From apprentices and team leaders to divisional leaders and Executive Committee members, we wanted to showcase some of our great talent but also highlight the diverse range of opportunities and specialist areas a career at Gallagher can offer. Next up, we’d like you to meet Anna Beadsmoore.
Tell us about your role at Gallagher
I head up the Title / Legal Indemnities team within our Real Estate division, specialising in insuring legal defects in property transactions. Helping transactions proceed, growing our client’s revenue while protecting their balance sheet. This involves broking, sales and management.
What was your very first job and what did that teach you?
I was a waitress at Loch Fyne for many years. This taught me essential customer service skills and the value of money – when you’re earning minimum wage, you appreciate every penny!
Did you have a childhood career ambition — and are you prepared to share it?
When I was little I used to go to Astronomy club (very cool) and wanted to be an Astronaut…
How did you come to work in risk management & insurance: choice or chance?
A bit of both – I knew I wanted to work in sales and finance. Having interned in Singapore after University, I interviewed for an insurance broker in their sales and development team and never looked back.
What excites you most about the industry?
The people, it is still an industry built on relationships and good faith and despite technological enhancements, I believe this will continue across many classes of insurance.
What has been your career highlight so far?
Being asked to manage and run the legal indemnities team. Being recognised by my peers within the Real Estate industry as an expert and being asked to speak on panels is a real compliment.
Winning new business (especially against our competitors) is always a highlight and I remember the feeling of winning my first ever account.
What one piece of advice would you give to your younger self / What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Pick up the phone! Building relationships does not happen over emails. It’s easy to hide behind a computer but there is no substitute for speaking to people and meeting face to face.
The insurance industry as a whole continues to face the challenge of an under-representation of women at senior level — what do you believe could help ‘move the dial’?
Mind sets need to change regardless of gender. When I was growing up, I had no idea that a career in insurance was possible, we need to educate younger women and the rest will come naturally. There are so many really promising people in our company and we need to make sure that we support them, rather than them finding opportunities elsewhere.
Describe what you like most about Gallagher in 5 words….
Culture, people, opportunity, integrity, entrepreneurial
What do you see as the industry’s greatest challenge?
Staying relevant to all people from all backgrounds and ensuring that our reputation as an industry improves.
Which three inspirational famous people — past & present — would you invite to a strategic offsite to devise a plan to overcome that challenge, and why?
- Ranulph Fiennes – for his bravery and worldly experience
- Stephen Fry – for his wit, charm and class
- Oprah Winfrey – for her insight, determination and poise (and to pay for the drinks)
And finally, tell us something about you which people might be surprised to learn
I was a quarter finalist on Masterchef!
