Julie Webb

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Julie Webb is a self-professed ‘people person’, so client-facing work suits her to a tee. ‘I love getting to know them and metaphorically holding hands, especially through the onboarding process,’ she says.

Webb understands that insurance is not 'one size fits all' - rather, it is up to her to [understand] that everyone is different; their lifestyle, interests, collections and homes.'

A degree in fine art valuation underpins a commitment to attention to detail, ‘so if a claim occurs further down the line we know we have done everything to help the claim settlement and experience.’

Understanding how to communicate with the client is vital to Webb, and she often finds herself asking whether to deploy the ‘nag or the non-nag approach’.

‘I want to be proactive and not just reactive,’ she explains. ‘I want an open and honest relationship, to give fair advice and to enjoy the relationship. Put simply, it’s how I would like to be treated. Trust is paramount.’

This is especially true in claims that have an emotional element – for instance, when a property has suffered damage such as fire, water or theft. ‘You are with them during that time. It’s distressing for them, so you do get emotionally involved and want the claim settled as quickly and efficiently as possible,’ says Webb.

Having worked in both wealth management and a law firm, she also understands the importance of taking a holistic approach.

‘We are part of that jigsaw to protect assets. We’re also in the middle between clients and insurers, and we need to understand both sides in order to have a win-win outcome.

‘I have seen inside some amazing homes around the UK and Europe,’ Webb continues. ‘There is something magical about knocking on a front door and wondering who I will meet and what they have collected.

‘I need to be the eyes and ears of an underwriter, so I know the best way to present a risk but also this is an opportunity to really get to know what the client is looking for in a broker and trusted advisor.’

Indeed, her career has taken her so many places and into the orbit of so many people, that choosing one defining moment is difficult. ‘Claims are the proof in the pudding,’ says Webb.