Episode Guest:

Joanne Musselle is the Group Chief Underwriting Officer at Hiscox, where she oversees global underwriting strategy and risk management. With more than two decades in the industry, Joanne is passionate about mentoring future leaders and showcasing insurance as a career that powers progress.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:46 Why Joanne said yes to My Duvet Flip

1:21 Growing up in Barry, Wales

2:28 Early jobs that built Joanne’s work ethic

3:49 Lessons from working in a hospital

5:03 Discovering a career in insurance

6:13 Handling rejection and the power of feedback

8:15 Overcoming “feedback fear”

10:09 Tailoring feedback to different personalities

12:33 The surprising scope of insurance

13:42 Why you must understand insurance end-to-end

15:21 Claims as the “shop window” of insurance

15:54 Explaining underwriting with M&Ms

17:04 How insurers price risk

18:57 The impact of climate change on insurance

20:02 The real purpose of insurance: pooling risk

20:55 Lifelong lessons from parents and early mentors

22:12 Why striving for perfection holds you back

22:56 Moving to Singapore — a career-defining leap

24:39 Building confidence by taking opportunities

26:40 The importance of generosity and community

27:50 Mentorship and the value of giving back

28:17 22 years at Hiscox — why Joanne stayed

28:55 The non-negotiable values that guide Hiscox

30:05 Why young people should consider a career in insurance

32:14 How cyber and AI are shaping the future of risk

32:44 One action to take if you want to be an underwriter

34:27 Joanne’s duvet flip – what gets her out of bed in the morning

Episode Partner

Hiscox, a leading international insurer with more than 3,000 employees worldwide. The company is known for specialist insurance solutions and a strong commitment to customer service.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

Laura Shaw is Head of Digital Trading at Hiscox UK, where she leads the integration of technology and broker relationships to drive growth. With over 25 years at Hiscox, she has held 12 different roles, championing change and the development of future talent.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:09 Why Laura said yes to My Duvet Flip

1:12 First job lessons — from WH Smith to the post office

2:20 Why applying for more than one job matters

3:40 Discovering insurance after university

4:57 Surprises about the insurance industry

5:04 26 years, 12 jobs — Laura’s Hiscox journey

6:01 Moving from trainee underwriter to new opportunities

7:02 Taking risks and battling imposter syndrome

7:56 Learning new skills in different locations

8:46 Why meeting people in person matters

9:39 Dealing with things going wrong — honesty first

10:20 Finding confidence and being authentic at work

11:32 Why people are at the heart of Hiscox

12:14 When colleagues leave — keeping relationships alive

12:57 Laura’s current role — digital trading explained

13:56 Bringing AI into insurance

15:18 The skills needed to use AI effectively

17:10 Top three skills Laura looks for in her team

18:08 Secrets to a successful insurance career

19:04 Why young people should join insurance

20:16 Laura’s advice for your first day at Hiscox

20:52 The two reasons she’s stayed 26 years

21:58 One word to sum up her career: change

22:45 How to embrace change as a journey

23:14 Laura’s duvet flip — the future of insurance

Episode Partner:

Hiscox, a leading international insurer with more than 3,000 employees worldwide. The company is known for specialist insurance solutions and a strong commitment to customer service.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Episode Guest:

Steve Parry is Group Claims Director at Hiscox, where he leads global claims operations with a focus on fairness, innovation, and helping customers navigate challenges.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:33 Steve’s first job in Manchester

1:29 Why Steve chose insurance over the family business

2:37 Starting in claims with just £250 authority

3:35 From Manchester to London – chasing bigger opportunities

4:33 Restless ambition and the “Incredible Hulk” drive

6:02 Core values: fairness, respect and honesty

7:55 Lessons from a $20m mistake in South Korea

9:39 How competition shaped (and humbled) Steve’s career

11:49 Building winning teams: Negative Nellys and Analytical Andys

14:19 Coaching and steering teams to success

16:11 The toughest jobs Steve’s ever had

18:17 Steering noisy meetings back on track

19:39 Why “Steering Steve” became his superpower

21:00 The future of insurance: change and agility

22:43 Why customer journeys will define the industry

24:31 Balancing tech, AI and the human touch

27:19 How AI is reshaping claims and service

29:02 Why insurance claims is an exciting career path

30:39 Data, prevention and the future of claims

32:46 Why Steve is passionate about mentoring

35:22 The power of being restless and authentic

37:24 Why crab moves matter in your career

38:58 Steve’s duvet flip – what gets him out of bed

Episode Partner

Hiscox, a leading international insurer with more than 3,000 employees worldwide. The company is known for specialist insurance solutions and a strong commitment to customer service.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/