Kirstie joined Volante Global in September 2024 as Chief Underwriting Officer Short Tail D&F. We talked to Kirstie about the first three months at the firm and how her non-linear career journey has helped Kirstie see the bigger picture when assessing risks and industry shifts.
What attracted you to join our company, and how have your first three months been?
A bit of a whirlwind, but in a great way. It’s been hugely enjoyable getting to know everyone in the organisation, not just in the UK but in our regional offices as well. The job of course attracted me, being CUO for a Lloyd’s syndicate is an ambition for any underwriter, I really liked that it is a fairly new company, so lots of opportunity to make positive change, there’s a fantastic culture here, but primarily Talbir and Roshni who were both very engaging and warm throughout my interview process.
Can you share a bit about your career journey so far and how it has prepared you for your current role with us?
It’s definitely not been traditional or linear, and I think that’s helped me have a diversity of thought and be able to see things from multiple angles, which is hugely important in an underwriting role. I started out in a processing role, moved across to Global Property Underwriting, had a career break when I had my children in which time I got a degree in Psychology and worked in a clinical research team in the NHS, setting up clinical trials. Once I graduated and my children were old enough I came back and worked my way up from a temporary underwriting position to where I am now.
What do you see as the most exciting trends or changes in our industry right now, and how is Volante positioned to lead in this space?
The world is changing rapidly bringing new risks to be managed, these are the exciting trends, how can we support the energy transition and what complexities do these new processes bring to insurance. How will AI models help us in risk prediction, particularly with the rapidly changing climate? Volante still has the luxury of being a young company unwedded to historic legacy systems or philosophies. But as it is sat within the Lloyd’s ecosystem, it can take advantage of the wealth of experience that environment brings which is exactly what the industry needs, the nimbleness of our youth with the experience of Lloyd’s positions us perfectly to face these new and exciting risks and challenges.
What has surprised or impressed you most about our company culture since you joined?
The friendliness and welcoming nature and the positive attitude of everyone I have encountered wasn’t a surprise, but it is very impressive.
What are you most excited about in your role, and what impact do you hope to make in the coming months?
Supporting the underwriting teams develop their books, entrenching technical underwriting ability across the business and ensuring that underwriting knowledge is shared broadly.
Finally, how do you spend your spare time?
Most of my spare time is spent either swimming, pottering around in the garden, growing vegetables and trying to keep bees, or horse riding across the South Downs when I can get out.
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About Volante Global
Volante Global is a multi-class, multi-territory international Managing General Agent & Lloyd’s Syndicate that combines best-in-class underwriting powered by data-driven business processes deployed through a strategic platform. Registered and headquartered in the UK, Volante Global is built upon a financially secure foundation. On March 22, 2022, Volante Global was acquired by Acrisure, a fintech leader that operates a top-10 insurance broker.
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