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. Today, we'd like you to meet Libby Snow.
Tell us about your role at Gallagher
I am an Associate in the UK Construction team, specialising in UK Projects for Property Owners and Developers.
What was your very first job and what did that teach you?
A weekend job at Clinton Cards. I was 16 and it gave me independence, grew my confidence and taught me how to communicate with people of all ages.
Did you have a childhood career ambition — and are you prepared to share it?
I used to tell everyone as a child that I really wanted to be an archaeologist. I still to this day have no idea where that came from or whether I even knew what it meant. As the years went on, I wanted to be a professional musician (playing clarinet and piano) and I hit a cross roads when it came to applying for university or the Royal College of Music – in the end I chose to do a Psychology degree.
How did you come to work in risk management & insurance: choice or chance?
Choice because I made the decision to move careers after working in events for a law firm and finding that I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had expected – my first insurance job being in Construction was chance.
What excites you most about the industry, [in terms of how it impacts on businesses and people]?
I like that it works in many ways – to give advice to help prevent things going wrong, to provide protection in case things go wrong, and to help when things do go wrong. The fact that this industry is so heavily built on relationships has been something I’ve always loved about it.
What has been your career highlight so far?
Making the move to Gallagher Construction last July– I had been in my previous job for 6 years and I was ready for a new challenge. It’s a great team to be part of and I am excited for what the next few years hold as we look to further build the UK Construction business.
What one piece of advice would you give to your younger self / What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t waste time worrying about things that haven’t happened yet, and might not happen at all.
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’?
Flexibility and acceptance ….it may be that some very capable and ambitious women may let go of aspirations to achieve career progression to a senior level as they don’t believe it will fit in with their future plans.
Describe what you like most about Gallagher in 5 words….
The people and the culture
What do you see as the industry’s greatest challenge?
The use of data and technology. The industry has to modernise whilst still retaining all the aspects that make the insurance market what it is.
Which three inspirational famous people — past & present — would you invite to a strategic offsite to devise a plan to overcome that challenge, and why?
Kathrine Switzer - the first woman to run a marathon despite women being banned. She carried on even after a race organiser tried to physically drag her off the course – that kind of determination is something we can all learn from.
Adele – she just doesn’t take rubbish from anyone and is so down to earth. I love that.
Steve Jobs – who better to talk to about technology?
And finally, tell us something about you which people might be surprised to learn
I’m in a show choir called The Adam Street Singers and we have appeared on This Morning and Strictly Come Dancing!
