Empower Talks

This is a special edition of Empower Talks, featuring our Client Solutions Manager, Claire Shepherd, in the interviewer's seat as she chats with Sam about the latest news and updates from Empower Development. In this episode, Sam reflects on the company's most exciting successes since their last podcast 12 months ago and shares some hopes and goals for the future. Listeners can expect to hear Sam discuss the company's 5-year anniversary party, her trip to New York, TikTok, BIBA, and her recent front-page feature interview in The Journal, as well as much more. Don't miss out on this exclusive episode!RELATED LINKS: Springboard Networking Events: https://empowerdevelopment.co.uk/young-professionals/Sam’s feature article in The Journal:https://thejournal.cii.co.uk/2023/03/02/interview-samantha-ridgewellTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@empower.development?lang=enClaire and Sam’s podcast 12 months ago: https://shows.acast.com/empower-talks/episodes/samantha-cockcroft-empower-developmenrEmma’s Podcast:https://shows.acast.com/empower-talks/episodes/emma-ackers-learning-specialist-at-empower-developmentTosin’s Podcast: https://shows.acast.com/empower-talks/episodes/tosin-falope-senior-training-consultant-at-empower-developme

Sam sits down with Tosin Falope, a Senior Training Consultant and the newest member of the Empower Development team, to discuss her career journey and her perspective on the insurance industry. With a background in fashion and data science, as well as a strong interest in psychology and DE&I, Tosin shares her first impressions of the industry, highlighting the diversity of its culture and the broad range of networks she has already encountered.Tosin also discusses her recent completion of a counselling skills course and her certification as a Mental Health First Aider. She expresses her eagerness to attend an upcoming course that will enable her to conduct SDI (Strength Deployment Inventory) courses on behalf of Empower Development. This leads to a candid discussion where Sam shares a very personal experience and how SDI has helped her gain insight into how she manages conflict and reflects on her behaviour during a particularly stressful period in her life.RELATED LINKS:The Diary Of A CEO – Professor Steve Peters:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1hqsr5mkzAThe Chimp Paradox by Professor Steve Peters:https://chimpmanagement.com/books-by-professor-steve-peters/the-chimp-paradox/A Path through the Jungle by Professor Steve Peters:https://chimpmanagement.com/books-by-professor-steve-peters/a-path-through-the-jungle/Empower Talks - Helen Gemmell:https://shows.acast.com/empower-talks/episodes/helen-gemmell-casualty-portfolio-underwriter-at-kiEmpower Talks – Teni Tijani:https://shows.acast.com/empower-talks/episodes/teni-tijani-founder-of-ladies-that-lunch-and-associated-undeSpringboard Events:https://empowerdevelopment.co.uk/young-professionals/Tosin’s LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tosin-falope/

Sam talks with Claire Davey (aka Cyber Claire) about her move from the corporate world, back to academia. During this transition Claire founded her own business as a Cyber Security & Risk Management Specialist & Trainer and tells how she has managed to juggle a full time PhD with the demands of a full-time entrepreneurial business.Claire’s love of learning has seen her amass a host of qualifications including her ACII, Masters, CISSP and most recently, completing a PhD in the field of alcohol/sobriety/identity. Sam and Claire hare their thoughts on the drinking culture in the insurance industry, the relationship between alcohol and networking/socialising, and Claire’s decision to stop drinking.RELATED LINKS:https://www.cyberclaire.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-g-davey/https://www.linkedin.com/company/cyberclaire/

Sam talks with Hayley Budd about their time working together at Liberty and Hayley’s journey into the ‘clandestine world of innovation’.Hayley built her own niche career to follow her passion and shares how she created a movement and innovation community within her organisation alongside her day job. She discusses how she took the work she was doing ‘off the side of her desk’ into a role as a Business Analyst where she began moulding the job into what she wanted.After a decade working at the same company, Hayley tells Sam about her move into product innovation and the challenges she encountered being a new face in a completely different culture during a pandemic, and how she learnt the importance of social capital along the way.In this episode, Hayley addresses some of the key questions facing innovation in insurance, looking at:How we create the Insurance Company of the future?How we create new operating models?What does the underwriter of the future look like?Related Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayleyrosebudd/https://www.lloyds.com/https://www.lloyds.com/news-and-insights/lloyds-labhttps://www.instech.co/https://www.instech.co/sites/instech.london/files/civicrm/persist/contribute/files/instech-london-parametric-insurance-2021-overview-preview.pdf

Sam talks with talent and recruitment authority Simon Evans about the challenges of attracting and retaining talent to the insurance industry. Sam and Simon tackle the complex issue of the ‘War for talent’, looking at how and why it has impacted the industry, what is being done about it, and what can be done to bridge the current skills gap. Simon shares with Sam what he has learnt on his journey from the world of banking to Head of International Talent Acquisitions for AIG. He discusses the benefits of working in insurance over banking and provides valuable guidance for those who are considering embarking on a career in insurance. Whether you’re interested in interview technique, what companies are looking for in candidates, or how best to progress within your organisation, this episode has something for everyone. Related links:Simon’s LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonnevans/Springboard - Empower Development’s Networking Eventhttps://empowerdevelopment.co.uk/young-professionals/#springboardBooks recommended by Simon:‘Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance’ by Angela Duckworthhttps://amzn.eu/d/8Ud5ozU‘Start With Why’ by Simon Sinekhttps://amzn.eu/d/1UNveMj‘The Infinite Game’ by Simon Sinekhttps://amzn.eu/d/h98cIQO

Sam talks to self-starter, Yasmin Carter-Esdale about their shared passion of engaging young talent and encouraging them into the Insurance profession.Yasmin entered insurance at the age of 17 and her journey from Motor Risk Call Centre to Development Underwriter at Hiscox (as well as CII Columnist, DEI Thought Contributor & Partnership’s lead at ican) has given her a unique insight into how companies can attract the next generation of insurance professionals and how best to develop them to reach their career potential.Sam talks to Yasmin about her recently co-authored report advocating mandatory qualifications for insurance brokers, as well as how she uses social media to build her brand across the insurance industry.Yasmin’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasmincarter-esdale/CII Flagship Talent Programme: https://www.cii.co.uk/new-generation-programmeStartup Sherpas: https://startupsherpas.org/Hugo @ Startup Sherpas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugopickfordwardle/Networks:NGIN: https://www.nginlondon.com/C.I.I.I.I.L.Y.M.C.: https://www.iilondon.co.uk/home/about-us/young-membersUnder 35s Reinsurance Group: https://www.under35s.com/Marine U35s Insurance Group: https://www.marineu35s.co.uk/The Insurance Cultural Awareness Network (ican): https://www.i-can.me/Kiwis in Insurance: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12153857/

Sam talks to Insurance Innovator Paolo Cuomo about his journey from management consultant to his role working with the Analytics & Advisory Team at Gallagher Re.Sam and Paolo first met at The Worshipful Company of Insurers (WCI) and discuss the philanthropic possibilities presented by the organisation, specifically Paolo’s association with iWIN – The insurance women's inclusivity network.Paolo shares his insights on the future of the London Markets and the importance, and challenges, of implementing innovative technology in the Insurance Market as a whole.RELATED LINKSYou can get in touch with Paolo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolocuomo/The Worshipful Company of Insurers: https://www.wci.org.uk/iWIN – The insurance women's inclusivity network: https://www.iwin-wci.co.uk/InsTech London: https://www.instech.co/City Quantum Summit: http://www.robinsonhambro.com/city-quantum-summit

With 40 years in the market, Nick is a true industry veteran. In this podcast, Sam and Nick have a wide-ranging conversation covering topics such as the role of insurance as an enabler of businesses, how to forge a career in ESG and why the decline of paper bundles might have contributed to a rise in gym memberships for the city's brokers! Sam and Nick also discuss the Worshipful Company of Insurers (WCI). As incoming Master, Nick gives us an insight into what the WCI is, the work it does, its role in The City and the various perks of becoming a member.  For more information about the WCI visit www.wci.org.uk. You can connect with Nick on LinkedIn here: www.linkedin.com/in/nick-dunlop-67656b12