‘Elite woman in insurance’ on what it takes to be a person of influence

‘Elite woman in insurance’ on what it takes to be a person of influence | Insurance Business New Zealand

Diversity & Inclusion

‘Elite woman in insurance’ on what it takes to be a person of influence

Three-decade veteran believes just because something isn’t broken doesn’t mean it doesn’t need fixing

Diversity & Inclusion

By
Terry Gangcuangco

“We are all women of influence, and sometimes it just takes someone to be a mirror for you so that you can see how amazing you are and what your reflection looks like.”

Those were the words of Nicky Eveleigh (pictured) while reflecting on her recent recognition as one of Insurance Business New Zealand’s Elite Women for 2023. Speaking with WTW New Zealand country head Michael Brown, Eveleigh shared the philosophies she lives by and how they help her as an ‘elite woman in insurance’.

Eveleigh, who moved to the land of the long white cloud more than a year ago, told Brown: “I’ve always tried to put myself in other people’s shoes so I can understand any situation. So often, until we understand an issue from all angles, we actually cannot influence and ensure there’s a win-win situation.

“As you know, I emigrated from South Africa to New Zealand at the end of 2021. It was critical for me to get to know people, so I ensured that I built relationships with all the colleagues, clients, community, which has made a big impact and been vital for me to be able to have the impact that I have.”

‘Not everything that works doesn’t need fixing’

For Eveleigh, who serves as property and casualty leader for the corporate risk and broking unit at WTW NZ, it’s also important to challenge the status quo.

“As brokers trying to achieve the best options for our clients, we should always question why things are done a certain way,” Eveleigh said. “That means challenging assumptions and stereotypes, which I’ve tried to do throughout my 32 years as both broker and insurer in the industry…

“Everybody says, ‘If it’s not broken, you don’t need to fix it’. But just because it’s working, [it doesn’t mean] that you shouldn’t look at it, because you’re actually looking at something that might be done a better way. And I’ve challenged everybody I’ve worked with to say, ‘Why are you doing it; is that the best way; and can you think of something else?’”

To be a person of influence, however, it’s not necessary to be in a leadership position, in Eveleigh’s view.

“You just need to be someone who impacts others in a positive way. It’s one of the things that I’ve done since I’ve been in New Zealand, and that’s how I have managed to maybe have an impact on people since I’ve been here,” she said.

“There’s a quote that I love on Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls Facebook page, which talks about taking a giant collective fist to the glass ceiling and supporting and celebrating each other’s successes… We need more of this positivity, not just at Willis but in the industry.”

Message to women, younger people in insurance

According to Eveleigh, she’s been fortunate to have been surrounded by “really amazing” women, both at WTW and within the broader insurance market, and there is one thing she’d like them to remember.

“If there’s one message I try to instill in them on a daily basis, it’s that they’re all capable, and sometimes are so much more than they even know,” she told Brown. “Too often, I think, women don’t recognise and acknowledge their worth. I believe that we are all women of influence, and sometimes it just takes someone to be a mirror for you so that you can see how amazing you are and what your reflection looks like.”

Currently mentoring two female colleagues, Eveleigh also has a message to the younger demographic who might not be as excited about creating a career path in insurance.

“Financial services is often viewed by the younger generation as a boring career,” she said. “However, my view is quite the opposite. No two days are the same. We need to do a better job of demonstrating what a great career insurance is for both men and women in the industry…

“My son has just decided to join the industry, and this was not me telling him to go down that route or suggesting it. It is because he had heard me talk about broking and saw how interesting and challenging it is, and he’s actually now just joined an insurer.”