Diary of an Insurer: Brokerbility’s Jason Beach

Monday

Mondays are my opportunity to recalibrate and align with the team. It’s about reviewing the past week’s progress and planning for the days ahead. 

Given how quickly things can change in our business, a quick catch-up with our schemes governance and market management director and our product manager, and sometimes our relationship manager, is crucial. 

We take stock of where we left off last week and discuss new priorities that may have popped up since then. These discussions help us stay on track and ensure nothing important slips through the cracks.

I work from home on Mondays, unless I’m required to be elsewhere for a meeting, which is rare. This set-up gives me the flexibility to plan for the week, prepare for upcoming tasks, and review any updates or cases that need attention. 

The afternoon is usually quieter, so it’s the perfect time to get ahead on paperwork or other administrative tasks, setting myself up for the days ahead.

Mondays are far from glamorous, but I find them grounding. It’s a time to think strategically, reflect, and get organised before the hustle of the week kicks in.

Tuesday

Tuesdays are a different beast altogether. I spend these days at our Leicester office, working closely with the Brokerbility and wider Clear Group team there. 

My day starts early, leaving home at 5.30am to beat the traffic and ensure I’m ready for a full day of meetings when I arrive around 8am. 

These meetings are essential for staying in tune with what’s happening on the ground across the business and engaging with various teams.

Before heading out, I use my Monday to prepare for the trip by packing everything I’ll need and reviewing any updates that may have come through. My wife works in a restaurant and finishes late, so I typically pick her up after work, juggling both my professional and personal responsibilities.

Tuesdays are also when we have our weekly Brokerbility team meeting. I chair this session, making sure it stays focused and within a one-hour time frame. 

We review what’s been achieved the previous week, set goals for the current week, and identify any obstacles that need addressing. This is a great time for team members to raise issues they might be facing and collaborate on solutions.

One of the key discussions during this meeting revolves around new potential affiliate partners. Recently, I met with a prospective partner, and I updated the team on how the meeting went and whether I felt the partnership would be a good fit.

Ensuring any new affiliate relationships align with Brokerbility’s vision and add real value to what we offer brokers is a priority.

We also discuss most importantly, the latest membership engagements, where our broker relationship manager updates the team. Keeping everyone aligned on best practices, insurance services, and maintaining strong relationships with key managers is essential for delivering top-notch service to brokers.

Wednesday

Wednesday is another day in Leicester, but it’s focused on deeper, more strategic work. This is the day I focus on compliance, business development, and long-term planning. 

A lot of my time is spent ensuring our members propositions are up to date, especially in light of the latest regulations like Consumer Duty. At the moment, we’re also reviewing all our brokers’ agreements to ensure we remain compliant.

Additionally, Wednesday is when I sit down for a one-to-one with our schemes governance and market management director. 

This meeting is a blend of personal and business discussions, ensuring that the team is feeling supported and that any issues are addressed. Our schemes governance and market management director does a fantastic job of keeping morale high and ensuring everyone’s needs are being met. 

I also have a regular one-to-one with our managing director, where we dive into the broader strategy and make sure we’re aligned on priorities.

These sessions are incredibly valuable, allowing us to fine-tune our approach and build stronger working relationships.

Thursday

Thursdays are often a whirlwind. Recently, I’ve spent much of my time visiting broker offices with our relationship manager. 

These meetings are crucial for understanding how our brokers are feeling, reviewing our propositions, and ensuring our service levels are meeting expectations. We take this opportunity to assess how our insurers are performing, looking at things like trading appetite and service levels. 

Feedback from these meetings helps us adjust our approach and make improvements where necessary.

For independent brokers, it can feel isolating at times, and part of our role is to make sure they feel supported. These reviews are also a chance for us to stay proactive and resolve any issues before they become larger problems.

Friday

Fridays bring a change of pace. Lately, I’ve been involved in the Elevate management development program at University of Warwick, which has been an exciting opportunity to grow professionally. 

The programme is a year-long commitment and provides a fantastic chance to expand my network, learn from my peers, and step back to gain a broader perspective on my role and the business as a whole. 

It brings together people from across Clear Group, and it’s been valuable for building connections and learning from others hopefully making me a better manager and leader.

Aside from the programme, Fridays are a good time to reflect on the week, tie up any loose ends, and prepare for the week ahead. While the week may be winding down, there’s always something to wrap up or think about before we jump back into the next one.