Anthony Brown, Senior Loss Adjuster Natural Resources, Perth, Australia
What encouraged you to join the insurance industry?
Before joining Charles Taylor, I was experienced in managing civil engineering design teams, had technical and operational roles in production of building materials, civil construction project management, and acted as Superintendent on large scale residential land development projects in Australia.
I was looking for a change when a recruitment consultant approached my colleague looking for someone from industry to learn about insurance, specifically loss adjusting. The role interested me, so I decided to pursue it and haven’t looked back since. Since joining Charles Taylor in 2016, I’ve managed a variety of complex property, construction and engineering, business interruption, and rail infrastructure losses.
What does your job entail on a day-to-day basis?
The priority is to provide insurers and other interested parties with timely information about an insurance claim and progress technical and complex losses towards settlement. As my background is in civil construction, building materials (concrete and quarries), and project management, I am typically involved in construction and engineering related losses.
Which claims have you worked on that have been particularly memorable?
I was fortunate to assist Stephen Thorpe, now Global Head of Natural Resources at Charles Taylor, with a claim involving a derailed and extensively damaged coal loader including the subsequent business interruption loss. It was a great learning experience for me, particularly in managing a contrasting insurance market and their concerns around Policy coverage.
What have you enjoyed most about your role at Charles Taylor Adjusting?
Loss adjusting offers so much variety which really helps to keep things interesting from day to day. I’m able to maintain contact with the construction and engineering industry through site visits and dealing with Insured’s who are working in similar roles to those that I have previously held. Charles Taylor adds value in the claims process because we understand insurance, but more importantly we understand the industries in which the Insured operates.
For someone starting their career in insurance, what guidance would you give them?
Find a good mentor for all those Policy wording and coverage discussions. It’s important to ask lots of questions and discuss why a Policy operates in the way it does. Listen (eavesdrop) on as many discussions between senior colleagues as you possibly can as it generates lots of questions which helps fast track your learning.
When you’re not at work, what do you like to do?
I still play cricket occasionally and very socially, golf (albeit badly), and tinkering with a 1965 Ford Mustang GT.
Where is your favourite holiday destination?
There are too many to list! In Australia, the coastline at Exmouth in Western Australia is stunning. It includes the Ningaloo Marine Park with coral reefs, colourful fish, and migratory whale sharks. And overseas we’ve had so much fun driving through the wine country in Sonoma County, California.
Neil Armstrong, Senior Adjuster, Natural Resources, London, United Kingdom
What made you join CT?
Renewable energy is my specific focus and Charles Taylor gave me the opportunity to further my career within the larger Natural Resources Team. Having joined, I feel like my contribution is valued and our renewable energy presence in the wider insurance market is going from strength to strength.
On a day-to-day basis, what does your job entail?
Regular communications with Insurers, Brokers, and Policyholders about the progress of a claim is an important part of my job. Reporting writing with details about specific claims in order to keep the wider insurance market up to date, especially with regard to potential claim quantum is also key to the role. With travel restrictions gradually lifting, visiting clients for onsite inspections has also enabled valuable face to face meetings again.
How did you adapt to the changes during the pandemic and what are you most looking forward to now restrictions are eased?
I predominantly worked from home before the pandemic, so there was little change in my day-to-day work pattern. However, after months of only seeing colleagues virtually, I’ve really enjoyed catching up in person and it’s great to spend time with colleagues that you don’t necessarily have meetings with. I’m also looking forward to the return of site visits and claims related travel as it’s much more enjoyable to build relationships face to face with the various parties involved than through virtual meetings.
What do you enjoy most about your role at Charles Taylor Adjusting?
I find Charles Taylor and especially the Natural Resources team has a very supportive environment where hard work is recognised and rewarded. We have a very capable administrative division that takes the stress out of administrating a claim and frees me up to focus on the claim process itself. I find loss adjusting in general to be a rewarding career with a lot of job satisfaction and a good work/life balance.
For someone starting their career in insurance, what guidance would you give?
Relationships are a key part of the business. Get to know as many people as you can and keep your eyes open for opportunities to both develop and display your skills, in whatever area you have chosen to work in.
When you’re not at work, what do you like to do?
I used to live on a boat and am very passionate about sailing. I also enjoy reading, cycling, tinkering with cars, and snowboarding when I have the opportunity.
Where is your favourite holiday destination?
It’s hard to beat sailing around the Inner and Outer Hebrides in Scotland, at least when the sun is shining, and the midges are hibernating.
