Where would we be without those leaders who helped us believe?
As you sit on the verge of tears in that pointless conference call, plough through acres of data on a badly-made spreadsheet or perhaps just munch your way through a disappointing cheese sandwich, do you ever think back to THAT manager? You know, the one that really made you believe that anything was possible and that work could be both enjoyable and have purpose.
Well today, we are celebrating those team leaders who make a real difference every day. They are crucial but often not celebrated in the way they should be. So today is a our chance to do just that with the Team Leader of the Year shortlist.
But that’s not all. I am also profiling the shortlist for Insurance Woman of the Year in the small to medium-sized business category. It can be tempting to lavish attention on those who work for the big names but it could be argued that in smaller firms, with fewer resources, that making a difference is that much harder so let’s hear it for the small (to medium-sized) guys!
And finally, don't forget that we are seeking nominations for the Outstanding Achievement award, for the woman in insurance who really does stand head and shoulders above the rest. She shouldn't be too hard to spot, so get nominating.
Category1: Team Leader of the Year
Liz Banner, LV=General Insurance
Having built her career at the sharp end of insurance (claims), Liz is now a team leader in the claims crime prevention unit at her business. The judges were impressed by her commitment to always bring her team along with her by involving them in decisions, her focus on their training and development and on individual and team recognition. Strong testimonials to how she builds and manages a team ensured her position on the shortlist.
Janette Bell, Tesco Underwriting
As head of claims customer experience, Janette runs a team of hundreds of claims handlers. What stood out was the fact that in the face of major organisational change, rather than see that as a negative, Janette saw it as an opportunity to develop her team. She increased opportunities for individuals to improve technical knowledge, leadership and skills capabilities to ensure they would have a role to play in the future. In addition, she has undertaken her own leadership training to improve her own team leading performance.
Claire Davey, JLT Specialty
A senior practitioner, Claire has used her experience to ensure that the younger members of her team are able to grow and develop as they work, rather than purely in structured development sessions. She takes the time to mentor, coach and teach junior brokers as they support senior colleagues on placement and, crucially, gives them the breathing room to make mistakes or excel. She encourages a culture of challenge which works both ways with her team regularly invited to critique her performance to complete the development loop.
Sara Fardon, Willis Towers Watson
Having started out in the industry over 30 years ago, Sara is now a managing director and finds herself managing a team that is spread out across the country. In order to create a team dynamic in such a structure, she has introduced several initiatives and uses social media to ensure that all of her team feel involved, are aware of what they are trying to achieve and their role within that. As such, she has managed to create a sense of cohesion and belonging in a team structure that does not lend itself naturally to that.
Deborah Hogg, Tesco Underwriting
Entering the world of work at the tender age of 16, Deborah started out in broking before leaving the industry for a period (and gaining a business degree in the process) before coming back as a customer settlement manager. She stood out to the judges for her structured approach to team management, the continual communication and the encouragement to others to stretch themselves to see what can be achieved individually and collectively.
Kerry McCoy, Hiscox
Falling into insurance 20 years ago in Ipswich, Kerry is now a team leader at Hiscox where she finds herself leading several, multi-disciplinary teams. An individual who clearly loves leading and developing people, Kerry ensures that she adapts her approach to individuals whether they be growing in a current role, looking to move to another or need support when under-performing. The judges were also impressed by her recognition of the importance of good mental health to individual and team performance.
Samantha Newman, Hiscox
Samantha came into insurance after a varied career at brands such Mars, Pepsi and the BBC but threw herself into insurance, becoming a Cert CII in her first year. What stood out about Samantha was her clear understanding of what a leader should be, should do and how to get the best out of a team by giving genuine support without interfering. Testament to this is her ability to drive high performance from her teams even in areas where she has little technical knowledge or experience.
Frankie Parle, Travelers Europe
Now a branch manager, Frankie started out in insurance as an underwriting assistant 18 years ago following the completion of an economics degree. She admits to not being sure she could do her current role but found that she is a natural leader. This is shown in a turnaround in team dynamics, culture and, crucially, the financial performance of the team. The judges got the sense that she has a created a team that genuinely pulls together to deliver the best results for the business.
Ann Pelaez, Markerstudy
Like many people, Ann didn’t realise how much she enjoyed leading people until she wasn’t. Having taken a move into project management, she realised that it wasn’t fulfilling her need to help people realise their potential. Now as head of operational performance, she manages teams across disciplines and geographical sites. She works hard to ensure these barriers don’t impede the team dynamic and has managed to maintain the culture despite a recent reorganisation.
Michaela Sparey, Ecclesiastical Insurance
Following a 30-year career in banking, Michaela took the bold leap to try a completely different industry, joining Ecclesiastical in 2016 where she is now claims team leader. Her passion for leading a team is obvious but what stood out was the clear correlation she was able to draw between a motivated and empowered team and improved customer outcomes. Having had no experience in insurance, she made a concerted effort to develop her knowledge to earn the credibility she needed to lead her team with confidence.
Category 2: Insurance Woman of the Year (small to medium firms)
Catherine Bell, Magenta Insurance
Finding it difficult to find employment that gave the flexibility to care for five children under the age of 10, Catherine decided to set up her own business. What stood out for the judges was the collaboration that resulted in the development of a tool designed to stem the tide of EOW claims that have hampered the market for some years. In addition, she devotes considerable time to various industry committees and boards, both technical and diversity focused.
Teresa Bentley, Renia
Motivated by her own experience of having to carve out her own career without the benefit of role models or mentors, Teresa has devoted much of her time to ensuring that other young women have what she didn’t. To this end, she has developed the London Market Group’s talent and diversity programme which has the express aim of attracting new talent into the industry. Here, students and young professionals have access to training, support and mentoring to help them make the most of the opportunities available.
Janthana Kaenprakhamroy, Tapoly
With a background in investment banking, Janthana made her foray into the insurance world with the launch of Tapoly, an on-demand insurance app for the gig economy. She is another who has used the lack of a mentor in her own career as motivation to act as one to others, now that he career has progressed. But this hasn’t fallen into her lap – she has made every effort to upskill and reskill to ensure that she gives herself every opportunity to make a success of her business and her career.
Holly Shepherd, Shepherd Compello
An impressive track record with the financial results to back it up, Holly comes across as a real go-getter. But what stood out was her commitment to diversity, not just in principle but in practice having a created a near 50/50 gender split among senior positions in her business. In addition, she has set up customer care centres in London boroughs where unemployment is high not only bringing jobs but bringing the career opportunities in insurance to people who may previously never have considered it.
Mita Singh, Rentguard Insurance
Coming into insurance in 2013 after a short career in HR, Mita has found herself designing and managing schemes across the UK, launching multiple unique products along the way. What stood out was her work with local councils across the country to find an insurance solution that gives landlords the security they need to make their properties available to local authorities to house people on universal credit and the homeless. The judges felt this was a clear example of insurance with a social purpose.
Sabine Vanderlinden, Rainmaking
As CEO of Startupbootcamp InsurTech and partner at Rainmaking, Sabine spends her time helping insurance companies think more strategically about technology and how collaboration with startups can help satisfy those strategic needs. Her dedication to working with businesses to truly understand the value and applications of tech in the industry stood out for the judges as did the fact that she is a woman leading in this space, something of a rarity.
Samantha White, Freedom Services
An increasingly high-profile individual in the industry, Samantha runs Freedom Services Group, a collection of insurance firms. She has made a real and public effort to get and keep D&I issues on the agenda in insurance. Very open about her own challenges and limitations, she has worked hard to overcome them and encourages other women to understand that there is nothing special about her, that they can do the same.
A demain mes amis ...