Joanne Musselle, Group Chief Underwriting Officer at Hiscox: The Maths Behind the World’s Biggest Risks

Episode Guest:

Joanne Musselle is the Group Chief Underwriting Officer at Hiscox, where she oversees global underwriting strategy and risk management. With more than two decades in the industry, Joanne is passionate about mentoring future leaders and showcasing insurance as a career that powers progress.

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction

0:46 Why Joanne said yes to My Duvet Flip

1:21 Growing up in Barry, Wales

2:28 Early jobs that built Joanne’s work ethic

3:49 Lessons from working in a hospital

5:03 Discovering a career in insurance

6:13 Handling rejection and the power of feedback

8:15 Overcoming “feedback fear”

10:09 Tailoring feedback to different personalities

12:33 The surprising scope of insurance

13:42 Why you must understand insurance end-to-end

15:21 Claims as the “shop window” of insurance

15:54 Explaining underwriting with M&Ms

17:04 How insurers price risk

18:57 The impact of climate change on insurance

20:02 The real purpose of insurance: pooling risk

20:55 Lifelong lessons from parents and early mentors

22:12 Why striving for perfection holds you back

22:56 Moving to Singapore — a career-defining leap

24:39 Building confidence by taking opportunities

26:40 The importance of generosity and community

27:50 Mentorship and the value of giving back

28:17 22 years at Hiscox — why Joanne stayed

28:55 The non-negotiable values that guide Hiscox

30:05 Why young people should consider a career in insurance

32:14 How cyber and AI are shaping the future of risk

32:44 One action to take if you want to be an underwriter

34:27 Joanne’s duvet flip – what gets her out of bed in the morning

Episode Partner

Hiscox, a leading international insurer with more than 3,000 employees worldwide. The company is known for specialist insurance solutions and a strong commitment to customer service.

Disclaimer:

The content provided on Duvet Flip is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. The views expressed by hosts, guests, brands or contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the show's producers, sponsors, or affiliates. The information shared is not a substitute for professional advice, including but not limited to career counseling, financial guidance, legal consultation, or mental health support.

Listeners and viewers are responsible for their own decisions and actions based on the content provided, and Duvet Flip assumes no liability for any outcomes resulting from reliance on the information shared. By engaging with the show, you acknowledge and agree to this disclaimer.

If you’re struggling with debt, trusted advice and free support can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice

If you’re struggling with mental health of any kind, you can find free support here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/