Penny speed meets... Jon Byford, head of personal lines intermediary motor, Axa
Being an insatiable socialite, Penny Black is always eager to probe the personalities behind the professional veneer of her industry friends. What better way to squeeze in and share as many intimate revelations as possible than her very own ‘speed meeting’ column? This week, it’s the turn of Axa’s Jon Byford.
What was your first ever job — and were you any good at it?
Paperboy – probably the fastest one in the area, as I loved cycling at the time so whizzed through my round in no time
If an MP3 player could only hold three tunes, what would you select for the ultimate soundtrack to your life?
Our Velocity by Maximo Park; Spiralling by Keane; and Wires by Athlete
Who was your top teenage pin-up?
Isabella Rossellini
My colleagues won’t know this about me but...
I once ran a marathon with a broken toe
Favourite book of all time?
Blood Music by Greg Bear (I’m a big sci‑fi fan)
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Learn from your mistakes. I’ve had plenty of learning opportunities
What would be your chosen superpower?
Time travel
If you could be Prime Minister for the day, what change would you instigate and why?
I would streamline the incredibly burdensome regulatory regime surrounding the insurance sector
How would a typical school report about you read?
Jon needs to concentrate
My top tip for climbing the insurance career ladder is...
Be adaptable
What’s the most annoying thing people do in your office?
Tinker with the temperature setting for the air conditioning. Brrrr
My last supper would comprise...
Lobster chowder to start, followed by roast cod and clams with bacon mash and spinach, drizzled with a creamy shallot sauce and, for dessert, New York cheesecake
Who has been the most influential person in your life?
My wife (well, that’s what she tells me)
When I’m not working I like to...
Run
Last film you saw?
The Impossible
If I wasn’t working in insurance I would probably be...
A computer geek
Name your five ideal dinner party guests (dead or alive) noting what they bring to the party
Stephen Fry for his knowledge and rapier wit; Bill Bailey to provide music and humour; Nigella Lawson for her culinary insight; Boris Johnson for clever buffoonery; and Leonard Nimoy as a wildcard entry to share anecdotes from his life
Marmite: food of the gods or work of the devil?
Work of the devil
Career high point to date?
My current role, of course
What do you say when strangers at a social gathering ask what you do for a living?
I’m an underwriter, to which the response is often “ah, so you sell insurance...”
If you could travel back in time, where would you go?
Probably back to see a younger version of myself to provide some sound advice (and lottery numbers)
Finish this sentence: Insurance is a great industry to work in because...
It offers an incredibly diverse range of roles and opportunities, and you get to work with some of the best people of any industry
Would you like to be probed by Penny on one of her speed meets? Get in touch via Stephanie Denton
Only users who have a paid subscription or are part of a corporate subscription are able to print or copy content.
To access these options, along with all other subscription benefits, please contact info@postonline.co.uk or view our subscription options here: http://subscriptions.postonline.co.uk/subscribe
You are currently unable to print this content. Please contact info@postonline.co.uk to find out more.
You are currently unable to copy this content. Please contact info@postonline.co.uk to find out more.
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (point 2.4), printing is limited to a single copy.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@postonline.co.uk
Copyright Infopro Digital Limited. All rights reserved.
You may share this content using our article tools. As outlined in our terms and conditions, https://www.infopro-digital.com/terms-and-conditions/subscriptions/ (clause 2.4), an Authorised User may only make one copy of the materials for their own personal use. You must also comply with the restrictions in clause 2.5.
If you would like to purchase additional rights please email info@postonline.co.uk
More on Personal
Portion of buildings underinsured falls to six-year low
The percentage of UK buildings that are underinsured has fallen to its lowest level for at least six years, but remains “unacceptably high”, according to data from valuations provider Rebuild Cost Assessment.
Tesco merges insurance and money services following Barclays sale
Tesco has sold its banking operations to Barclays, the firm confirmed this morning in a press release.
How the FCA could address premium finance failings
Marc Maxfield, risk and regulation expert at PA Consulting, explains what steps the regulator could take to reduce profiteering from premium finance plus how insurers should prepare for the watchdog's probe now.
Allianz and Aviva reportedly considering Esure bids
According to a report by Bloomberg, both Allianz and Aviva are considering bids for Esure, which has been owned by Bain Capital since 2018.
Q&A: Ben Wooltorton, Cover-More Group
Ben Wooltorton, managing director of Zurich-owned Cover-More Group’s UK business, outlines the impact of the Consumer Duty and explains how he intends to increase the travel and speciality insurance provider’s number of partnerships.
Seven takeaways for the insurance industry from Labour’s Budget
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered the hotly anticipated first Budget of the new Labour government on Wednesday afternoon. Insurance Post picks out the most eye-catching points for the insurance industry.
Post-pandemic supply-chain issues beginning to ‘stabilise’
Aviva's technical claims manager Martin Smith has told Insurance Post that supply-chain issues caused by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine have ‘stabilised.’
Ensuring essential insurance satisfies the consumer
After the Financial Ombudsman Service stated it expected to receive an uptick in complaints from consumers who opted for cheaper car premiums without realising the impact this would have on the level of cover, Tom Luckham examines how the differences between standard and essential policies are communicated.