S2 E5: The Importance of Community Involvement and Leadership with Lucy Hodgson

People in Insurance: Changing the Conversation

In this episode of 'People in Insurance: changing the conversation,' Lucy Hodgson, a director at Eastwood Insurance Brokers, discusses her dual identities, her deep-rooted career in the insurance industry, and her commitment to community involvement.

Inspired by her father, Lucy's journey in insurance started early, and she now leverages her experience to mentor and lead, especially through her work with the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA).

The conversation explores the importance of giving back, the evolving landscape of training and insurance, and the need for adapting to modern challenges while fostering young talent and the need for the insurance industry to innovate its training approaches to balance flexibility with effective skill development.

Quote of the Episode

“If you ask the right questions, or ask, just ask questions, sometimes it doesn't need to be the right questions, just ask questions. Have an interest in somebody and it's amazing what you'll find out. You can then cater for them individually. Ask questions and make sure you're really listening to the answers.”

Key Takeaways

• The importance of early exposure to the insurance industry: Lucy Hodgson's experience of visiting her father's workplace as a child and the impact it had on her career choice suggests a need for more initiatives to bring children into insurance workplaces and promote the industry as a career path.
• The power of leadership development programs: The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program that Lucy directs demonstrates the significant impact structured leadership experiences can have on young people.
• Lucy discusses the challenges of training new insurance professionals in the post-COVID era of remote work. She highlights the importance of maintaining hands-on, interactive learning experiences and the value of in-person interactions for developing skills and confidence.

Key Quotes

“I fell into insurance and then they laugh. Well don't just laugh, say I fell into insurance, but this is my career, this is who I am, this is what I do, these are the people I meet. Talk about it, tell a story of being an insurance person.”

“I think over the next 10 years, technology is going to continue to, you know, move forward so, so quickly. I'm already feeling that I'm starting to get out of touch with some of it, to be honest. So, How I see the future is really, it's almost doesn't really matter what I think. I think it's about what do these young people think. We've got to give them the opportunity now to, to start having their say about things because the one thing I've noticed really is that they do think very, very differently.”

About the Guest

Lucy Hodgson, a director at Eastwood Insurance Brokers in Huddersfield, joined the company in 2006. Based in Huddersfield, she has significantly contributed to the firm's reputation for prioritising client-specific, independent insurance solutions.

Lucy has built a notable career in the insurance industry, inspired by her father, who introduced her to the field as a child. Her extensive experience is complemented by her community involvement, notably through her role as the Course Director for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA).

She is also a vocal advocate for brokers engaging in community initiatives, enriching their personal and professional lives.

https://eastwoodinsurancebrokers.co.uk/

About the Host

Sarah Myerscough is the Chief Ideas Officer at Macaii, formerly Boston Tullis. She hosts/co-hosts several podcasts and is known for her knack in connecting with people. Sarah excels in bringing out the best for video, podcast, and live events, helping clients showcase the human side of their business.

Sarah is passionate about the evolving dynamics of the insurance industry and enjoys conversing with innovators, trailblazers, and long-term advocates of change.

Website: www.macaii.co.uk