There appears to be, more or less, three types of broking executives as far as their industry beginnings are concerned – those who knew they wanted to be a broker; the wider pool of those who ‘fell’ into the industry; and those who were born into it or grew up with the business.
In this Q&A we’re featuring an ‘industry daughter,’ so to speak, who tells Insurance Business how it all started for her. Here, Robert J. Goodson director Natalie Goodson (pictured) offers a glimpse of the past 25 years while talking fondly about the man behind the Peterborough brokerage.
What made you pursue a career in insurance?
My career path was more chosen for me than the other way around, owing to the fact that my older brother had zero interest in joining the family business. I had started working within the business during school holidays, and quickly found I was a chip off the old block. I soon realised I preferred a bit of money in the bank as opposed to going to university and living off beans on toast for the next three years, so joined the business straight out of school after my A-levels.
In your two and a half decades with Robert J. Goodson, what have been some of the most memorable moments for you?
Now I feel old! Achieving my Chartered status was a milestone; being asked to insure the Queen’s carriage while in transit was exciting, although unfortunately not possible; and all the amazing people I have met along the way so far, sharing their wealth of experience, none more so than my lovely dad who sadly passed away in 2018.
What are the things you look forward to as director of the business?
Helping and seeing my staff grow in confidence with experience.
What is it like being part of the Purple Partnership?
Joining Purple was definitely one of my better business decisions. If I need help and support, all I have to do is ask. There is no unnecessary interference within our business model either, leaving me to run my business and place business where I see fit.
Where would you be if not in insurance?
Running a Boxer sanctuary – for Tyson, Lennox, and Bruno – the canine types! I love my four-legged friends.
Name one thing your peers probably don’t know about you.
My father and I had a bit of a reputation with certain underwriters and brokers at Lloyd’s, so much so it became a phrase in certain circles that if you had been out for dinner with us, involving drinks, your state was the next day described as having been ‘Goodson’d’.
