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
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