the world that need our support.”

Like Margolin, Clare Talbot-Jones was young when she started in insurance. After a falling out with her teaching career in 2014, Talbot-Jones started running her own childcare service. Around the same time, her husband, Richard, decided he wanted to launch his own insurance brokerage and wanted her to be a part of it.

“The risk of that financial leap terrified me, so I threw myself into supporting the business as best as I could,” she says. “And it turned out that I love it! Although I had been cowed by life, working in insurance reignited my natural interest in risk, resilience and boldness. I love that I can share that with

METHODOLOGY Starting in March, Insurance Business UK invited insurance professionals from across the country to nominate their most exceptional young talent for the fourth annual Rising Stars list. Nominees had to be age 35 or under (as of 31 March 2021) and have committed to a career in insurance with a clear passion for the industry.

To maintain a focus on new talent, only nominees who hadn’t been previously recognised as an IBUK Rising Star were considered.

IBUK received more than 100 nominations, encompassing young professionals working in a wide range of insurance jobs across the UK. Nominees were asked about their current role in the insurance industry, key achievements, career goals and the contributions they’ve made to shaping the industry. Recommendations from managers and senior industry professionals were also considered.

The IBUK team used these criteria to narrow down the list to 49 of the UK insurance sector’s most promising young professionals.

4th year of IBUK’s Rising Stars list (formerly Young Guns)

49% of this year’s Rising Stars are women

37% of this year’s Rising Stars are under 30

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SPECIAL REPORT

RISING STARS 2021

The path toward progress

WHAT COMPANIES CAN DO TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN GEN Z TALENT

Brand yourself as an employer of choice, focusing on your values and on the “employee experience”

Use technology in the hiring process

Integrate mobile and apps into everyday workflow

Provide flexible working options and change how you view productivity

Offer clear feedback, training and mentorship for career advancement

Source: Pacific Prime

other people day to day.”

Still, Talbot-Jones says she felt like an outsider in insurance until recently, when a client tagged her in a LinkedIn post calling for nominations for the Rising Star Award at IBUK’s Women in Insurance Summit.

Despite overwhelming feelings of inadequacy, Talbot-Jones gathered up all the resolve she could muster and put herself forward for the award. She won, and her confidence level got a huge boost.

“Actually, winning the award transformed my thinking,” she says. “It helped me recognise that my skills and experiences are valuable and can make a positive impact on the industry, as well as on my business and our clients.”

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Being young and female in this industry, Talbot-Jones knows there’s still much progress that needs to be made on the gender diversity front. While women make up about 45% of the UK insurance workforce, she says, only 29% of board roles and 24% of executive roles are held by women. Meanwhile, the industry’s gender pay gap is double the UK average. She attributes this disparity in part to many women having the extra challenge of balancing motherhood with a career.

“Although there is increasing representation of women in senior positions, managers need to proactively support and encourage women in career progression,” she says.

“Whether you believe a reticence to push oneself forward is a gender disposition or the result of environmental and societal factors, it doesn’t matter. The fact still remains that firms that have diverse leadership of all forms perform better.”

Talbot-Jones believes changing the expectations of gender roles in child rearing is a crucial step. Too often, she says, fathers are not supported in parenting roles.

“Let’s create a culture where the childcare ‘burden’ can be re-characterised as a childcare responsibility that is shared out based on individual family situations and preferences, not a skewed universal societal norm or expectation,” she says.

In the meantime, she’s excited to celebrate this year’s Rising Stars, including Talbot Jones Ltd claims manager Miranda Mote. To those who are still trying to make their way in the industry, Talbot-Jones encourages them to develop skills, seize opportunities, ask for help when needed and believe in themselves.

“Believe in the value you can bring,” she advises. “With your unique skills, experiences, insights and perspectives, you truly have a lot to contribute, even if – and especially if – this isn’t recognised in your organisation. Speak up with confidence, curiosity and an open mindset.”

Jack Maddox Assistant underwriter Liberty Specialty Markets

Robert Pettifer Senior underwriter Liberty Specialty Markets

Phone: 020 3758 0000 Email: jack.maddox@libertyglobalgroup.com Website: libertyspecialtymarkets.com

Phone: 020 3758 0000 Email: robert.pettifer@libertyglobalgroup.com Website: libertyspecialtymarkets.com

Max Mallen Senior underwriter Liberty Mutual Reinsurance

Sonia Habib Operational underwriting manager Jensten Group

Phone: 020 3758 0000 Email: max.mallen@libertyglobalgroup.com Website: libertymutualre.com

Phone: 0800 3081 213 Email: sonia.habib@jensten.co.uk Website: jensten.co.uk

Alex Sorrie Claims data manager Allianz Insurance

Chris Clacy Broker business manager ARAG UK

Jonathon Valentine Chief technology officer ThingCo

Rhys Jones Director UKGlobal Leeds

Annie Wakeman Group head of marketing Specialist Risk Group

Darren Harris Marine account executive Hayes Parsons Insurance Brokers

Kate Gregory Underwriting leader RSA

Ryan Legge Account executive Hayes Parsons Insurance Brokers

Antony Russo Senior underwriter – political risk, credit and bond AXA XL

Deniz Djemal Lead senior handler Clear Insurance Management

Kayleigh Leatherdale Project manager Aon

Dominic Hernon Managing director UKGlobal Leeds

Kishen Ruparelia Product and channel manager RSA

Douglas Hazell Product director Bewica

Liam Foley Sales and service team lead Apricot Insurance

Eibhlin Swan Head of supply and experts Allianz Insurance

Maisie Gallagher Client executive, risk management practice Marsh

April Faint Group marketing manager Direct Insurance Group Arvin Rajendram Technical underwriting officer – international casualty AIG Ashleigh Overton Account manager Marsh Commercial Ashley Mills Broker Shepherd Compello Ben Davis Insurance lead, emerging technologies and international Superscript Bethan Perris Account executive Tysers Bethany Read Account executive Aston Lark Carl McComb Head of pricing Prestige Underwriting Services

Fiona Cooper UK bids and presentations coordinator Crawford & Company Gareth Mutema Senior account handler – property Churchill Insurance Consultants Holly Vowles Quality monitoring team leader (compliance) Ageas UK Jackie Spittles Head of customer experience MCE Insurance Joanna Andronikou Head of governance, risk and reporting RSA

Melanie Rochelle-Bache Team leader – corporate claims solutions QuestGates Miranda Mote Claims manager Talbot Jones Ltd Ola Jacob Raji Broker success manager FloodFlash

Samantha Johnston Claims handler RSA Motability Sian Cassie Development executive Towergate Insurance Brokers Sophiya Adam Account handler PIB Group Stephanie Ferrao Credit and political risk insurance broker Miller Insurance Services Struan Allan Building surveyor/project manager Crawford & Company Tom Bonser Marketing executive Gallagher Bassett Tom Downs Chief operations officer Direct Insurance Group Vicky Sweeney Lead underwriter CLS Risk Solutions

Priscilla Osibona Financial lines account handler BMS Group

William Smyth Senior marine claims adjuster AXA XL

Rachael Dawkins Learning and development officer Ageas UK

Yasmin Carter-Esdale Account handler Risk Management Partners

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SPECIAL REPORT

RISING STARS 2021

MAX MALLEN

Senior Underwriter

Liberty Mutual Reinsurance

Liberty Specialty Markets

“I

“A

t sounds so simple: listening to our clients’ needs,” says Max Mallen of his approach. “It’s important that the relationship is viewed as a long-term partnership, based on effective, open and honest communication. We live by the phrase ‘for mutual advantage’ at Liberty Mutual Reinsurance, and that’s what we strive for.”

Mallen joined Liberty Mutual Reinsurance in 2013 and was appointed to his current position as senior underwriter for casualty in 2019. As part of his role, he participates in multiple internal strategic initiatives, spearheading broker strategy for LM Re’s London & Rest of World region and leading the global rollout of a new customer relationship management system. He also sits on LM Re’s Strategic Delivery Board and Liberty Specialty Markets’ Underwriting Innovation Group.

In 2019, Mallen was one of 40 underwriters across Liberty Mutual’s Global Risk Solutions division to participate in an Elite Underwriting Hackathon, presenting innovative solutions that were subsequently implemented by the senior leadership team.

“It’s vitally important we continue to embrace new digital technologies,” he says of the industry as a whole. “Insurtech innovation will no doubt be key in helping the (re)insurance industry deal with new emerging risks.”

To anyone entering the industry, Mallen has some advice: “Don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo – no challenge, no change. It’s important that the industry continues to evolve, so a fresh perspective is always valuable.”

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ROBERT PETTIFER

Senior Underwriter

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cting with integrity and respect is at the heart of what we do, and providing excellent service from end to end is of utmost importance,” says Robert Pettifer, senior underwriter, property D&F, at Liberty Specialty Markets. “Long-term and mutually beneficial relationships form the core of our client base, building a high level of trust and loyalty.”

Pettifer joined Liberty Specialty Markets in 2010 as an assistant underwriter and is now responsible for writing a worldwide portfolio of open-market property business on Lloyd’s syndicate and company paper across a broad range of industry occupations, via an extensive network of intermediaries. With more than 10 years of experience in the insurance sector, Pettifer has worked with clients across many segments and territories and has experience managing the underwriting cycle through both soft and hardening market conditions.

“Working on a global portfolio, covering a wide range of industry segments, has taught me how to deal with people not only from different regions and cultures, but also at different levels within organisations,” he says.

Pettifer adds that the insurance industry is undergoing a paradigm shift in adopting new technology, and the pandemic has only accelerated the pace of change. “Embracing innovation and digital disruption are undoubtedly hot topics for the future,” he says. “However, customers are increasingly demanding a seamless digital experience, and the winners will be those who can use people to complement the technology.”

“E

nsuring brokers have the right tools to cascade an insurance product to meet the end client’s needs is a key driver of what I do,” says Sonia Habib. “Day-to-day, the end client is at the core of my decisions, and it stems from one of our group cultures and values: integrity. Without the people, we have no product to sell; therefore, it is innate in me to have that in the back of my mind at all times.”

Habib began her insurance career seven years ago as an account handler within the Jensten Group, working alongside both personal and commercial lines teams. That experience provided her with the ideal background to develop her knowledge and, with the encouragement of her peers, to progress into her current role as operational underwriting manager (wholesale).

Over the last two years, Habib has been instrumental in creating an MGA with A-rated capacity. “My vision was clear, as I knew I wanted to make a difference,” she says of her career path.

“It is instrumental that you understand the framework of the industry to really make a difference, and my mantra in life is to always treat others how you would want to be treated. After all, we are in a people-based industry, and people always remember how you made them feel.”

SONIA HABIB Operational Underwriting Manager Jensten Group

THE PREVIOUS CLASS OF RISING STARS Adam Atkins Portfolio underwriter, technology Hiscox

David Rankine Marketing and business development d2 Corporate Solutions

Liam McEneaney Renewable energy underwriter AXIS

Ajay Mistry Partnerships director Brokerbility and BHIB Insurance Brokers

James Burns Cyber product leader CFC Underwriting

Lucy Harvey Concierge team manager QuestGates

Alexander Margolin Founder/chartered insurance broker Sioma Insurance Consultants

James Dunning Founder Droneguard UK

Niraz Buhari Founder and director Smart Cover Insurance

Charlie Summers Associate director, US crisis management Gallagher

James Milbourne Senior contract services technician Willis Towers Watson

Rachael Light Commercial account handler SEIB Insurance Brokers

Christian Shand Operational oversight manager, retail division Markerstudy

Joanne Safo Global programme director and head of technology Munich Re Digital Partners

Christopher Kenning Managing director Stubben Edge Group

Katherine Pycock Claims apprentice, international financial lines XL Catlin

Thomas Britten Senior specialist underwriter RSA

Conor Edwards Commercial director Professional Insurance Agents

Kelly Ewing Director Professional Insurance Agents

Tim McCosh Associate director Meridian Risk Solutions

Dan Goggin Managing director Bretton Woods International

Leah Jones Assistant underwriter New Ocean Underwriting

Timothy Boyce US healthcare team leader CFC Underwriting

Sophie Vickery Business developer Allianz Insurance

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