What is your role and where do you work?
I was pleased to join Maven Public Sector (MPS) as an Underwriter in October 2024. I have worked in insurance for over 15 years, with experience across various products in personal lines such as home, motor and travel. I began working in private client within the high-net worth sector working on bespoke policies to cover exclusive home and fine art policies. I then moved to personal lines where I focused on home underwriting and began specialising in the policy wording side of insurance. Although new to the public sector, I am enjoying the challenge and feel privileged to be a part of such an experienced and knowledgeable team who have made me feel incredibly welcome and are helping me get up to speed with all things public sector!
What is your expertise, specialism or main area of interest?
All things policy wording! I enjoy the technical side of policy wording re-writes and deep-dives and am pleased to be on the policy wording team within MPS, alongside my daily underwriting role. I have a keen interest to learn all of the intricacies the public sector brings. I want to translate that knowledge into how best to manage the wordings across all products and to ensure that the wordings are performing at their best for both us and our policy holders.
Is there a particular aspect of your work you are interested in or passionate about?
I’m deeply committed to advocating for the insurance sector by raising awareness, sharing knowledge, and developing innovative responses to new challenges. Those of us in the industry sometimes overlook just how much value insurance brings to society. This is even more pronounced among the general public, who often have a negative perception of our field. In reality, insurance plays a crucial role in safeguarding individuals and organisations, especially as new risks emerge. I’m dedicated to supporting clients and finding practical solutions. With the ever-changing nature of insurance risks, it’s essential to stay informed and adaptable. Keeping up with the latest trends allows us to help organisations manage risks effectively, ensuring their operations remain resilient and successful.
What are you working on currently?
The team have been supporting me with getting to grips with all the various systems, processes and procedures (of which there are many!). I survived my first tender season and am now focusing on renewals, while managing the various accounts I now look after on a day-to-day basis. Another key part of the role which I am enjoying is getting to know the brokers and cultivating those relationships. This is an integral part of the position we fulfil here at MPS.
What topics and trends are emerging?
The public sector faces unique and evolving risks as it navigates a rapidly changing landscape.
With the increasing digitalisation of public services, cyber threats are a top concern. Local authorities and public bodies are prime targets for cyberattacks, including ransomware and data breaches. The focus is not only on securing systems but also on building incident response capabilities and ensuring continuity of essential services.
AI is a revolutionary tool and one we should embrace within the industry and everyday life, however alongside all the advantages there are still potential concerns and risks that need to be managed to minimise risk.
Climate change is also one of the most significant and complex challenges facing the insurance industry today. Its wide-ranging impacts are reshaping how insurers assess, price, and manage risk. Rising global temperatures are contributing to more frequent and intense natural disasters, such as floods, wildfires, hurricanes, and heatwaves. Traditional risk models are being stretched by the unpredictability of climate-related events. Insurers must continually update their models and data sources to accurately price policies. Climate change is fundamentally altering the risk landscape for insurers. Addressing these challenges requires a combination of robust risk assessment, innovative product development and regulatory compliance.
