Diary of an Insurance PR: NextGen’s Roma Braithwaite

Monday

I grab a coffee, catch up with any weekend emails, while also keeping up to date with the latest industry news. I also like to prioritise my day ahead.

My morning consists of spending some time managing any upcoming awards’ submissions for our NGC clients.

This is followed by events coordination. The most important part of this is securing press and TV interviews at prestigious industry events with top press journalists from key insurance publications. 

Being an approachable bunch at NGC, we enjoy networking at events as it is always a pleasure to reconnect with people in person.

In the afternoon, I check key insurance industry publications for any client media coverage relating to press releases currently in circulation and also to see if expected client event interviews have gone live.

In the evening, we all head out for some obligatory ball games on Hove Lawns – also this is my attempt to tire out our in-exhaustible twins.

Tuesday

Today, I scout the press newsletters for any potential thought leadership opportunities. Then, I liaise with relevant insurtech journalists regarding coverage for current client press releases that we have out.

I have a mid-morning Zoom call with a top insurance event organiser regarding client opportunities for an upcoming prominent event, ensuring the options meet our clients’ needs.

Next on the to do list is reporting, updating our in-house matrix with client coverage.

This afternoon, I turn my attention to data analysis of our monthly press coverage statistics, in order to monitor clients’ exposure, before moving on to some essential research for prospective new clients – exciting.

This evening, we headed out to enjoy a family walk by the sea.

Wednesday

Starts with the routine response to emails before an internal work planning call with the boss regarding leveraging clients’ desired exposure for the latter half of the year, strategy implementation and analysing the client press coverage status to see how we can step up to maximise any leads with this.

One of the benefits of living by the sea means that I can break up the day and re-power the brain with a refreshing 30-minute lunchtime sea swim. It was both delightful and exhilarating. Now feeling fully charged for the rest of this afternoon’s tasks.

As part of a global PR firm, I turn my afternoon attention to growing our Asian media communications network and focus on strengthening our relationships ahead of some upcoming projects.

This evening, after dinner, we settle down to a family snuggle on the sofa and watch a movie.

Thursday

After a broken night of cats playing ‘zooming’ across the flat and therefore waking one child in the process, we stick to the morning plan and breakfast together before school.

My morning plan is: 6am – Hit the mat for morning yoga practice before the house awakens. 6.45am – Feed the four cats, have a shower, make packed lunches and stir my 10-year-old twins. 7.30am – Family breakfast. 8.20am – leave to walk the twins to school after de-linting them from hugging all four cats goodbye on exit. 9am – Back home at my desk.

Then, I hop on a train to London for a client meeting before heading to an industry event to manage pre-arranged press and TV interviews and monitor client on-stage presentations for social media.

While I love working from home, I also love the buzz of live events like InsurTech Insights, where NGC was the official media partner and also at ITC Barcelona, last year.

Friday

After the obligatory morning clearout of email correspondence, I search for any overnight client coverage that may have gone live before settling down to some events-driven preparation work for Monte Carlo’s Rendez-Vous de Septembre 2024.

Over lunchtime, I enjoy a dip in the sea to recharge and refocus, however, to my (and everyone else’s) amazement, I was joined by a seal! A harbour seal, apparently. His name is Arthur.

Now to invest some time, researching publications we work closely with, regarding media opportunities they offer and aligning these to our clients.

A quick check to make sure all calendar reminders are up to date by the close of the working week, plan the working-week ahead and we are ready to go again for Monday,

Time now to collect the twins from school and head for Japanese club. Was meant to be just for the children, but somehow, [husband] Tom and I stayed. I am now fluent at saying the colours at the traffic lights on the school run. Arigato!

I like to end the week in reflection of where I am. I really do feel fortunate that I enjoy my work; being a communicator, building global relationships, and essentially, being a part of a world-class story-telling team.

Best bits about my job are:

• working with amazing professionals who demonstrate intelligence and humility.
• working remotely; allows for a healthy work-life balance.
• having the best boss, Simon Hayes, who makes the above two points a reality.

I have always believed it is important not to stay stuck and to challenge yourself with goals in life. Therefore, as part of my recent re-location to Brighton (Hove actually), I am planning to increase my lunchtime swims, in a bid to start channel-swim training (on the bucket list). Who knows – maybe Arthur, will join me on my venture.