Diary of an Insurer: QBE’s Janine Bowler

Janine Bowler diary

Janine Bowler, senior account manager at QBE, enjoys cups of tea, sometimes a biscuit, a few laughs and plenty of trading with brokers while also squeezing in horse riding, rousing her son and looking forward to lighter nights for BBQs with friends.

Mondays

The alarm sounds around 6am and it’s straight to the usual discussion of whose turn it is to make a brew and feed the dogs.

Next, I hear the creak of my nine-year-old’s door and he appears like a grumpy teenager. 

startups

It’s an early school run today so that means time for a dog walk, which runs into our weekly call with the senior team checking in on all things people, figures and priorities for the next few weeks.

Another virtual internal meeting on broker performance, figures and plans. This is always a lively debate really showcasing how a healthy tension between underwriting and distribution can drive positive outcomes.

In between meetings, I take the time to grab some lunch and throw a load of washing into the machine before a broker and client monthly check-in, making sure all areas of both businesses are aligned.

I manage to tackle a few emails and return phone calls before it is time for pick-up after clubs: the mini-me is in high spirits until I remind him Mondays are English homework night.

Tuesday

Another early alarm and I am on for the brews as it’s swim squad training for my son so school by 7.45am – ouch! 

Tuesdays are one of our team anchor days in the office so I jump on the train after drop-off and head up to Manchester with my much-needed caffeine. 

Exciting day today as we hold our first construction seminar at the Manchester Art Gallery hosted by our casualty regional underwriting manager, with more than 70 attendees. 

horse

A great turnout with everyone enjoying networking over breakfast baps followed by an insight into the construction sector with focus around risk management and mental health, showcasing QBE’s client propositions and capabilities.

Next, it’s back to the office for a virtual quarterly review with a partner broker, reflecting on 2024, agreeing growth plans for 2025 and how we can help them achieve their outcomes.

At the next meeting, we discuss with a broker a large multiline renewal, pulling in all the regional underwriting managers and getting a deal done. By far, my favourite part of the job.

Just before the day is over, I take the last call of the day en route back to the station: a UK-wide executive level update on a partner broker. These are great forums for the regions to hear about central strategic conversations and to raise any successes or concerns to the exec level.

Tuesday evenings, I have a regular horse-riding slot where I skip bedtime routine and have me-time with my horse Hilary, along with hoping my dinner might be ready for me when I get back home. 

Wednesday 

Manchester skyline

I head back into Manchester for a few internal meetings. First, our UK distribution team regular catch-up. 

The team has grown so much all of our pictures don’t fit on one screen anymore. This is a great chance for us to get updates from our head of UK distribution, gain insight on markets from the different regions, along with the usual team banter to give everyone a laugh on ‘hump day’.

I manage to catch-up on some emails and calls before heading out for a late afternoon tea at 20 Stories to celebrate the retirement of one of our broking partners. I try to go for a run on Wednesdays, especially with eventing season looming. All the cake doesn’t make for a new personal best.

Thursday

Liverpool

After the shambles of my Wednesday night run, I try to redeem it with another run before the house wakes up. Even the dog looked confused as I coaxed him out of his basket. Today, 7km completed in a much more acceptable time. Endorphins are high and I’m ready for the day ahead.

School run complete I head off for Liverpool, listening to one of my guilty pleasure podcasts: Spencer [Matthews] and Vogue [Williams]. I also try to remember to pay the toll for the Mersey bridge.

Both meetings are broker trading meetings. These brokers have seen my journey in the insurance industry from when I started fresh-faced to then getting married, starting a family and welcoming me back from maternity leave to today. 

These meeting are some of my favourite – some good cups of tea, sometimes a biscuit, a few laughs, and most importantly some excellent trading conversations.

It’s a quick dart back across the bridge and I pass Hilary [the horse] on my way home. I manage to have a quick show jump lesson before the grandparents drop off after swimming club and the chaos of homework and dinner time starts. 

Friday

Working from home

Today, it’s a work from home administration day. I have a regular catch-up with the other BDMs in Manchester covering how the week has been and what the next two weeks look like around market visibility.

Since I started, QBE has always been supportive of the hybrid/flexible working model and because of this, I get to do some horse riding at lunch time as I start earlier and have a slightly longer lunch break. 

I always come back with a refreshed energy to get the rest of my tasks completed and lucky QBE gives us this opportunity.

Come 5pm, it’s time to grab the family and the dogs and head for a walk across the fields to the local village pub with friends. Roll on the lighter nights for BBQs with friends.  

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