Rising Stars 2022

“In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take, relationships we were too busy to build, and the decisions we waited too long to make”
Joanne Healy, Markel

Overview of market conditions

If Joanne Healy, one of the 2022 Rising Stars, was to characterise the market conditions over the past couple of years in one word, she would describe it as “resilient”. The underwriter in professional indemnity and telecommunications, media and technology for Markel was impressed with how the industry went from dealing with the longest soft market in living memory – and the pressures on profitability – to the COVID-19 pandemic and then to the war between Russia and Ukraine. 

“The insurance industry is often seen as slow to change compared to our peers in financial services; however, I’m proud of the way the industry has embraced change and I feel it has driven forward the speed of innovation,” says Healy. “There is still a huge scope for technology to shake up our industry and that is where I see it going in the near future. I feel the rewards for those that embrace technology and change will be significant.” 

The broking director and co-owner of Sioma, Jordan Marks is another Rising Star this year. Marks believes one cannot describe the market without referring to the pandemic. While it has influenced everything from insurance products to claims handling, he says, it has brought the industry closer together in many ways.  

“Things were tough, and I think they will continue to be so,” says Marks. “This was a factor in why I wanted to become a broker and own a business. I always felt one step away from really helping clients as an underwriter and wanted to do more. 

“I also think that as an industry, it is important to return to working from an office. I picked up valuable advice and skills just from being around more senior members of staff in an office environment and don’t think I’d be in this position without this. I think really young people starting their career from home are missing out.” 

“I want clients to view their insurance broker the same way they view their accountant or solicitor – being able to go to us for any of their needs and providing technical responses and assistance”
Jordan Marks, Sioma 

How to draw more young people to insurance

Another 2022 IBUK Rising Star, Chika Austin, claims professional at Travelers Europe, is not only interested in how to attract young people to insurance but also how to retain them. For her, it’s all about representation and progression.  

“You can’t aspire to be what you can’t see,” says Austin. “For any employee who is a member of a minority [community], if they look to leaders throughout the organisation and see themselves represented, it communicates that the company honours diversity and there may be a viable career path for them there.” 

She thinks the solution is to take small steps towards increasing representation, for example, showing images of diversity on one’s website and highlighting diversity networks. She says visits to schools and universities could also help, and there are always networks that have access to young people, such as London Market Group’s London Insurance Life, the African-Caribbean Insurance Network (ACIN), and The Brokerage.  

“Aspiration alone will not enable you to retain talented young people,” says Austin. “Offering opportunities to progress is also vital. Companies should consider what tangible help and resources can be provided to help young people succeed.” 

Meanwhile, Healy says the industry has much to offer young people but could make some advancements in certain areas. “Our challenge is to better market the industry,” she says. “The industry also has a lot to do from a diversity and inclusion standpoint. Young people and new talent are critical to change. As an industry, we need to attract more people from more diverse backgrounds. Diversity brings variety and variety brings innovation.”  

She says that Markel is at the forefront of raising awareness by promoting an inclusive culture and embracing difference. Its various initiatives include an employee-led Inclusion Network. 

Marks adds that he wants clients “to view their insurance broker the same way they view their accountant or solicitor – being able to go to us for any of their needs and providing technical responses and assistance. I think this shift in ‘attitude’ will naturally grab young people’s attention.” 

In addition, he says the Financial Conduct Authority should mandate insurance exams, which would add prestige and interest to the industry. Further digitising the industry’s operations would also make insurance jobs more attractive to tech-savvy young people.  

“For any employee who is a member of a minority [community], if they look to leaders throughout the organisation and see themselves represented, it communicates that the company honours diversity and there may be a viable career path for them there”
Chika Austin, Travelers Europe 

Traits that differentiate the winners

What characteristics distinguish Austin, Marks and Healy from other young achievers in their field? 

Austin says starting in corporate social responsibility and then moving into claims has helped make a difference. Not only has it provided her with a unique perspective, but it also allowed her to be involved in diversity networks, such as Black Employees and Allies and Women and Allies.  

“I measure my success by how many people I help,” she says. “I support ACIN and Ladies that Lunch, both of which were formed to boost the support for Black and minority ethnic representation in insurance, such as by reviewing CVs, providing guidance and presenting to students who are considering a career in insurance.” 

Meanwhile, Marks, a co-owner and director of a brokerage at only 28, says his passion and technical skill set him apart. For him and his partners, the passion to change the insurance industry “comes from wanting to succeed as a business, as a way to make a difference to the way clients think about insurance and the industry as a whole”. In addition, the knowledge he has gained as an underwriter is proving invaluable in his new career as a broker. “I don’t think I’d be able to advise clients as well as I do if I didn’t have the technical background,” he says. 

For Healy, being persistent, enterprising and loyal are her most significant traits. “I face challenges daily which requires persistence and creativity. Persistence also helps to effect change quickly. [As for being enterprising], starting a new position is never easy, especially during a pandemic lockdown, but without having initiative and resourcefulness it would not have been a success. I am proud of my ability to engage, communicate and source solutions when needed, whilst maintaining professional rapport with those I meet along the way. Regarding being loyal, in all aspects of life, including past places of employment, I wholeheartedly pledge contact support and allegiance. Loyalty works both ways, and I have been fortunate to have had positive experiences.” 

She adds: “In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take, relationships we were too busy to build, and the decisions we waited too long to make.” 

Rising Stars 2022

• 
  Tom Danson
  Managing Director, Trade Credit & Surety
  PIB Insurance Brokers
   
  
• 
  Jordan Kluckow
  Underwriter
  Liberty Global Transaction Solutions (Liberty Mutual Insurance)
   
  

• Aidan Farrelly
  Major and Complex Loss Protégé Adjuster
  Sedgwick
• Alex Margolin
  Founder and Managing Director
  Sioma Insurance Consultants
• Alix Pitcher
  Principal Consultant
  Crawford & Company
• Aliya Alyas
  Area Field Manager
  Sedgwick
• Bradley Martin
  Development Underwriter
  Towergate Insurance Brokers
• Chantel Emilius
  Executive Director of Culture and Engagement
  Freedom Group
• Charlotte Duncalf
  Commercial Property Adjustor
  Sedgwick
• Chelsey Sprong
  Inclusion Partner
  Beazley
• Chika Austin
  Bond and Specialty Claim Professional
  Travelers Europe
• Claire Lashbrook
  Director of Property Claims
  Claims Consortium Group
• Colette Crawford
  Client Development Executive
  Marsh
• Dave Sanders
  Business Intelligence Analyst
  RSA
• Dheeren Patel
  Insurance Broker
  Ellis David
• Divya Dattani
  Compliance Business Partner
  Gallagher
• Ed Ventham
  Co-Founder
  Assured
• Ella Davis
  Underwriter – Financial Risk Solutions
  Liberty Specialty Markets
• Florence Dennis
  Lead Clients Advisor at Partners&
  Vice President at Insurance Institute of Leicester
• Gareth Mutema
  Digital Business Manager
  Aviva
• Jack Farren
  Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
  Rural Inclusion CIC
• Joanna Vickers
  Deputy Client Services Manager - Corporate
  Verlingue UK
• Joanne Healy
  Underwriter
  Marke
• Jordan Marks
  Broking Director
  Sioma
• Katie Lennon
  Head of ESG, UK and Lloyd’s
  AXA XL
• Khalil Saroufim
  Senior Project Manager
  QBE Insurance
• Laura Butcher
  Finance Manager
  Towergate Insurance
• Lauren Crouch
  Client Account Director
  Crawford & Company
• Liam Foley
  Sales & Business Development Manager
  Apricot Insurance Services
• Marcus Li
  Senior Strategy Associate
  Aon Inpoint
• Margaret Munns
  Senior Underwriter, Commercial D&O
  Arch Insurance International
• Martha McGorman
  Major and Complex Loss Adjuster
  Sedgwick
• Miranda Mote
  Claims Manager
  Talbot Jones
• Natalia Zurowski
  Senior Strategy Associate - Technology & Partnerships
  JP Morgan Chase & Co
• Nick Bertenshaw
  Partner - Complex Property, Casualty, Construction & Structured Solutions
  McGill & Partners
• Ola Jacob Raji
  Broker Success Manager
  FloodFlash
• Oliver Butterworth
  Broking Director - Towergate Specialty & Risk
  Advisory Insurance Brokers Limited (Towergate)
• Oliver Willows
  Communications Executive
  Miller Insurance
• Ollie Waterman
  Major & Complex Loss Adjuster
  Crawford & Company
• Rachel Skelton
  Digital Transformation Lead
  Covea Insurance
• Ryan Legge
  Head of Commercial
  Hayes Parsons Insurance Brokers
• Samantha Ridgewell
  Managing Director
  Empower Development
• Shazia Deenally
  Oversight Framework Manager (Secondment)
  Lloyd’s of London
• Simon Toomey
  Head of Claims
  First Underwriting
• Sonia Habib
  Head of Operational Underwriting (Wholesale)
  Jensten Group
• Stephen Holmes
  Managing Director
  Holmes Insurance Brokers
• Teniola Tijani
  Underwriter - Marine and Energy
  IQUW
• Tom Donachie
  Managing Director
  First Underwriting
• Vicki Harris
  Business Development Manager
  American International Group UK
• Yasmin Carter-Esdale
  Development Underwriter
  Hiscox