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Tell us a bit about you and your role at Tokio Marine HCC International (TMHCCI).
I’ve been in the insurance industry for 15 years and joined TMHCCI in January as a Senior Claims Adjuster in the Property D&F team. We have a relatively high volume of cases that we handle between the team, ranging from smaller commercial losses to catastrophic weather events like hurricanes and wildfires.
As well as my day job, I’m also co-chair of iDAWN, which is the UK insurance markets Disability and Wellbeing Network. We arrange events, training and provide resources for all UK insurers to help progress disability and wellbeing inclusion within the market, and hopefully take away the barriers that might stop disabled people from having a career in the insurance industry.
What is the most interesting part of your role?
My role in general is pretty interesting, no two claims are the same and there’s an element of problem solving that I really enjoy. It’s the old cliché that claims is the shop window of insurance – no one wants to have a claim, but it’s where we can provide our clients with the most value and support at stressful times. I handle property claims, which encompass a wide variety of losses, but catastrophic weather events are particularly interesting as it’s something we (thankfully) don’t see much of in person in the UK. The ‘people’ side of the job is a big driver for me, whether that’s helping individuals and businesses recover from a loss or making lasting connections with our brokers and market colleagues.
How does it feel to be nominated in not one, but two, categories for the Women in Insurance Awards?
The Women in Insurance Awards are a great initiative for the industry, and it’s an honour to have been nominated and be recognised alongside so many inspiring women and allies. Recognition and feeling valued for the work you do is a powerful thing and definitely something we should do more of as an industry, whether it’s on this scale or just recognising colleagues for the day to day work they do with some positive feedback.
Can you tell us more about iDAWN, which you co-chair? What impact would you winning have on the organisation?
iDAWN, which is one of the Inclusion@Lloyd’s partner networks, focuses on disability, neurodiversity, and mental health. These topics can be difficult to talk about, especially if you’ve not had personal experience with it, so our mission is to reduce stigma and encourage more open, informed conversations. Around 24% of working-age adults have a disability. I was diagnosed with MS at 25, and disclosing it at work was daunting - I worried about being seen as less capable and not being able to progress my career as I wanted to. As co-chair of iDAWN, I’m proud to lead initiatives that help others navigate similar challenges. We’ve delivered training, supported policy development, and hosted market-wide events to drive real change. Being shortlisted for the Role Model award is not just a personal honour, but it also highlights the vital work iDAWN and our Champion firms are doing to make our industry more inclusive and celebrate disability and wellbeing as a strength.
Why do you think awards like this are important in the insurance sector?
Awards like these that celebrate the achievements of women in the market are a great way to showcase the progress the market has made in making the industry more inclusive. Making the market more equitable and creating a culture where everyone’s achievements are celebrated can only make the industry stronger, and hopefully inspire the next generation to choose a career in insurance.
You’ve been in the industry for 15 years now. How has diversity and equality improved (if it has) in that time?
There has absolutely been a massive improvement since I started my career, but there is still a way to go, with disability and mental health in particular still often not front of mind for employers. People for the most part have good intentions but are often stifled by politeness or lack of knowledge, and if you’ve never experienced disability or mental health struggles, then it can be hard to know where to start or what to keep in mind to make sure everyone has a chance to succeed. Networks like iDAWN and others play a big role in driving those market changes and bringing companies together. Whilst we’re not there yet, its really encouraging to see how committed the industry is to being more open, inclusive and equitable.
Can you tell us a little bit about what it’s like to work at TMHCCI and how the business supports you?
TMHCCI has been a really welcoming place to work, and a very supportive and collaborative environment. It’s been great to see a company that values its people and encourages them to bring new ideas in. I’ve had the opportunity to continue to take on new challenges and initiatives, and to get involved in working groups within the business that are committed to progressing D&I, which is something close to my heart.
What would winning an award mean for you personally and professionally?
Winning an award would be incredibly meaningful, both professionally and personally. I’m very proud of how far I’ve come in the last 15 years, especially when it’s not always been smooth sailing, and incredibly grateful for the support I’ve had along the way. It would be lovely to use that recognition to help others who are on a similar path and show what’s possible.
What would you say to other women who might be reluctant to enter these awards?
Accepting a nomination isn’t always a comfortable feeling, imposter syndrome can be a massive barrier as you feel like you’re not ‘award-worthy’, but initiatives like this can be a really empowering way to celebrate the contribution of everyone and can help inspire others to push themselves outside of their comfort zone.
Any women in the industry you look up to or see as a role model?
I’ve worked with so many incredible women, far too many to list! It’s really inspiring to see women who aren’t just experts in their fields, but who lead with openness and empathy in everything they do and lift other women around them.
