The Insurance Coffee House

Introduction to the The Insurance Coffee House and the format of the show.

Join our host Nick Hoadley as he gives our listeners a pre-series insight into the format of the show and the questions he will be asking the Insurance Business Leaders in the first series of the Insurance Coffee House...If you would like to contact Nick Hoadley about the podcast or to discuss any executive search assignments you may have, please email info@insurance-search.co.uk

This week Nick interviews RSA's Chief Underwriting Officer, Adrian Sweeney, to find out about the turnaround he has achieved during his time there as well as his advice and learnings from his previous international executive underwriting roles at Zurich. Adrian's global executive experience makes him one of the leading CUO's in the world, so this is a great opportunity to find out how he got to where he is today and what advice he has for others on a senior leadership career path.Adrian shares his philosophy of helping and empowering the people who work for him and also gives us his thoughts on how insurance business leaders should adapt to be successful in the future.Listeners can reach out to Adrian after the show via his LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-sweeney-4aab69/ or on his email adrian.sweeney@uk.rsagroup.com (although please be respectful of his time).This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of leading international insurance executive search firm, Insurance Search.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss any executive search assignments, please email info@insurance-search.co.uk or call (+44) 203 9488 501.

On this week’s episode we are joined by Phil Barton, CEO of Partners&, who demonstrates to us that you can achieve anything in insurance if you think big enough and work hard to accomplish your goals.Phil shares with us about his time as CEO of Jelf including how he helped turn around the business whilst he was on the board and then led the group through a huge journey of growth and consolidation culminating in the sale to Marsh & McLennan.He explains the benefit of gaining experience in different C-Suite positions before taking on the role of CEO and reveals his drive and motivation to provide great advisory services to his clients as well as career development and opportunity to his leadership team.In his new role as CEO of Partners&, Phil brings industry leading expertise to this boutique start up brokerage and explains to us his characteristically bold plans for the business to be “the best insurance advisory company in the UK.”This is a must listen for ambitious insurance professionals and senior leaders alike, so please download and enjoy the show.Listeners can reach out to Phil about his career or the work he is now doing at Partners& via his LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-barton-25407323/ or on his email phil.barton@partnersand.com (although we would be grateful if you can be respectful of his time).This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of  International Insurance Executive Search consultancy, Insurance Search.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss any executive search assignments you may have, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email him at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

Joining us in the Insurance Coffee House this week is Jean-Paul Rebillard, President of MedPro Specialty in the United States, a $600m medical professional liability insurance business for institutional and individual health care providers in the US and around the world.The business, which is part of MedPro Group, a Berkshire Hathaway company, has grown profitably by more than 400% during his 6 years as its leader.Jean-Paul’s 25-year insurance career has spanned both the carrier and brokerage sides of the industry. This is a great listen for both brokers and underwriters alike to hear Jean-Paul talk about about prioritisation, obsessive client focus, self-reflection, failing to think long-term and servant leadership. Connect with Jean-Paul via https://www.linkedin.com/in/jean-paul-rebillard-52778521/This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of International Insurance Executive Search consultancy, Insurance Search.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss any executive search assignments you may have, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email him at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

On this week’s episode we are joined by the Chief Commercial Officer of Insurtech business, Nimbla - Elizabeth Jenkin.Elizabeth has enjoyed a highly successful career in the insurance industry despite having dropped out of university. She spent 19 years at AON and after a senior leadership position at Lloyds Broker, RFIB, Elizabeth joined insurtech disruptor Nimbla as Chief Commercial Officer in March 2020. Elizabeth shares with us her transition into Insurtech and talks about her work in Women’s Football, developing talent at Nimbla, and how she encourages future talent to embrace technology. This is a must listen for insurance leaders considering a move from traditional insurance firms into insurtech businesses, so please download and subscribe to the show now.Listeners can reach out to Elizabeth about her career or the work she is now doing at Nimbla via her LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-jenkin-845282a/ or on her email elizabeth.jenkin@nimbla.com (although we would be grateful if you can be respectful of her time).This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search the international executive search consultancy for the insurance and insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss any executive search assignments you have coming up, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email him directly at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

This week we are delighted to speak to the former Chief Executive of Zurich EMEA who shares insights into his career at the very top of the insurance industry, the work he is now doing as chair of Z Zurich Foundation and the advice he has for Insurance Business Leaders to achieve a career that is both successful and sustainable.Gary talks about his achievements as CEO of Zurich EMEA and the substantial increase in profits during his time at the healm. He also openly shares with us how he is dealing with his biggest challenge of being diagnosed with Parkinson's and the passion he now has leading the Z Zurich Foundation .Listeners will find Gary's achievements, his story and his perspective on life to be truly inspirational and you can reach out to Gary about this interview or the work he is now doing at Z Zurich Fouundation via his LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-shaughnessy-57405118/ .This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search the international executive search consultancy for the insurance and insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss any executive search assignments you have coming up, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email him directly at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

Join us for this week's special bonus episode as we speak to Zurich Mexico's Chief Operating Officer about navigating an international career and how to be successful working in the LatAm insurance market.Oscar's philosophy of "Never being afraid to try" has seen him work in London, Switzerland, Columbia, Singapore and Mexico and he explains how he has adapted to be successful in those regions.Oscar discusses how he sees the future of LatAm insurance market developing, and advises that leaders should be learning to be agile and embracing change to have success in a competitive market.He goes on to share with us his early morning routine which includes exercise and yoga to set him up for a successful day and also advises insurance business leaders that it is never too late to change track so be open to the open opportunities out there.Listeners will enjoy Oscar's story and whether you are from the LatAm region or the European and US markets you will find his advice to be relevant to you. You can reach out to him after the show via his his LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/oscarmcarrillo/ or directly via email at oscar.m.carrillo@zurich.com .This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search the international executive search consultancy for the insurance and insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss any executive search assignments you have coming up, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email him directly at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

Joining us on the Insurance Coffee House this week is Nick Hankin - Global Head of Underwriting Governance at QBE.Nick talks us through his career path - from grad scheme applicant to senior insurance business leader and shares some great advice about what he learned along the way.Nick is a strong advocate of owning your career development and continually looking at self-improvement both within business and outside.He discusses the leaders who have had an impact on his career and how they acted with humbleness whilst also maintaining the very highest level of standards within their business line.Listeners from around the world will find this advice and insight relevant to your own career development, so please do download the episode and also subscribe to the show.You can reach out Nick after the show via his LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-hankin-b538595/.This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search the international executive search consultancy for the Insurance and Insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss any executive search assignments you have coming up, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email him directly at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

On today's episode we are joined by Robert Zerafa, newly appointed Head of Operations at Transverse Insurance Group in New Jersey.Transverse Insurance Group is a fully licensed P&C Carrier partnering with reinsurers and program administrators to provide a broad range of property and casualty products for commercial and personal lines.Previously Robert had a successful career at AIG where he enjoyed positions as Head of Global General Insurance Controls and latterly Head of Operations at AIG Lexington.Robert discusses what the insurance industry should be doing to tackle inertia and what we can do to avoid that in our own personal careers. He shares with us the success he had at AIG and also what he learned from the huge challenge he faced when working there during the height of the financial crisis.Robert is a global leader in strategy, change & transformation in the insurance industry, yet he discusses servant leadership and pays homage to the mentors who have inspired him in his career.Make sure you tune in to hear the surprising "coffee of choice" for this New Yorker, which shocked everybody in the The Insurance Coffee House.Listeners from around the world will find his advice and insight relevant to their own career development, so please do download the episode and also subscribe to the show.You can reach out to Robert after the show via his LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertzerafa/.This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search the international executive search consultancy for the Insurance and Insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss the executive search services we provide, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email us directly at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

­­Joining Nick on the second episode of the Insurance Coffee House this week, we welcome Joseph Bardi who reflects upon his time as the CEO of Academic Group - a leading MPL carrier in New York City.Joe shares how we can learn to build ourselves up and continually progress our careers even in the most challenging of times.Joe is a senior leader in Medical Professional Liability but also spent considerable time in Aon’s M&A transaction division and shows how insurance leaders can transfer across business lines and be successful.Listeners practising in specialist lines will find his advice and insight particularly relevant, but his leadership and strategy experiences are applicable to all within insurance, so please do download the episode and also subscribe to the show.To reach out to Joe about the show or any executive opportunities you would like to discuss, you can contact him via email joseph.bardi@gmail.com or his LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-bardi-b530411/.This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search the international executive search consultancy for the Insurance and Insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss the executive search services we provide, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email us directly at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

This week we discuss how to lead an independent broker through a successful acquisition into a larger organisation.We are delighted to be joined by Steven Risk, Managing Director of specialist broker, Coleman Marine, who shares with us how he has managed a business being acquired on two separate occasions.Steven was the CEO of Coleman Marine as it was acquired by Stackhouse Poland and then by Gallagher. He gives us a great insight into managing the business through these acquisitions and shares how focussing on the staff and clients led to the acquisitions being a success for both them and the acquirers.In this interview, Steven goes on to urge Insurance Business Leaders to lose their egos and treat people with respect when building their business and advises aspiring executives to strive to be the very best people they can be.Listeners from independent brokers around the world will find his advice for maintaining a company’s performance through business a sale to be very relevant and enlightening, so please do download the episode and subscribe to the show.You can reach out to Steven about any of the issues discussed on the show via his LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-risk-80362947/  .This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search the international executive search consultancy for the Insurance and Insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss the executive search services he provides, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email us at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

Joining us on the second of our two-part series with Gallagher this week, we have Cheryll Rawbone, the former MD and now Chairman of Gallagher Coventry. Cheryll also discusses the acquisition of her business into the Gallagher group and we find out how she has transitioned into a larger organisation.Cheryll has extensive experience working with local businesses who have international risk portfolios and she shares with Nick how she has combined that international expertise with local networking and marketing to grow her client base and ultimately her business.With opportunities to train and work internationally, Cheryll believes that Gallagher is a great place for local insurance professionals to develop their skills and handle global risk portfolios in this ever changing and fast paced climate.In this interview, Cheryll goes on to share how businesses need to adapt to be successful and how they can use technology to increase their client reach.You can reach out to Cheryll about any of the issues discussed on the show via her LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryllrawbone/ .This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-hoadley-78a498143/ the international executive search consultancy for the Insurance and Insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss the executive search services he provides, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email us at info@insurance-search.co.uk

Join us for a very special episode as we interview Lesley Ndlovu, CEO of African Risk Capacity and hear how their insurance company is providing aid and relief to countries suffering from drought and famine.Lesley explains how ARC provides an insurance mechanism to bring fast capital and risk management to affected countries way before international aid can be raised and distributed, meaning lives are saved and the suffering is reduced.Find out how Lesley's twenty years of experience across international insurance markets puts him in the perfect place to increase the scale of relief that ARC can provide to these African nations.He also talks about delivering consistent benchmarks in standards across every international insurance market he works in by using the same structure and routine on a daily basis.This is a valuable listen for aspiring Insurance Business Leaders in Africa and an inspiring story for insurance professionals across the globe.You can reach out to Lesley about the work he is doing at ARC or any of the issues discussed on the show via his LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesleyndlovu/ .This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-hoadley-78a498143/ the international executive search consultancy for the Insurance and Insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss the executive search services he provides, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email us at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

This week on the Insurance Coffee House, we are delighted to be joined by Darrell Sansom - Commercial Director for AXA Ireland.Darrell has enjoyed an expansive career as an insurance business leader, working in senior roles across the AXA group and he shares with us his secrets and insights into how we can lead teams and develop successful businesses.Darrell explains how networking and "never saying no to a coffee" is great for expanding your network and increasing potential opportunities that will come from a changing market.He is a big believer in being adaptable for clients' changing needs that are ever evolving through technology and different buying habits.You can reach out to Darrell about any of the issues discussed on the show via his LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrell-sansom-b0bb0520/ .This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search the international executive search consultancy for the Insurance and Insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss the executive search services he provides, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email us at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

In this episode we are joined by Willis Towers Watson's COO of Global Captive Practice and we explore the increasing opportunities in the Captive market for insurance business leaders.As the insurance market hardens, corporates across the world are seeking alternative mechanisms for managing their risk which has led to increased demand for captive creation.Sumit shares how this alternative mechanism can provide a great career opportuntity for insurance business leaders and explains his own journey from three month intern to Global Captive Practice COO in just thirteen years.Sumit believes that hard work and a consistent daily routine is the key to his success and he invites listeners to reach out to him on email sumit.mehra@willistowerswatson.com or via his linkedin page https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumit-mehra-28b5511/ .This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search the international executive search consultancy for the Insurance and Insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss executive search assignments, please reach out via linkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-hoadley-78a498143/ , go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email directly at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

Joining us on the show this week is Brian Duffin OBE, former Chief Executive of Scottish Life. He is currently Chairman of the GEC Pension Scheme,the Aviva With Profits Committee, the Church of Scotland Investments Trust and he is also a NED for NFU Mutual as well as other insurance companies and pension funds.Brian discusses with Nick the achievement he is most proud of during his time as Chief Executive at Scottish Life and shares how Insurance Business Leaders can transition from Executive to NED roles.His advice to executives seeking to move into NED roles is "make an honest appraisal of what you are good at and what you are not good at" before deciding which appointments and companies would be a good fit for you.Brian believes that planning ahead is one key to his success and he invites listeners to reach out to via his linkedin page https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-duffin-a462293/ for advice or any NED opportunities.This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search the international executive search consultancy for the Insurance and Insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss executive search assignments, please reach out via linkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-hoadley-78a498143/ , go to our website www.insurance-search.com or email directly at info@insurance-search.com .

Giorgio shares how to navigate a successful leadership career around one insurance company, having worked at Generali for an incredible 40 years, as man and boy. He advises that leading Generali Worldwide through its eventual sale to Utmost was one of the most challenging times as he balanced being honest and open with his staff and colleagues, whilst also getting the business into the best position for sale and generate maximum shareholder value.Giorgio preaches that insurance professionals should really understand the value that insurance brings to society as well as making sure you work with passion and enthusiasm to complete projects that really make a difference.Listeners can reach out to Giorgio about any of the issues discussed on the show via his email giorgio.daboni@me.com or via his LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/giorgio-daboni-12912064/ .This episode is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search the international executive search consultancy for the Insurance and Insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss the executive search services he provides, please go to our website www.insurance-search.co.uk or email us at info@insurance-search.co.uk .

Joining us for our final episode of Season One, we have Charlotte Lach, a rising star of the insurance industry and Head of Global Multinational Strategy & Change at AIG.Charlotte shares with us how she has quickly risen from an underwriting role into a strategic position and advises of the benefits of a technical grounding when moving into operational and strategic functions.She reminds us that the start of the day is the one time where we can have 100% control of our time, so it is up to us to make the very best use of it whether that is through exercise or personal development.Charlotte passionately believes in the importance of insurance qualifications from a professional standards perspective and reminds us that those qualifications add value which will be with us for the entirety of our careers, whether we change team, division or organisation.Listeners can reach out to Charlotte after the show with any comments or feedback via her LinkedIn page https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottelach/ .This episode rounds of the end of Season One, but do not despair as we will shortly be launching Season Two where will be interviewing the very best Insurance Business leaders from around the United States…so watch this space and subscribe to the series so you do not miss the first episode!The Insurance Coffee House is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search the international executive search consultancy for the Insurance and Insurtech sectors.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss executive search assignments, please reach out via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-hoadley-78a498143/ , go to our website www.insurance-search.com or email directly at info@insurance-search.com 

Season One, Episode 18 – Bonus Episode Rowan Bamford, President of Liberty’s Global Transaction Solutions division joins us for a special bonus episode of the Insurance Coffee House.Liberty GTS is a global insurance carrier specialising in underwriting policies for international M&A transactions and have teams based across North America, APAC, EMEA and London.Rowan discusses his career transition from being a private practice Corporate Lawyer to M&A Underwriter and explains the many benefits of leaving the legal profession for the insurance world.Rowan swapped a life of working through the night, targets based on time recordings and a long, slow career path to senior leadership, for a career based on meritocracy, relationships and a fast road to success based on performance and personal responsibility for your own career.Like many M&A Underwriters, Rowan is a big advocate of moving from private practice into corporate insurance which matches the upside of exposure to intellectually challenging work for international clientele with opportunity to travel, whilst also benefitting from better hours, more responsibility, faster career progression and having similar earning potential to Private Practice.Liberty GTS embrace a culture of sacrificing one’s ego to benefit the team and Rowan encourages loyal dissent to get the very best ideas from all levels of experience within the team…it’s that meritocracy again!   Listeners can also hear how Rowan dealt with the challenge of losing his North American team around the Ironshore / Liberty merger and the steps that he took to rebuild the team and come back stronger.A major factor in Liberty GTS' success lies in its strict hiring process, ensuring new recruits meet intellectual, academic and corporate knowledge requirements and have the personality that would be a good cultural fit for the firm.Rowan encourages listeners to reach out to him after the show with any comments or questions about the business or careers in M&A Underwriting. You can find his email and phone number on the GTS contact details page as follows… https://www.libertygts.com/our-team-1/The Insurance Coffee House is hosted by Nick Hoadley, CEO of Insurance Search, the executive search consultancy for the Insurance and Insurtech sectors in the United States and UK.If you would like to contact Nick about the podcast or to discuss growing your leadership team, please reach out to him via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-hoadley-78a498143/ , contact Insurance Search via www.insurance-search.com or email info@insurance-search.com