60 second interviews with members of the Company

60 seconds with Paolo Cuomo

Member of the Insurance Women's Inclusivity Network Board

Why did you join the WCI?
I was looking for a way to broaden the people I knew in the insurance industry. The WCI seemed like a great way to join a very diverse group of individuals but with common interests.

How has the WCI helped you develop your career?
It has given me a chance to speak informally to people in a broad range of roles about work-related topics. It has also given me connections on topics such as Sustainability and Digital Transformation that would have taken far longer via other routes.

What has been the highlight of your time in the WCI?
I’m still early in my WCI journey so am regularly enjoying new and exciting opportunities. An event earlier this year in the Old Bailey stands out as my highlight – we had dinner in the Grand Hall along with a discussion around the role of insurers and solicitors in supporting responses to the climate crisis.

What is the WCI’s greatest strength?
As a modern livery company the WCI blends traditions that draw together membership with a strong awareness of what is important to the broader insurance community - from discussions on the impact of regulation and education around ESG to the ‘women in insurance’ agenda of iWIN and our participation in cross-livery committees including the pan-livery Financial Services Group and Pollinating London Together.

Which events do you value the most?
I am still at the point of being bowled over by the beauty and history of the livery halls and buildings such as The Guildhall and The Mansion House. As such I'm attending a large range of dinners, breakfast briefings, and ceremonies. I suspect over time some of the novelty will wear off (and the food will put pressure on my belt!) but the varied conversations will remain.

What does being part of the wider City Civic mean to you?
Every month I learn another intriguing and impressive aspect of this. There is of course no specific definition of the term “City Civic” but the series the Master has been running with experts has been sharing both the traditions and the modern aspects. Having several WCI members, including David and Irem, as Common Councillors means we’re constantly hearing examples, from their role in the announcements around King Charles III to decisions on how frequently to do street cleaning at the weekend. I look forward to playing an ever-greater role – especially on the topic of sustainability where I believe the City and the insurance industry have the potential to be hugely influential.

In just one word, describe the WCI to a potential new member.
Wonderfully eclectic (yes, I know that’s two, but hopefully you let me have it)

Karl Jarvis

Junior Warden

Why did you join the WCI?
Opportunity to network

How has the WCI helped you develop your career?
I was a director when I joined the WCI and I’ve been with the same firm, S A Meacock for over 25 years, but one thing I have enjoyed immensely is assisting others to broaden their network and encourage them to develop their skills and confidence to be the best of themselves.

What has been the highlight of your time in the WCI?
I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Livery Committee and organising WCI cycle teams for five Help for Hero Bike rides, raising over £20,000. Also, setting up the Beef Carvery and Fish and Chip lunches proved popular and it’s great to see them continuing.

More recently, as the WCI representative on the Financial Services Group (FSG), I have enjoyed contributing to seminars about finance, strategy and ESG. This helps ensure that Insurers punch their weight in assisting the Lord Mayor and contributing to City Civic issues.

What is the WCI’s greatest strength?
Fellowship. Being there to assist others as their careers in insurance develop. Of course, we are proud of a first-class Philanthropy programme, managed by John Young.

Which events do you value the most?
The Mansion House and Winter lunch are opportunities to celebrate the Master’s year and an opportunity to share the Livery experience with family and friends, while the Livery Committee Friday monthly lunches are a favourite for introducing potential members to the WCI experience. The Lord Mayor’s Show and the Pancake Race are must do events.

Who (in the WCI) has had the biggest influence over you and why?
I have huge respect for all the Masters, as they have each added to the Insurers’ reputation. One hesitates to select any in particular but Rosemary Beaver is a fountain of knowledge on all aspects and shows sound judgement, Terry Masters led me into the FSG and his stylish ability to engage and motivate others is impressive and David Sales brings a sense of value and fun and his sheer commitment to improve the WCI and make it an enjoyable experience for all members, is inspiring.

Terry Hayday has had the most influence on my career for over the last 25 years – a most valued friend and die hard WCI contributor of exceptional skill and dedication.

What does being part of the wider City Civic mean to you?
Inter livery, FSG, Pan-livery, City Livery Club are all part of a broader livery movement which broadens anyone’s livery experience. The other side of City Civic are the Ward Clubs, Common Councillors, Aldermen, Sheriffs and the Lord Mayor and understanding how these contributors all fit together makes the experience of the WCI all the more meaningful and richer.

In just one word, describe the WCI to a potential new member
Fellowship

60 seconds with Samantha Ridgewell

Co-Chair of iEngage

Why did you join the WCI?

I fell in love with the insurance industry soon after falling into it and have spent a lot of time promoting insurance careers to young people. When I discovered the WCI I found a way I could do this with likeminded people across the insurance community, increasing the impact we could have and building great relationships along the way.

How has the WCI helped you develop your career?

The WCI has helped me in so many ways. Not long after joining, I launched my business Empower Development. Started a business was far out of my comfort zone and going from working with a close team to being a solo entrepreneur was somewhat lonely. I quickly found that the WCI is full of insurance entrepreneurs and Directors who were able to provide great advice and encouragement which has helped me build knowledge and confidence and been instrumental in the success of my business to date.

What has been the highlight of your time in the WCI?

One of the initiatives I have been fortunate to get involved in is the Sheriffs Challenge, where students from schools across the city compete by presenting their ideas and thoughts on a topic given to them. The finals take place in the Old Bailey where they present to the Sheriff and Judges who then select a winning. Supporting the students through their research and presentation preparation and observing this event at the Old Bailey was such an honour and a memorable experience.

What is the WCI’s greatest strength?

Insurance is great at facilitating networking opportunities however often at these events you speak to people not knowing if you will cross paths again. At the WCI, you know those you meet you will see over and over, creating long-term connections and friendships as well as opportunities to include your friends and family in particular events.

Which events do you value the most?

Through iEngage, our young members committee, we are able to attend bi-monthly mentoring events where we have 1:1 conversations with members of iNED. I have gained so much from these session, through their shared wisdom and the motivation I get from speaking to such inspirational individuals.

Who (in the WCI) has had the biggest influence over you and why?

Rosemary Beaver, a past master and the first female master in itself makes Rosemary a brilliant role model, but more so, Rosemary applies care and kindness to everything she does and is a brilliant example of what it means to be an insurance liverywomen.

What does being part of the wider City Civic mean to you?

Growing up outside of London, I viewed London as ‘everything inside the M25’. After woking in the insurance market I thought I had a good understanding of the city of London, turns out I knew very little, and the more I learn about the history, philanthropy and tradition the more I realise I have to learn. I especially enjoy the Sheep Drive, as do my four and two year old daughters!

In just one word, describe the WCI to a potential new member.

Enlightening

60 seconds with Terry Masters

Master 2018-19

Why did you join the WCI?

I didn’t join until quite late in my career. I realised that many of the people in the London Market whose friendship I valued probably wouldn’t be work colleagues in a few years’ time so joining the WCI was an ideal way of maintaining those links.

How has the WCI helped you develop your career?

It has certainly broadened my knowledge of the modern insurance industry. Mixing with those from different sectors and different professional backgrounds – lawyers, loss adjusters surveyors and so on – made me appreciate how diverse our industry is.

What has been the highlight of your time in the WCI?

My year as Master. I was so lucky as I finished in October 2019 before Covid hit and didn’t face the huge challenges and disruptions that Rosemary and David had to deal with.

What is the WCI’s greatest strength?

Unity. Most people share the common goals of promoting insurance and the Livery. We are one of the last professions that is still very personal and that goes very well with the Livery world. The WCI offers a perfect blend of both.

Which events do you value the most?

The great events, Mansion House, the Installation Dinner and so on. In this day and age there are many fewer of these events but when you get several hundred people in a great hall it shows that there is still a strong interest in the formal, traditional events.

Who (in the WCI) has had the biggest influence over you and why?

I could name quite a few. It is the access to such a wide and diversity of people from young members, charity partners, right through to CEOs that has influenced me.

What does being part of the wider City Civic mean to you?

This is something I feel strongly about. We are such an important part of the City but a few years ago some of us felt strongly that we had no influence west of Bishopsgate so we set out to make a much greater input into the City Civic. Six years later we have three Aldermen, five Common Councillors and a Sherriff and have got a long way in getting the insurance voice heard in the City Civic.

In just one word, describe the WCI to a potential new member.

Inspirational