Why transition from journalism to consulting?
This step was shaped by the desire to put all my skills to use. Classic journalism at a newspaper for example wasn’t the right fit because I want to stay in Financial Services. Aside from AM, not many outlets focus on FS at this high level. An alternative would have been some sort of communication or press-related field on the topic. However, that would focus more on journalistic skills and less on my industry knowledge. IG&H will allow both areas to shine, so I took this as a great opportunity.
During your tenure in financial media, what insights did you gain?
Visiting a lot of companies, I discussed important topics with industry leaders and witnessed best practices. People being happy to work for the company is key. Surprisingly, that's one of the biggest issues I came across. A common thread across successful companies is a strong, innovative technical focus on process as well as culture; you implement technical innovations and keep the people who work with that technology happy. When those two are aligned, your customers notice directly.
How do you look towards the future of Dutch insurance and intermediaries?
Financial Services in the Netherlands are at an exceptionally high level. With business accumulating in the Managing General Agent insurance (Dutch ‘volmacht’) branch, the Dutch market has become more attractive to foreign players. Without a doubt, competition will change and become more international.
Many people have wrongly predicted the end of the intermediary in the past. That will never happen. But intermediaries do have to keep reviewing the question 'What is being asked of me?'. Their advisory role is expanding. Nowadays, business customers expect more: You are not just a gateway to insurance, but increasingly a risk manager. A high-level sparring partner. The parties who master this well will have the future.
How do you view the relationship between technology and insurance?
Insurance goes back centuries. Therefore, parties often feel there’s no room for innovation, but I don’t think that's true. Optimizing operations and distribution is an ever-ongoing process and technology will always be a key factor. It's like home improvement: the work is never done… you cannot sit on your hands.
Everything is pivoting on IT. Consolidation also means patchwork and legacy systems must somehow work together. IT departments in consolidating businesses are spending most of their time on these issues. There is less opportunity for real innovation. That presents a weak spot in many companies.
In your new role as a manager, how will you support the FS industry?
What I can bring to our IG&H team is the ability to get the right answers. Especially by asking questions that can make you feel a little uncomfortable. As in journalism, we're not here to praise the hard work in the past. We're here to improve for the future.
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