Q: Tell us about your role. What do you do, and what do you find most interesting about it?
A: I’ve been a sales executive for Entegral since August, dealing with our customers in the UK and Ireland. Before that I was a branch manager of Enterprise Rent-A-Car for five years.
I think what makes my role interesting is the variety that comes with it and being able to oversee the whole claims process from end to end. I love working with insurers, manufacturers and bodyshops – understanding what is important for them, then putting solutions in place and helping create efficiencies all whilst improving the experience for their teams and their customers.
Having a technology centric role is a change to what I have experienced previously. But it is rapidly changing environment which makes Entegral an exciting place to be at the moment
Q: What made you want to work in this industry?
A: Two reasons: The challenge it presented, and the direction industry is heading.
Working to understand such a diverse industry with all its different intricacies has been a great challenge. Alongside, understanding a variety of different technology and variety of different ways that it can integrate into work processes. All whilst engaging with our customers to allow them to influence how we develop our products.
It was clear when I was researching the role that tech was gaining huge traction. The positivity of everyone made the decision to take this on a no brainer. COVID has had so many negatives but one positive outcome has been accelerating the consumer demand for tech – that desire and embrace of tech will surely correlate into industry demand
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenge to your industry in the next year?
A: I would say Brexit, but I imagine that’s an obvious one.
I think the other challenge would be how we adapt to climate change. The news this week regarding ending the sale of petrol and diesel cars from 2030 will throw up various huge challenges – are bodyshops going to be ready to repair? Will insurers have transparency of their network? Will they understand what their network of repairers are capable of and be able to match that up with each car’s more advanced and specific requirements? Then there’s also the consideration of how consumer habits will change. Will ‘Range Anxiety’ and price add further diversification to the way we travel?
I think we all need to consider the best interests for our industry. We want to move forward but have to consider what’s best for our planet and our customer.
Q: How would you like to see the industry improved in the next five years?
A: I’d like to see more examples of digital journeys and see the industry positively embrace the demand for tech. Customers should have the option to report a claim and deal with a whole claim with as few touchpoints as possible from the insurer.
I’d also like to see increased communication, collaboration and discussion in the industry – something I Love Claims is facilitating particularly well. We’ll all be facing the same problems in the next five years. How we deal with those together will be key for overall success.
Q: If you could give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be?
A: Something along the lines of exams aren’t everything. When I was 16, I wanted to be a doctor. I am now on a significantly different path after studying medical science at university. I ended up working in car hire which then led me to this role, which I love.
I think the key is to be flexible and open minded to opportunity.
