The initiative, Mentoring The Market (MTM), aims to build a network where people involved in the insurance claims process, including claims handlers, underwriters, brokers, lawyers, barristers and loss adjusters, can share their skills, knowledge and experience with others.
Tom Bedford, insurance partner at DACB, said: ‘What is different about the MTM initiative is that we’ve moved away from the standard junior mentee/senior mentor arrangement.
‘We’re encouraging individuals with all levels of experience of the insurance market to consider joining as a mentee. There is always more to learn about insurance, and discovering this shouldn’t be limited to those who are newer to it.
‘Mentees might, for example, want a deeper understanding of the role of brokers, greater insight into the underwriting process, advice on career progression or clarity on the implications of a recent legal ruling or development.’
Bedford devised and set up the initiative, along with William Naylor, DACB senior associate, and Rachel Ansell and Natalie Hall, senior claims adjusters at Markel.
Ansell said: ‘Insurance has tended to focus on those in underwriting roles.
‘We see claims as the counterpart to underwriting and are pleased to provide an offering to those working in or with claims, enabling them to connect with others outside their organisation, expanding their knowledge, perspectives and reach. The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive. I’m excited to see where we’ll be in a year’s time.’
Hall said MTM would offer the market seminars and events on topics beyond technical subject matters, as well as mentoring.
‘For example, we hosted a talk on 15 June 2021 on oceans and sustainability,’ she said.
‘This is an increasingly important topic and one many people wished to know more about.’
For further information, contact mentoringthemarket@dacbeachcroft.com