Empower Talks - Insurance Careers – Details, episodes & analysis

Sam talks with Ethan Godlieb, Cyber & Tech E&O Broker at Aon and BIBA Young Broker of the Year, about his journey into the insurance industry and his career progression. Beginning his career on Aon’s apprenticeship programme, Ethan reflects on starting in a regional office, the importance of building relationships, and the deliberate steps he took to transition into the London market. He shares invaluable advice on securing secondments, building confidence, and advancing his career.

Ethan shares how he was instrumental in starting an apprenticeship network (Asset), which later merged into NGIN (Next Generation Insurance Network), creating opportunities for apprentices across the industry. He recounts key milestones in his career, including his shift from apprenticeship to broking management and eventually specialising in cyber insurance. Throughout the conversation, Ethan offers practical advice on navigating career goals, seizing opportunities, and balancing day-to-day responsibilities with extracurricular contributions.

Reflecting on his experience attending the BIBA conference, Ethan discusses the networking opportunities, insights from industry-leading speakers, and the benefits of connecting with peers in a social and professional setting. He also shares the process behind winning the Young Broker of the Year award, highlighting how resilience and determination have shaped his career.

To close, Ethan provides tips on standing out to judges when applying for industry awards, stressing the importance of metrics, testimonials, and showcasing impact. He also offers invaluable career advice, emphasising integrity, building trust, and setting and adapting career goals. He encourages listeners to embrace mentorship and networking, pursue professional development, and always seek opportunities to grow.

Links:

Ethan’s LinkedIn

Your Insurance Starter Kit - it’s free, you just need to setup a Teachable login

NGIN

Airmic

Ethan on Insure TV

Sam’s TikTok (Ethan’s award)

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Sam talks with Bamishe Alao, an emerging leader in the insurance industry, about her strategies for attracting graduates to the field. Starting her career on the WTW CRB graduate programme, Bamishe reflects on the initial challenges she faced, the balance of priorities, and the evolution of her networking skills. She credits much of her early success to mentorship and discusses the substantial benefits of enrolling in mentoring programs.

In their conversation, Bamishe highlights the pivotal role of LinkedIn in maintaining visibility and connections within the industry. Both Sam and Bamishe, as members of the Worshipful Company of Insurers (WCI), delve into the organisation’s structure, membership benefits, and networking opportunities that have been instrumental in their careers.

Looking forward, Bamishe shares an overview of her five-year plan, which includes achieving her ACII designation and advancing from Associate to Senior Associate in her specialised field of Directors and Officers Liability (D&O). She offers insightful advice on identifying and excelling in one's chosen class of business.

The discussion also explores the current state and future of the insurance industry, focusing on DE&I initiatives, retention challenges, and the shifting demographics at leadership levels. Finally, Bamishe and Sam discuss the impactful roles of reverse mentoring, traditional mentoring, and sponsorship in fostering career development.

Directly resulting from the podcast, Sam has started an anonymous campaign to promote salaries in the industry. Results so far can be found here: TikTok Campaign - Insurance salaries

Also in case you missed it, in 2023, Sam & Bamishe appeared together on Insure TV. Watch here: Sam & Bamishe talk BIBA on InsureTV

LINKS:

Bamishe's LinkedIn

Bamishe's TikTok

Connect Hive

D&O Diary

LTL Collective

WCI

Insurance Starter Kit

Leto Maternity Programme

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Sam talks with Guy Munnoch, Managing Director of Rupert Morgan, about his exceptional career trajectory, shaped by 21-year milestones, moving from the British Army to the insurance world and beyond. With over four decades of diverse experiences, Guy's journey is nothing short of impressive.

Delving into the early stages of his career, Guy underscores the importance of the lessons he learned in his 21 years with Army. Then, he elaborates on his shift to the insurance sector, detailing the hurdles he faced, his strategies to overcome them, and his rise to CEO. His responsibilities at Zurich resulted in an international assignment to South Africa where he reported directly to the royal family. Throughout his insurance journey, he gained profound industry insights and experienced significant transformations.

Currently, Guy is navigating his third major career phase, undertaking diverse roles and confronting varied challenges. This phase has seen him assist retirees in sculpting gratifying retirement plans, assume Non-Executive Director positions, and even achieve a World Record!

Guy Munnoch's story is a testament to adaptability and seizing opportunities. From the Army's disciplined environments to the dynamic world of insurance, he faced challenges head-on, reflecting on the psychological adjustments required at each stage. Enjoy this episode and discover the richness of Guy's journey, offering invaluable lessons for career navigation and personal growth.

Links

• LinkedIn - Guy Munnoch
• http://rupert-morgan.com
• guy@rupert-morgan.com
• guymunnoch@gmail.com
• +44(0)7969 082165

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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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