From graphic design to a career in insurance

I was brought up in the UK but having now lived longer in Jersey than the UK, I would consider myself a local. My younger self was quite different to me now - I was quite shy and it took me a while to discover who I was and what kind of career would be fulfilling for me. Full transparency, I didn’t set out to have a career in insurance, in fact it wouldn’t have crossed my mind.

I studied Art and Design at college and then Graphic design at University. Always very artistic, I had an eye for design, so this seemed a logical route. It hadn’t really occurred to me that this wouldn’t be my choice of career.

During my student years, as most students do, I tried my hand at different part time and evening jobs which I now recognise was an invaluable experience as it was during those years working in hospitality and sales that I developed my people skills. I realised that building relationships and connecting with people was something I enjoyed and my confidence grew. It also became apparent that whatever job I did, from bar work to pizza delivery or cold calling telesales, there was always a desire to do the job really well. I wanted to succeed and do the best job in whatever I was doing, setting high standards for myself.

After finishing my studies and returning from a period working overseas, I accepted a temporary role at an insurance company in the UK. Little did I know this job would shape my future career.

When arriving in Jersey a few years later, my previous insurance experience landed me a job with Insurance Corporation of the Channel Islands, as an Assistant Underwriter. I have to be honest, I had little idea what this would involve but soon realised I had hit the jackpot. It was a great opportunity and fantastic company to work for.

Insurance Corporation provided me with the platform to grow in a personal and professional capacity. I studied whilst I worked and Jersey soon became my home, where I met my husband and started my family. After years of hard work, I qualified with Chartered Insurer status.

I feel fortunate to have been given the support and opportunities over a period of 18 years at Insurance Corporation to develop as an insurance professional, as a commercial underwriter and later joining the Insurance Corporation leadership team.

I’ve always felt the insurance industry is rarely considered by most when selecting a career path (including me!) It’s a vastly under represented industry, one which has provided me with such a diverse, exciting career full of opportunities. I feel passionate about raising awareness of our industry as a career choice. There are so many different skills sets required in the insurance sector and such varied roles available. Locally it’s a small sector, but crucial and like other industries, attracting talent is a challenge at the moment. Our industry provides a great option to study on island and join a sector with endless possibilities locally and globally.

Given my passion for the industry and my need to always get involved and do more, I found myself on the local Insurance Institute committee and it was an honour to hold the institute presidency for a year. Very few females have done so as historically the insurance sector has been quite male dominated. It felt important to represent younger females in the industry. Delivering my presidency speech to 150 colleagues and peers was another defining moment for me and a long way on from my shy student self.

A health scare, after the birth of my daughter in 2017, I now realise, became one of those pivotal moments for me. Life affirming in many ways, it provided a shift in my perspective and prompted me to take a risk and to try something different.

I joined Rossborough to manage an established book of Commercial clients and a broking team, later taking on responsibility for Rossborough Private Office and then the Sales function. Moving from insurer to broker was a big move but the best decision for me as it gives me the opportunity to deal with clients directly. Utilising my technical underwriting background I am able to find solutions for our client’s and develop long term trusted relationships.

Rossborough, being part of Gallagher, one of the largest brokers in the world, appealed to me but equally important was the fact that Rossborough is rooted in the local community. The best of both worlds.

I have been fortunate to work with an amazing team of colleagues where we learn and push ourselves to develop daily. We also have a lot of fun. I’m naturally quite driven and curious, so an environment that allows me to continue to grow, is important.

A hugely rewarding part of my role is being able to share my learning to support those at the start of their career with their  studies. As the only chartered broker locally, I am incredibly proud of this status at Rossborough and encourage our team to work towards a professional qualification via the Chartered Insurance Institute. It demonstrates to our clients we adhere to a code of ethics and professional standards and importantly that we are qualified to advise. This matters as we operate in an evolving industry and have to adapt to changing risks and respond quickly.

I’m incredibly fortunate to lead a very talented team of colleagues in the sales team and wider business where we feel every day we can make a real difference for our clients and in the communities in which we operate.

The Channel islands and Isle of Man presents so many opportunities for us continuing to develop our network within the islands utilising our Gallagher global network to find solutions for  clients and businesses.

Financial institutions and family offices are areas where we are particularly strong as we have access to facilities and products ranging from Professional Indemnity or Directors and Officers cover for businesses to kidnap and ransom cover for individuals or international healthcare for families.

We understand the local market and care about our communities. There is nothing better than building long term trusted relationships and finding solutions for our clients. What could be more rewarding than protecting clients and ensuring they are put back into the position they were in, prior to a loss.

Risk crosses all components of our lives and is ever changing. With emerging and changing risks particularly in the current volatile economic climate, our job as a trusted advisor is to identify risks and advise our clients. Knowledge is key and risk identification allows us to then choose to mitigate or transfer the risk.

My desire to do the best job I can translates to our business and doing the best we can for our clients.

Enjoy the journey more and worry less. You don’t need to have all the answers. Make decisions based on your instincts and this will serve you well. Just be you.

Can I have 5? Resilient, curious, determined, loyal and optimistic.