Suzie White, head of accident and health Australia at Beazley Group, talks about making a difference, pricing conditions and good people.
Why insurance?
I love making a difference, and my role allows me to challenge existing thinking in the market and provide solutions brokers and clients are longing for. I relish the opportunity to challenge conventional thinking and seek out innovative solutions.
How would you sum up insurance brokers in three words?
Interesting, inventive, knowledgeable
How would you change the industry?
I’m not sure how I would, but there is definitely space for healthy competition and a wider variety of products.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Surround yourself with good people.
What’s the most important thing a broker can do to develop their business?
Partner up with a good underwriter who can identify real solutions. Brokers usually know what’s needed and can identify the gaps, so why not consider working with a specialist who can make a difference?
If you were Prime Minister for one day, what would you do?
I’d devote some time to social services for those in need. It is often easy to overlook when people go without access to basic services they need such as hospitals, medicine, food and shelter.
What’s the biggest challenge facing the industry today?
One of the major challenges for insurers is moving away from pricing as the sole differentiator among products. Within the current soft market conditions, it is simple to just look at price but in the long-term we need new products and fill the gaps to offer a more meaningful and sustainable point of difference for the industry.
What has been the highlight of your career?
The highlight so far has been being recognised by my industry peers as a trusted advisor. It has been a very memorable journey to date, since I entered the industry as an underwriter 15 years ago, and I hope to have more highlights along the way.
If you could invite three people to dinner, dead or alive, and excluding family and friends, who would they be and why?
Andrew Beazley – Everyone talks so highly of him, so I want to learn from the experiences of a humble person, a successful businessman and a leading figure in Lloyds of London
Evan Greenberg – A well-rounded insurance expert who would be a walking encyclopaedia.
Gail Kelly – For many, the most powerful woman in finance in Australia, and she is an amazing and determined leader and I would like to learn about her strategies.
Complete this sentence: If I wasn’t in insurance, I would be…
A teacher.
