Lizzie Bell, protection adviser at London Mortgage Partners, speaks to Health & Protection about her passion for mental health, why people thinking of entering the sector should not think of insurance as boring and about her role in the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony.
How did you get your start in the sector?
I first joined London Mortgage Partners as personal assistant to CEO Chris Dawe. While shadowing him and watching the business expand, the opportunity to work in insurance and protection became available and Chris encouraged me to take on the new challenge at the firm.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
I genuinely enjoy the peace of mind that my clients have cover and support should the worst happen to them. We all like to think it won’t happen to us, but you just never know. Also the job is so varied, each case and client is different from the next. No two applications are the same.
Who is your role model – in life or in work?
As cliché as it sounds – my parents. Apart from my knowledge on insurance, they’ve taught me everything I know in life but mainly to work hard, enjoy life and be happy. I try to make them proud.
Who has been your most important mentor in your career so far and why?
The CEO of London Mortgage Partners and LMP Protect, Chris Dawe. I have known Chris for many years. He gave me an opportunity to work at the firm a few years ago and has always provided the support and guidance I have needed to progress in my career.
He is great at supporting all his staff and making sure we all have the self-belief to achieve what we want to. Quite literally, I wouldn’t be in this role or where I am now if it wasn’t for him.
What advice would you give to people thinking about a career in the sector?
Insurance isn’t boring. I know it has certain connotations associated to it but there’s a great feeling in being able to provide clients with a high level of service and know you have helped them. Give it a go and you never know where you’ll end up in the industry.
What has been your biggest setback and how did you overcome it?
I was unable to get cover for one of my clients due to their mental health history and it genuinely upset me. They were young, fit and healthy but like so many of us today, they have had a battle with mental health. I overcame this by reassuring the client it wasn’t their fault and that the stigma around mental health is still so strong. It made me realise how every case and client is different.
Laugh or cry – what did your most memorable client or case make you want to do and why?
There have been days where I wish I could provide student discount or 20% off on a client’s premium. Times are tough for all of us at the minute and sometimes my clients have had high premiums that I wish I could reduce.
What’s your ultimate goal for your career?
My goal is to learn as much as I can in my role so that I can continue to provide a high-quality service to my clients and know that they have the best and most suitable cover for them. I also want to improve on eradicating the stigma around mental health.
I’m extremely passionate about mental health and want to help others so they don’t feel ashamed and can feel like they can get cover too. Where will I be in the next 10 years? Watch this space.
How would your boss describe you?
I like to think he’d say I’m his best employee. However, I think he would say I’m hard working, willing to learn, I always have a smile on my face and need to talk less in the office.
What’s your biggest talent away from work?
I used to be a professional dancer so my biggest talent out of the office is dance. My career highlight was dancing in the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London, that’s one to tell the grandkids.
What mantra do you live by?
Life’s too short. You have to do what makes you happy, go on that holiday, buy the dress and eat the cake.
What song would you regard as your theme tune?
Taylor Swift – Shake It Off