In this inspiring episode of Empower Talks, we’re joined by Chris Hanks, former General Manager of Allianz Commercial, past President of the Chartered Insurance Institute, and former Chair of Liberty Specialty Markets—where he also first met our host, Sam. Chris has also served as a Chairman and Non-Executive Director across several organisations, bringing strategic guidance and leadership at board level.

With a career spanning over five decades, Chris shares his journey from starting as an underwriter in 1970 to leading one of the UK’s top commercial insurers through transformational growth.

Chris speaks with warmth and candour about the lessons he’s learned—covering everything from building technical foundations to the power of emotional connection in the workplace. He reflects on the importance of nurturing talent, learning from failure, and how discretionary effort and team culture can drive meaningful business success.

We explore his views on professional development, the evolving role of non-executive directors, and why he continues to mentor others with passion and generosity.

Whether you’re at the start of your career or already in a leadership role, this episode is full of practical wisdom, heartfelt honesty, and genuine encouragement.

Chris Hanks LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hanks-3453a319a/

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Sam talks with Ethan Godlieb, Cyber & Tech E&O Broker at Aon and BIBA Young Broker of the Year, about his journey into the insurance industry and his career progression. Beginning his career on Aon’s apprenticeship programme, Ethan reflects on starting in a regional office, the importance of building relationships, and the deliberate steps he took to transition into the London market. He shares invaluable advice on securing secondments, building confidence, and advancing his career.

Ethan shares how he was instrumental in starting an apprenticeship network (Asset), which later merged into NGIN (Next Generation Insurance Network), creating opportunities for apprentices across the industry. He recounts key milestones in his career, including his shift from apprenticeship to broking management and eventually specialising in cyber insurance. Throughout the conversation, Ethan offers practical advice on navigating career goals, seizing opportunities, and balancing day-to-day responsibilities with extracurricular contributions.

Reflecting on his experience attending the BIBA conference, Ethan discusses the networking opportunities, insights from industry-leading speakers, and the benefits of connecting with peers in a social and professional setting. He also shares the process behind winning the Young Broker of the Year award, highlighting how resilience and determination have shaped his career.

To close, Ethan provides tips on standing out to judges when applying for industry awards, stressing the importance of metrics, testimonials, and showcasing impact. He also offers invaluable career advice, emphasising integrity, building trust, and setting and adapting career goals. He encourages listeners to embrace mentorship and networking, pursue professional development, and always seek opportunities to grow.

Links:

Ethan’s LinkedIn

Your Insurance Starter Kit - it’s free, you just need to setup a Teachable login

NGIN

Airmic

Ethan on Insure TV

Sam’s TikTok (Ethan’s award)

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Sam talks with Bamishe Alao, an emerging leader in the insurance industry, about her strategies for attracting graduates to the field. Starting her career on the WTW CRB graduate programme, Bamishe reflects on the initial challenges she faced, the balance of priorities, and the evolution of her networking skills. She credits much of her early success to mentorship and discusses the substantial benefits of enrolling in mentoring programs.

In their conversation, Bamishe highlights the pivotal role of LinkedIn in maintaining visibility and connections within the industry. Both Sam and Bamishe, as members of the Worshipful Company of Insurers (WCI), delve into the organisation’s structure, membership benefits, and networking opportunities that have been instrumental in their careers.

Looking forward, Bamishe shares an overview of her five-year plan, which includes achieving her ACII designation and advancing from Associate to Senior Associate in her specialised field of Directors and Officers Liability (D&O). She offers insightful advice on identifying and excelling in one's chosen class of business.

The discussion also explores the current state and future of the insurance industry, focusing on DE&I initiatives, retention challenges, and the shifting demographics at leadership levels. Finally, Bamishe and Sam discuss the impactful roles of reverse mentoring, traditional mentoring, and sponsorship in fostering career development.

Directly resulting from the podcast, Sam has started an anonymous campaign to promote salaries in the industry. Results so far can be found here: TikTok Campaign - Insurance salaries

Also in case you missed it, in 2023, Sam & Bamishe appeared together on Insure TV. Watch here: Sam & Bamishe talk BIBA on InsureTV

LINKS:

Bamishe's LinkedIn

Bamishe's TikTok

Connect Hive

D&O Diary

LTL Collective

WCI

Insurance Starter Kit

Leto Maternity Programme

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Sam talks to Phill Bratt, Partner at Keoghs London, about his specialisation in catastrophic personal injury law and his role in defending high-value personal injury claims. The episode addresses the evolving nature of legal careers, focusing on the importance of personal relationships and professional exposure. Phill provides key insights into the Ogden tables, emphasising their critical role in calculating future losses in high-value personal injury claims, particularly relevant for insurers and reinsurers. Phill shares how he discovered he had dyslexia, and he reflects on how the diagnosis has helped him in his working life, and provides invaluable career advice, stressing the importance of perseverance and seizing opportunities. His experiences and insights offer invaluable guidance for professionals navigating the dynamic and complex world of the legal profession. Drawing from his legal expertise, Phill hosts the 'London Insurance Lawyer Unbound,' podcast, and has started sharing his insights on his TikTok account (links to both are below). 

LINKS:

London Insurance Lawyer Podcast: https://londoninsurancelawyer.com/

Phill's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillbratt/

Phill's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@londoninsurancelawyer

Phill's Insta: https://www.instagram.com/londoninsurancelawyer

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In this episode of Empower Talks, Sam talks to Alina Schatten (née Jipa), who, at the time of recording was Chief of Staff to the CEO, but has recently accepted the position of Integration Director at RSA UK&I. Sam and Alina discuss her career in the insurance industry, which is a compelling example of adaptability, strategic career advancement, and the value of lifelong learning.

Beginning her journey with a rotational graduate programme at Hiscox, Alina seamlessly navigated through various roles, emphasising her versatility. Her proactive approach, notably reaching out to RSA's CEO, catapulted her into the influential role of Chief of Staff. Here, she demonstrates her expertise in strategic planning, project management, and supporting an executive team.

Education plays a pivotal role in Alina’s career, highlighted by her pursuit of a business and management degree and an MBA. Her advocacy for continuous professional development, especially the ACII qualification, mirrors her commitment to applying academic knowledge in real-world scenarios.

Alina's dedication extends beyond personal career growth to mentoring and nurturing new talent in the insurance industry. Her research on early career programmes and retention strategies underlines her commitment to fostering the next generation of professionals. Alina's journey and insights, shared with Sam, offer valuable lessons in navigating the complex yet rewarding landscape of the insurance industry.

Alina's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alina-jipa-schatten/

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In this episode, Sam chats with Lorraine Harfitt, CEO at Asta, about her diverse career journey in the insurance industry. Lorraine shares her path from Lloyd's of London to becoming CEO at Asta, discussing her roles at Lloyd's, including insights into her involvement in the Solvency II work stream.

Lorraine talks about the challenges of her career, the importance of adaptability, and the role of a supportive network. She also talks about succession planning, leadership development, and the responsibilities of a CEO.

Tune in to hear Lorraine's journey through the insurance sector, providing lessons on career progression, leadership, and navigating the complexities of the industry.

Links

Lorraine's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraine-harfitt-6ab60817/

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In this episode, Sam talks with Pritesh Thakrar, a Portfolio Analyst at Inver Re. Their conversation explores Pritesh's career journey from medicinal chemistry to his current role in insurance, including his involvement in the 'New Gen Project' initiative, which focused on creating internships for autistic individuals. They also reflect on the evolution of his career and how his diverse experiences across various organisational cultures have shaped his professional path.

Pritesh has authored an article titled '10 Lessons from a Decade in Insurance'. During the episode, Sam and Pritesh examine each of these lessons in turn, offering valuable insights into both personal and professional development that extend beyond the confines of the insurance industry.

The episode underscores the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and embracing new challenges. Pritesh's insights and advice are especially valuable for those either beginning or looking to progress in the insurance sector, rendering this episode an informative and practical guide for career growth.

Links:

Link to Pritesh's article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10-lessons-from-decade-insurance-pritesh-thakrar

Pritesh's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pritesh-thakrar-67611983/

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Sam talks to Grace Maxted FCII, a pivotal associate and key creative force at Empower Development. Grace's significant impact is particularly evident in our online courses, yet her influence extends much further.

Sam and Grace discuss her unique career, intertwining insurance and theatre, and reminisce about their initial collaborations at Empower Development. Additionally, they highlight some of Grace's notable career moments, revealing the depth of her professional journey.

Grace, a standout conversationalist, skilfully blends wisdom, compelling facts, and a variety of engaging stories. Join us in this episode to explore Grace's unique path and learn how important she is to the Empower Development team.

Recorded in May 2023.

Fact check: The Tom Hanks film Grace is referring to is ‘Bridge of Spies’.

Links:

https://insurance.museum/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grace-maxted-fcii-2702a1a4/

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In this episode, Amy Brettell shares her unconventional career journey with Sam. Having started as an Actuary within Zurich's graduate program, Amy moved across various roles within the organisation, including the mysterious Chief of Staff position, Head of Customer in UK Claims Role, and lead the digital transformation in claims at Zurich. Amy has recently stepped into her dream job as Managing Director at Zurich Municipal.

Sam and Amy discuss her early introduction to the actuarial field, a path she chose after discovering its possibilities through a career survey at the age of 14, leading her to step into the profession by the age of 21.

The conversation offers insights into effective career management, the importance of venturing out of one's comfort zone, initiating bold discussions on career progression, and the active pursuit of professional opportunities.

LINKS:

Amy's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amybrettell/

Zurich Grad Scheme: https://www.zurich.co.uk/careers/graduate-schemes

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In this episode, Sam chats with Beth Amaro, an experienced HR professional from the insurance sector. Beth spent seven years in Bermuda before an opportunity led her to London to progress her career in the insurance sector. Until recently, Beth worked as Head of HR at Fidelis. She has now started her own independent consultancy firm, advising companies on their HR needs. This shift has led to an interesting collaboration with Sam.

Sam and Beth discuss her career in HR, offering advice on progression. A key topic is their Leto programme, named after the goddess of motherhood and launching in October 2023. The programme is designed to support women and parents returning to work after maternity or paternity leave. Beth shares her personal experience of balancing career aspirations with motherhood and talks about the challenges many face when returning to the workforce.

Listen in to learn more about the Leto initiative and gain insights from Beth's journey in the insurance and HR sectors.

LINKS:

Beth's Website: www.bethamaroconsulting.co.uk

Beth's LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com › beth-amaro-0a19779

More info on Leto: https://empowerdevelopment.co.uk/product/leto/

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