Louise van der Valk | THB Group
After completing my A-Levels at 18 I sought my "first proper job" in the City and successfully applied for a junior claims role at THB, a London Lloyd’s Broker.
Like most college leavers with no prior connection to insurance I believed Lloyd’s of London was a bank. It was within this role I learnt the basics of insurance and assisted in handling of our Binding Authority and Direct and Facultative (D&F) accounts in North America. As the business grew so did the opportunities to progress and in 2018 I was proud to be promoted to Claims Manager. As Claims Manager I am now responsible for overseeing the D&F losses emanating from the Worldwide Property division at THB.
Having truly fallen into insurance and learning the different opportunities now available to me, at the time I believed it was the best kept secret. I am a member of THB’s Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) committee and for me, an inclusive environment is one where everyone with the capability can be heard and succeed. I am currently working alongside others within the company ways to recruit more, promote more and retain more diverse employees and to strive for the secret to be out.
I have been involved in other London Market initiatives such as the U35 LMA LIIBA Claims Committee and was elected chair in 2018. As the name suggests, the U35 Claims Group is a networking forum for Lloyd’s Managing Agents and Lloyd’s Broker’s young claims professionals. The Committee is responsible for promoting education and interest in all aspects of insurance claims. There’s a real focus on educating our members on claims matters from all classes of business. In view of the electronic world we live in, we also work hard to facilitate networking opportunities for our members.
Luise Kindsvater | Euler Hermes
I was born in Kazakhstan but I moved to Germany when I was four years old, multilingual and multicultural settings are part of my DNA.
I joined the Hamburg School of Business Administration in 2010, which offers a great scheme to obtain your Bachelor’s degree whilst you are simultaneously gaining your first work experience with a company of your choice. For me this company was Euler Hermes, the world’s leading provider of trade-related insurance solutions – where I still work today. I had the chance to see all core departments within Euler Hermes during the 3 years of dual study ship, including an overseas internship in our Los Angeles office and was part of the company women’s network.
Upon graduation, I started working for the World Agency, a dedicated team providing flexible global risk management solutions for multinational companies. After two years as an Account Executive, I was promoted to an Account Manager, the youngest within the team back then and within a short period of time, my portfolio grew to include global clients in a variety of different industry sectors, making each and every relationship unique in its own way.
I was nominated to look after the new students in our department and act as the go-to person, given I experienced that particular graduate scheme myself a few years earlier. This part of my daily work was particularly enjoyable as I could relate so much to them! Around the same time we have kicked off a global project within Euler Hermes World Agency to strengthen the overall work environment, which I was able to lead with a few other dedicated characters based in different parts of the globe.
In early 2018 I moved to London and whilst I kept holding my position as an Account Manager, transferring to another location – actually THE place to be for finance and insurance – it was a complete different scale. Next to a variety of other clients, I started looking after one of the largest finance policies in the industry, which I perceive as a great opportunity to push the boundaries of what our industry have done so far.
Pelumi Ojo | Aon
I joined Aon in 2014 as Consultant Apprentice in the Retirement business via the Aon Apprenticeship scheme after deciding to pursue a non-traditional route – I felt that University was not for me.
I completed the formal two-year programme earlier than scheduled and was promoted to the role of a Consultant Analyst. Shortly after my promotion, I was appointed as a Scheme Secretary to a Defined Benefit Scheme as requested by the Client. Whilst in this role, I also became a regional champion for the gender equality network, by hosting regular local TED talk lunch and learns and speed mentoring events etc., all of which helped to raise engagement in the Epsom office and increased network membership.
In 2017, I sought a new challenge and accepted a Project Manager role in the Office of the Chairman in Aon’s global headquarters in London. This role was my first foray into the Insurance Industry and I supported the Chairman in creating partnerships and opportunities that drive growth for Aon and our clients. During this time, I joined the Multicultural Network (which I now co-chair) and became an advocate for BAME and female talent by volunteering on committees such as the insurance industry’s Gender Inclusion Network and contributing to a variety of industry-wide events and initiatives for International Women’s Day, The Dive In Festival, SheCanBe – the Lord Mayor’s programme to bring young women into the City, BAME TNON (The Network of Networks), The Lord Mayor's Appeal Power of Diversity series, Capital Experience Days and Insuring Women's Futures.
I was recently promoted to the Executive Support Manager to the CEO of Aon UK and in this role, I work closely with the CEO in the development and implementation of the firm's strategic and operational objectives. Diversity & Inclusion remains important to me and a priority for Aon and this is an area that I continue to champion both as part of my day to day role and as co-chair of the multicultural network.
Angie Wang | PwC
Whilst born and raised in China, I moved around with my parents quite frequently and lived in Singapore, Nottingham and Leicester in the UK for a total of five years up until my teenage age.
Although picking up a foreign language or new accent was not something difficult, I have struggled as a child to adapt to a new environment and culture that was completely different to that I was born with. Re-adapting and rehabilitating to a former culture proved to be even more challenging, I found myself switching my personality and behaviour whilst dealing with my different groups of friends and colleagues, gradually finding myself with a self-identity crisis of “who I am” and “where do I come from”. Being able to “blend in” was my only goal then, and I have found myself to observe and compare how people behave and speak and try to act in the same way in order to conform to the unspoken norm.
Reflecting on my background, I have started to find myself with growing zest and passion about raising awareness of ethnic diversity and gender awareness in the working environment in my second year of joining PwC.
I became a member of the LeanINsurance that looks to support women rising through the ranks and ColourBrave Action Group with the objective of encouraging staff to discuss more openly about differences in race and ethnicity in order to better emphasise, and promote team collaboration. Being one of the key members to initiate the Colour Brave event on Insurance Day, we brought the people from all backgrounds to openly discuss differences and make their personal pledge in creating a truly inclusive workplace. Coming up with the idea of “Colour Brave Podcast”, I helped to create a video of partners sharing their overseas work experience in Japan and how they have brought it back to London.
Laureen Ramsay | Marsh
I have worked in the insurance industry since 2002 in various roles within an Insurance Company, Loss Adjuster and Broker. I now work for Marsh and have done for 11 years working my way from a Claims Advisor to Claims Executive.
In my role I have responsibility for various client's claims procedures and processes. A large part of my role is to support clients in controlling their claims, total cost of claims and this risk to their business. I do this with strategic claims analysis and risk based discussions. I also support the firm with new business opportunities in the same way I deliver service to existing clients.
I originally graduated from university with a degree in hospitality management and fell into insurance by chance.
I am very passionate in everything I do and want the best for everyone I deal with and if I can support anyone with that it makes very happy!!
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, watching football and swimming. Most of all I love spending time with family and making wonderful memories with my husband and little girl.
Amber Cowburn | Working Well (SW) Ltd
Amber is a passionate and knowledgeable mental health and wellbeing strategy manager, campaigner, and public speaker.
She has managed the mental health and wellbeing strategy at the University of the West of England (Bristol) for over 30,000 students and 4000 staff, and before that was a campaign manager for a high-profile national parliamentary campaign for YoungMinds charity.
Amber’s health and wellbeing expertise is well-respected across the sector, giving a TEDx Talk on youth mental health, and being nationally honoured with accolades such as the Diana Award (2019), Rotary National Community Champion (2019), and Prime Minister's Point of Light Award (2018). Despite being just 26, Amber is well-respected and has made her mark through knowledge and passion.
Amber recently set up ‘Working Well’, based in Bristol, taking the leap to go fully self-employed with her small business!
Her new training and consultancy business delivers bespoke solutions to businesses, empowering and equipping them to be mental health aware workplaces. She delivers training she has created on workplace mental health awareness, alongside Mental Health First Aid accredited courses, to workplaces from Bristol down to Cornwall. She has also begun creating digital content about wellbeing for corporate clients, and regularly speaks at large events and conferences.
Amber is also a proud founding trustee of the Cornish youth mental health charity 'The Invictus Trust', which her family set up in 2010 in memory of her brother Ben. The Invictus Trust successfully campaigned for and got a youth mental health unit commissioned and built in Cornwall, which opened in 2019. Amber ran the 'Bring Back our Children' campaign, with local and national media, to help make this happen.
Amber also championed mental health awareness in her time studying at Cambridge University: she founded Student Minds Cambridge, hosted the first mental health conference at the university, and was invited back to speak in the first ever mental health debate held at the historic Cambridge Union.
Amber is determined to continue working to change and influence proactive and preventative approaches to mental health and wellbeing across the country - in workplaces, at a policy level, and with young people.
Bryony Farmer | Precious Stars
Bryony Farmer is a 22-year-old entrepreneur who runs Precious Stars, an online retail business selling reusable menstrual products.
She started her business aged just 15, from her sick bed when she was suffering from a chronic illness, and rapidly built up a following, largely by harnessing the power of YouTube. Precious Stars now exports reusable menstrual products all over the world.
Caroline Andrew | Caroline Andrew London
Caroline Andrew (London) is emerging as a highly respected bespoke tailor focusing on traditional British suits for both men & women.
We infuse Savile Row cutting and tailoring techniques with our clean and minimalist design to create our signature house style.
Based in the heart of London, we have been recognised for consistently breaking new ground; combining fashion, design, art and architecture into our bespoke garments.
True to her pioneer spirit, Caroline Andrew has created the perfect fit and has worked with some of the most respected professionals from Savile Row teaming up with Master Tailors and Cutters to create her signature style.
Caroline has devoted the past decade of her career to understanding the requirements of the modern individual and addressing their sartorial needs.
Jacynth Bassett | the-Bias-Cut.com
Jacynth Bassett is the founder of the-Bias-Cut.com - the first age inclusive online independent fashion boutique – and the movement Ageism Is Never In Style®.
After studying Law at Cambridge, where she was also President of the Law Society, Jacynth used her minimal savings to found the-Bias-Cut.com, having grown frustrated at seeing women, like her mum, being treated as invisible or irrelevant by the Fashion Industry, largely due to their age. From independently developing, launching and running the-Bias-Cut.com in 2016, today it has over 30 labels, including Jacynth's eponymous label, and a global customer base.
Jacynth herself has swiftly become recognised as one of the leading advocates of style at every age, having been named as an 'Ageism-Fighting Trailblazer' by Global Health Ageing. She regularly writes, speaks and commentates on the topic for various leading national publications, including The Guardian, New Statesman and Business Insider, for several 40+ online platforms, and chaired the “Fashion Fades, Only Style Remains” talk for the (B)old Festival 2018 at the Southbank Centre, London. She also supports and aids charities, organisations and entrepreneurs tackling ageism, and is the founder & chair of 'Advocates For Ageing' - a global collective of professionals changing the conversation around ageing.
Paris Jordan | Sanlam Investments
Paris joined the investment industry in 2012 after graduating university with an upper second-class honours degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
She joined Fidelity Investments as a Broker Service Associate and worked with financial advisors providing them assistance with their client accounts. After working with her team for eight months, she was promoted to work with Fidelity’s key advisor accounts, as the company recognised her strong service skills. During her time in a customer service role, she received three platinum awards for service, a feat which had never been achieved before. After another eight months, her manager recommended her for an internal role as an Analyst in the Business Strategy team, which she was accepted for, and moved over to work with key stakeholders and senior management. In this role she completed her Investment Operations Certificate and her Investment Management Certificate. After working in this team for a year, Paris moved to Sanlam FOUR Investments in 2014 to gain more exposure to investments. Paris initially worked as a Reporting Analyst where she also started studying for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification. After working in the role for over a year and a half, and passing Level 1 of the CFA Program, she applied for a role in the multi-manager investment team. Paris was successfully selected as the first female investment professional at Sanlam FOUR in 2016. Today, she remains part of the investment team as a fund selector, specialising in Socially Responsible Investing, and aids her team in managing over £2bn. Paris qualified as a CFA Charterholder in 2019, contributes to several Mental Wellbeing Initiatives, and was selected as a member of Sanlam’s Junior Executive Committee in 2018. In her spare time, she has been a Mentor for The Girls’ Network, has taught English abroad with Angloville and currently works for ORCA as a Marine Mammal Surveyor. Paris is enthusiastic about Responsible Investing, has helped to drive the adoption of best practice within the Investment Management Industry and was awarded the CFA ESG Investing Certificate at the end of 2019.