What is your role now since leaving corporate life?
After 35 plus years in the corporate world I started Monuments Consultancy Ltd 2 years ago.ย As an independent consultant and trusted advisor I use all the experience I gained as an insurer, MGA & broker to help businesses scale, and help the people within them grow and develop. Having made and learnt from mistakes over the years it is great to be able to pass those lessons on to others.
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How long have you been an expert of Camelot?ย
I joined 18 months ago just as I was developing my business.ย It was the best thing I did in those early months. I have made many new friends, reconnected with old ones and been introduced to a whole range of fascinating businesses along the way.ย You never stop learning and every day is a school day, still even after all these years.
Have you been a panel expert on any Road Tests? If so which & can you remember what the themes were & how you enjoyed helping them?
I have had the pleasure of participating in many Road Tests since I joined Camelot. There is an abundance of innovation in the market place and many of our corporate partners are at the forefront of that innovation.ย Some of our corporate partners have a temptation to talk in tech language that the people they are selling to may not understand. I help articulate the solutions they are proposing in a way that the insurance market (insurers, MGAโs, brokers) understands.ย This makes the process so much easier for both parties.
Are you a leader or a member of a Camelot Special Interest Group? If so, why and what do you get out of it? Or hope the industry gets out of it?
I have been involved in many discussions on a variety of issues.ย I currently sit on the Working Group looking at how we can help the market utilise the power and knowledge within Camelot.
Being able to access 150 plus ex C-Suite insurance executives is unique, as is the fact that every aspect of the market is represented.ย This means that the insurance sector can come to us with pretty much any challenge and find a solution from people who have been there, seen it and done it.
Area of expertises:-
Independent business reviews
MGA expertise, having started and scaled two.
Mentoringย
Connecting people and business through my large network formed from over 37 years in the UK market.
Highest/proudest most recognisable previous role
Being apart of the senior management team that started two successful MGAโs and helped them grow to ยฃ100m plus GWP (gross written premium) The thrill of walking into an empty office with just a carpet and then building a successful business and team with all the highs and lows is addictive but bloody hard work!
How long have you been doing this subject/area - years of experience
I started my career in the 80โs initially in claims briefly and then quickly moved into a career in underwriting.ย I worked with insurers for 14 years then into the MGA space for 18 years and then led a large independent broker for 2 years.ย I have loved the variety of my roles around the UK and can now use this broad experience to help my clients.
What is your company name?ย ย
Monuments Consultancy Ltd - named after two monuments well known to me, one being the Wallace Monument near my home in Stirling and the other the Great Fire of London Monument in London which I see on my weekly trips to the capital.
What is your LinkedIn profile URL?ย
Please can you provide some examples of recent projects/professional high point that youโve worked on?
I am currently working with two businesses that are starting MGAโs. I am advising on their strategies toย navigate what can be a complex journey.ย In addition I am working with one of Americaโs largest insurers C-suite to advise on a large change strategy which will see the business double over the next 3 / 4 years.
Professional highs have to be building two large MGAโs from scratch.ย
My first ever consulting job was with a broking business where they were looking to grow and diversify it.ย I became the MD and helped grow the business by 50% over a two year period.ย I enjoyed experiencing life as a broker and the challenges they face and also
ย the challenge to develop the leadership team, who are now taking the business forward very successfully.ย
Building a successful consulting business from scratch has to be up there as well!ย
What is your unique selling point? What makes your business approach unique?
I have held senior positions within insurers, MGAโs and Brokers throughout the UK, including the London market, and scaled all these types of businesses. I also have a deep understanding from all three perspectives.ย By being independent, I provide practical advice to the leadership teams on how to help grow and develop their business and people.
Do you have a Favourite quote?
โOnly those that risk are truly freeโ
Any professional goals for the upcoming year?
I am fortunate that every year gets busier and more varied.ย I would never have expected I would be advising such a wide range of insurance sectors and also using my network to find so many solutions for people. That is the joy of being a consultant and collaborating with others. I get a lot of pleasure in undertaking deep dive reviews to inform the leadership on strategies they want to put through their businesses. I am also about to start doing training in the Far East so Monuments Consultancy may be going global later this year! I just love seeing businesses and their people grow and scale.
AndโฆLast but not least, how does being an expert of Camelot help you/or add value to your business?
Camelot came along at the perfect time for me as I was starting to build my business.ย The support it gave me in the early months was instrumental to my success as a consultant.ย It is full of people who just want to help you succeed and you can get advice and support on any topic.ย If you want to be a consultant in the insurance space joining Camelotย is the best decision you will make.