Dawn Prescott, proposition executive at The Exeter, speaks to Health & Protection about moving from marketing to the proposition team, why her current boss has been her most important mentor and her passion for functional fitness.
How did you get into the insurance industry?
I started working for The Exeter in 2019 as a marketing executive. A local recruitment agency recommended the role as the company values and benefits were impressive compared to other vacancies at the time.
I’ve since moved into the proposition team at The Exeter and have been given so many opportunities to learn and develop my skills.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
The variety of my work.
As we’re a relatively small insurer, we get to work across multiple product groups and get involved with all stages of product management. For instance, we may make a recommendation in a product review, and be able to see it through to the governance documents, research and analysis, testing, and then launch.
Who has been your most important mentor in your career so far and why?
My boss, Aleks Gvozdenovic.
There was (and still is) so much to learn about the insurance industry, and when I first joined, it was overwhelming as to where I should start. She’s been brilliant with offering advice and direction as well as mapping out a clear development plan.
What advice would you give to people thinking about a career in the sector?
Take the plunge. There are so many roles you can pursue in the industry, and if you don’t click with the first one, there are likely to be other opportunities in another department.
My top tip is don’t worry too much about the acronyms or abbreviations people use. Your fresh perspective is what the industry needs.
What’s your ultimate goal for your career?
I don’t like to set large, long-term goals but tend to focus on achieving short-term milestones as these will feel more achievable.
This year I’ll be finishing my degree at The Open University. My goal is to get a first-class honours.
How would your boss describe you?
“Driven. Determined. Grounded. Unstoppable. Great sense for fashion and super fun.”
What’s your biggest talent away from work?
Towards the end of last year, I got into functional fitness (CrossFit). Safe to say I’m totally hooked and spend most of my time outside of work learning Olympic lifts or gymnast movements.
I’ve done three competitions since getting started and am in training for the next competition in August.
What mantra do you live by?
‘Don’t wish for it, work for it.’
It’s easy to procrastinate and not think practically about what you can do to get where you want to be. There are enough hours in the day to focus on what matters to you.
