Diary of an Insurer: QBE’s Hannah Wilkinson

Monday

My alarm is set for 7am, although there is really no need as my two children, aged five and eight, wake me up long before then.

Time for some much-needed caffeine before getting them ready for school. When I’m back from the school run, it’s time to join the weekly motor senior leadership team call. It’s an important opportunity to see what the team’s priorities and movements are for the week ahead.

After that, I catch-up on a few emails and calls. Lunchtime quickly rolls around, and I take a short walk to the local village, the perfect opportunity to gather my thoughts for the afternoon ahead and to pick up a tasty sandwich from the local bakery.

After lunch, I spoke with one of our partner brokers. The meeting focuses on the upcoming pipeline, performance and priorities for the next quarter and into 2026, ensuring we are aligned.

I was recently appointed as the motor trade underwriting manager following the retirement of my predecessor, Iain Bickers. In my new role, I lead and influence the strategic direction for the motor trade portfolio in the UK.

As I find my feet in this new role, I am spending a lot of time strengthening and building my network.

This is followed by a call with one of my cyber underwriting colleagues in Manchester to discuss how we can collaborate across business lines to better meet the needs of our automotive customers and identify where we can offer increasingly comprehensive solutions.

Tuesday

I wake up excited for the day ahead. The motor trade team have gathered from across the UK in our new Leeds office today.

It’s always a pleasure to catch up with the team. We had a busy morning of exciting meetings where we reflected on the highs and lows of 2025 so far and focused on priorities for the rest of 2025 into 2026.  

For example, one particular high for the UK team this year was winning the British Insurance Award for Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year. 

We spent the afternoon exploring Leeds city centre by taking part in a treasure hunt. After that, we enjoyed a well-earned dinner together. 

As our team members are based throughout our regional offices, it is so important for us to spend some quality time together having fun. It really helps to strengthen our team bond.

Wednesday

Wednesdays are one of my regular office days and a great chance to network and collaborate with the wider underwriting teams. I spend the morning catching up with colleagues, including a meeting with the Leeds account manager to discuss our brokers, their performance and any opportunities or threats ahead.

After lunch, I head to a broker and customer presentation for the afternoon. Meeting our customers alongside our broking partners is one of my favourite parts of the job and really cements the tripartite relationships we work so hard to build.

After a busy day at work, I need to unwind. One of my favourite ways to do that is to head to the gym to get the endorphins flowing by joining my regular body pump class. 

I meet my friend there, so we have a quick catch up whilst setting up our stations. Then back home to see my family before tea, bath and bedtime.

Thursday

It is another early start this morning as I head to the train station to travel to our London office for the motor team’s quarterly offsite meeting. The train journey passes quickly as I catch up on some emails whilst listening to my favourite podcast, Luanna.

Arriving in the big smoke always feels exciting to me no matter how many times I do it.

Once in the office I grab a coffee before heading to the meeting room. It’s always great to see my motor colleagues from across the UK and these meetings are an invaluable chance to hear what is happening in each of the regions we operate in. 

We always try to make the most of these days by squeezing in a lot of talking points and today is no exception.

Before I know it, it’s time to head back on the train to my home city of Bradford.

Friday

I am extremely fortunate that QBE offers flexible working, which means Friday is my non-working day. 

I take the kids to school and go for a long walk along the canal, my favourite way to switch off and clear my mind after a busy week. 

When back home, I catch up on some housework and my guilty pleasure, reality TV, before the wonderful mayhem of the family weekend begins.