NAME: Philippa Berry
NEW JOB TITLE: London-based cyber product leader, CFC Underwriting
PREVIOUS POSITION: London-based senior underwriter, corporate cyber, CFC Underwriting
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: To remain relevant and keep up with the pace of emerging risk, the insurance industry needs to adopt technology and provide proactive risk management services for clients. At CFC, technology is at the core of our service offering, we utilize our proprietary technology, Insight, to automatically gather large volumes of structured data, both risk-specific information and general firmographic data, to streamline the underwriting process. Insight also actively monitors our portfolio against emerging threats and vulnerabilities so we can proactively advise clients of emerging threats, a service that is a critical component of our cyber product offering.
GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: I would love to be able to support and mentor younger women at CFC and in the insurance market. I have been incredibly fortunate to work for, and be mentored by, hugely talented people in the market so far in my career, and as a woman in a senior position in the industry Id like to repay the favor.
CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: The cyber market is currently experiencing the most challenging conditions of its existence. CFC is committed to cyber as a class of business, and core to our strategy is to maintain the integrity of the product. We have seen some competitors limit or remove key areas of cover but, rather than take this approach, we are focusing resource and infrastructure on prevention and mitigation services for our clients, to ensure we can continue to offer a sustainable and accessible product. The cyber threat analysis team at CFC, along with Insight, provide service to our clients.
FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY JOB MARKET: I started my insurance career at Howden Insurance Brokers in 2012, joining a team of highly ambitious and creative brokers. It was an intense working environment, balanced with fun, which eased me nicely into the insurance industry. Many of my colleagues from Howden remain close friends to this day. One of the beauties of the London insurance market is that we are only ever a few bars away from each other.
ADVICE: Always send a thank you email after a meeting. Youd be amazed how few people do, and it will make you stand out to clients.
OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: BBC news reporter, although having recently filmed segments for CFCs Cyber Masterclass, I now appreciate its not as easy to read autocue as it looks.
COLLEGE MAJOR: Economics and politics, University of Leeds. I graduated in 2010 and then spent a year traveling around southeast Asia and Australia.
LOOKING FORWARD TO: CFC is such an exciting place as I get to work with the most talented cyber insurance and security professionals in the market, who share a mutual ambition and drive. My new role is focused on executing a number of key strategic cyber projects that will mean we continue to be the cyber insurance provider of choice.
FAVOURITE MEAL: Im a sucker for the simple classics: Prawn cocktail, beef Wellington and tender stem broccoli and an Eton mess for pudding.
BOOK: The book thats had the biggest impact on my career and I refer to time and time again is Option B, by Sheryl Sandberg.
HOBBIES: I took up the Peloton during lockdown and love that Im able to take an exercise class with my friends in New York from the comfort of my home in London.
TV SHOW: My ultimate guilty pleasure is the Real Housewives franchises. Miami is my particular favorite at the moment.
ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: I love to spend time with my nieces and nephew. I really dont take for granted how fortunate we are to be able to meet with family and friends again freely after the last two challenging years.
