Rising Star: Mike Boast, Smithers Purslow

How did you get into insurance?
Andrew Bussey, a director at Smithers Purslow, visited my University, Nottingham Trent, in 2008 to give a lecture about buildings insurance claims and surveying. I was fascinated and encouraged by the level of work involved in this industry and believed my future had to be in this area. I felt the opportunity was too good to miss and wrote to Smithers Purslow and I was invited for an interview and offered a place on its graduate scheme.

What achievement are you most proud of?
Becoming a Chartered building surveyor was a key milestone in my career but I also take a lot of pride in the everyday role of helping policyholders through the buildings insurance claim process and getting their lives back to normal.

My biggest challenge has been the Cumbria floods in 2009 where I was able to co-ordinate dozens of major losses in the region and get families back home efficiently and cost effectively. As a young surveyor this was a really rewarding process.

What advice would you give to newcomers to the industry?

"Mike has risen to every challenge we've set him from initial training, achieveing member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors status, training others and now leading and developing our Midlands' field team.”

Andrew Bussey, Smithers Purslow director

Be personable, interact and take time to get to grips with individuals' concerns, then review the situation and agree an action plan or realistic goals that reassures everyone but also controls their expectations. Also don't forget you're always learning. In the insurance industry there is barely a day that passes without me seeing a new or unusual construction detail or situation that needs handling in its own unique way.

How has your view about the insurance industry changed since you started?
Insurers now seem more alert to identifying unusual situations and have moved away from the ‘one size fits all' perspective at claim instruction; ensuring certain projects get passed to technical experts or independent specialists at the right stage.

In recent years insurance companies and loss adjusters have requested more regular updates and cost validations to ensure works are undertaken as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I currently control our operations in the Midlands and am expanding our surveying services regionally. Within the next decade I hope to have efficient and respected field teams with varied specialisms working from a number of offices throughout the region. Ultimately, I aspire to be on the main board of directors at Smithers Purslow.