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/

Episode Guest:

Chris Loake is the Group Chief Information Officer at Hiscox, where he leads global technology, data, and cybersecurity. With a career spanning finance, banking, and technology, Chris is passionate about resilience, adaptability, and building winning teams.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:43 Chris’s first ever podcast

1:17 From paper round to first jobs

2:00 Advice for your first day at work

2:32 From Harvester to accountancy

3:21 Why hating a job can be valuable

3:56 Discovering technology by accident

4:48 Building a first career plan

5:52 How to succeed with “no skills or experience”

6:38 Programming vs leading

7:14 Routes into technology: apprenticeships and bootcamps

8:25 Tech roles that aren’t coding

9:19 What makes someone “super techie”?

9:51 Lessons from technology for life balance

10:43 Building resilience through sport and work

12:03 Why you should never be the fastest in the club

12:26 Work with people who inspire you

13:02 What to ask in a job interview

14:02 Discipline vs motivation

15:21 How to stay disciplined in your career

15:50 Career pivots and lessons learned

17:04 Running towards the hard stuff

17:31 Why failure matters

18:04 The record label failure story

19:00 Why Chris chose business over entrepreneurship

20:28 What makes a true entrepreneur

21:38 Small business vs large business experience

22:46 Go where the people inspire you

23:32 Career pivots vs job hopping

25:00 Landing a first job in tech

25:49 What a Group CIO really does

27:04 How to experiment with new technologies

28:17 Transferable lessons between tech and careers

28:54 CIO vs CTO explained

29:33 The career steps needed for leadership in tech

29:39 Why Chris joined Hiscox

30:47 Technology as a competitive advantage

31:38 Supercharging people with technology

32:44 Why adaptability is the ultimate skill

33:27 From asking two questions to asking 200

34:15 Chris’s invisible success

35:23 Chris’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/

Episode Guest:

James Brady is the Property Divisional Director at Hiscox, where he leads underwriting and strategy across the UK property market. With over 18 years at Hiscox, James has built teams, led growth, and championed insurance as one of the world’s best-kept career secrets.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:41 James on demystifying insurance careers

1:12 First job and early lessons in pensions

2:33 How to stand out in a competitive job market

3:28 Knowing your differentiator in interviews

4:40 When a “good vibe” job isn’t the right fit

5:28 Why you should never leave without another role lined up

6:21 The role of recruiters and how to spot a good one

8:12 Why you must drive your own career

9:41 The non-linear path to success

10:46 What Hiscox taught James about opportunity

12:22 Why insurance is the world’s best-kept career secret

13:36 The variety of careers inside insurance

14:57 How the Lloyd’s of London market works

16:58 Local vs London underwriting explained

18:56 Why James has stayed 18 years at Hiscox

20:39 What makes a great manager

22:17 The hardest and most rewarding part of managing people

22:53 Moving from London to Manchester — a career-defining opportunity

24:20 What to consider before saying yes to a big move

26:09 Rebuilding the Manchester team and brand

27:31 The power of consistency and being as good as your word

28:28 Specialising in media and technology insurance

29:49 Insuring content creators, designers, and media giants

31:07 Why join Hiscox and the insurance industry today

32:46 James’s duvet flip – what gets him 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:

Cath Frost is the Chief Operating Officer at Hiscox UK, where she leads over 400 people across operations, data, change and customer service. With a career spanning finance and insurance, Cath is passionate about building high-performing teams and creating brilliant customer experiences.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:41 Cath’s first ever podcast experience

2:04 Why Cath joined the insurance industry

4:16 The hidden opportunities in insurance

6:42 What Cath would do differently starting out

8:19 Worrying, planning, and career growth

10:02 Should you always have a five-year plan?

11:33 Why building teams matters more than titles

12:09 What does a COO really do?

15:31 Six jobs in one: inside Cath’s COO role

16:14 Jack’s customer experience with Hiscox

17:50 The three pillars of customer service at Hiscox

18:57 How to start if you want to be a future COO

20:29 Finding happiness at work (and when Cath didn’t)

23:32 Creating brilliant teams and finding purpose

25:18 Why fun at work is non-negotiable

26:40 The employee–employer balance of responsibility

29:12 Educating first-time employees about expectations

32:07 Why curiosity is Cath’s biggest career advice

34:37 One year at Hiscox: what opportunity means

35:52 Cath’s duvet flip – what gets her 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/

My Duvet Flip x Hiscox Takeover Trailer.

Episode Guest:

Valerie Michie is the CEO of Choice Care Group and a passionate advocate for the power of social care careers. With a background in leadership across multiple sectors, she’s committed to making care more visible and accessible for the next generation.

Careers at Choice Care Group:

https://bit.ly/45epykU

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:42 Why Valerie joined My Duvet Flip

1:44 Valerie’s first proper job at Asda

3:23 Lessons in communication and teamwork

5:00 Becoming a better communicator through listening

7:06 Pushing through discomfort and growing confidence

8:19 From graduate uncertainty to KPMG

9:32 Realising accountancy wasn’t her calling

11:02 When to move on or stay in a job

12:47 The “black circle” diary reflection method

13:44 Worst money mistake Valerie ever made

14:28 The power of saving early: Valerie’s top money tip

16:12 Why reflection matters in your career

18:30 Reflecting as a team in the care sector

20:03 Why young people rush — and shouldn’t

21:29 Valerie on becoming a CEO

23:06 Advice for new starters in any industry

24:11 Give it a year — Valerie’s rule of thumb

25:57 What a CEO actually does at Choice Care Group

27:00 Career paths within care: Support Worker to Manager

28:44 What makes a great care worker?

30:01 Why care is a brilliant industry for young people

31:05 Making care and support more visible

33:00 What young people told Valerie about joining care

34:28 Where Choice Care Group operates

35:09 Why join Choice Care Group?

36:06 What care taught Valerie that corporate life didn’t

37:00 “Choices Got Talent” and holding hope for others

39:45 Valerie’s advice to care job applicants

41:22 Valerie’s life lesson: listen first

43:39 Valerie’s duvet flip: what gets her out of bed

Episode Partners

📊 Compare the Market

Discover how you can make a difference at Compare the Market, the company behind one of the UK’s most popular comparison sites. From tech and data to marketing and operations, they’re on a mission to simplify decisions for millions.

https://bit.ly/4i53Svj

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/