Diary of an Insurance PR: SEC Newgate’s Vanessa Chance

Monday

My day starts around 6am when my daughter wakes up. I feed her and our labrador while scrolling through emails to check for anything urgent. After a quick shower, we walk to nursery as a family, so we all get some exercise.

My working day begins with a weekly commercial meeting with our senior team, running through upcoming pitches. 

Next is a news planning meeting led by my ex-journalist colleagues, reviewing current headlines and spotting opportunities for clients.

I then join a media interview with my loss adjusting client’s high-net-worth expert. It’s fascinating hearing how the other half live and the challenges this brings insurers. Can you imagine dealing with a helicopter crash that destroys a Picasso hanging on your superyacht? 

Afterwards, I check in with the journalist to make sure they have everything and to gauge the publication timing, then update the client.

In the afternoon, I confirm guests and the speaker for an event I’m running on Wednesday morning.

I log off around 5.15pm for nursery pick-up, then cook dinner while singing and dancing with my daughter – a little Glastonbury headliner in the making. After her bath and bedtime, I log back on to tackle any urgent emails and plan the next day before an early night.

Tuesday

I like to work from the office on Tuesdays. Today’s our monthly all-staff meeting, and there’s a buzz in the air. The company has grown massively in the 10 years since I’ve joined, with offices across the UK and globally. 

Some London colleagues have moved to regional offices, so it’s great to catch up in person. I also check with front-of-house to ensure tomorrow’s event prep is on track.

Can you imagine dealing with a helicopter crash that destroys a Picasso hanging on your superyacht?

I’m hosting a branding workshop for Insurance United Against Dementia, where I serve on the board. Having lost my mum to dementia, I’m passionate about this cause. 

We recently hit our milestone of raising £10m for Alzheimer’s Society and are now defining the next phase. The workshop focuses on identifying the key messages that will galvanise support.

Later, at the staff meeting, we hear about recent client wins and new initiatives. One project stands out: the special situations team using artificial intelligence to simulate crisis scenarios to help clients train and prepare. We end with drinks in the staff bar before heading home.

Wednesday

It’s an early start today for the event. A bleary-eyed friend arrives at 6.30am to take my daughter to nursery. I’m incredibly grateful and make a note to buy her flowers at the weekend.

Despite the usual nerves – will people come? will they enjoy it? – the event runs without a hitch. We have a great mix of clients, colleagues and journalists, and the conversation flows. Our speaker, minimalism expert Chris Lovett, is an old colleague from my days working at an insurer and it’s nice to catch up after the session.

In the afternoon, I talk to a London Market broker client. Though young, they’re growing fast with a digital-first, “different by design” approach. 

They’re doing exciting and innovative things within the market, pushing boundaries in how they operate. It’s always great to hear what they’re doing next.

Later, I meet an ex-client and industry stalwart for drinks in the City. It’s wonderful catching up.

Thursday

This morning, I meet a contact who was a reporter at Insurance Post and has since moved into communications. We reminisce about late nights at the British Insurance Awards and laugh about how life has changed.

As the sun sets and the wine flows, I’m reminded how lucky I am to do work I care about, in an industry I genuinely enjoy

This afternoon, I have a call with my legal client; they are unlike any law firm I’ve worked with, with a real focus on people and culture. They recently saved a motor insurance client £1m by exposing a fraudulent injury claim. I love hearing how these cases are cracked. We plan to pitch the story once the press release is approved.

After picking up my daughter, we have another evening of Glastonbury practice before dinner, bath and bed. 

As I settle down with Netflix and my labrador, a client calls about a tricky journalist enquiry. We agree a plan and schedule an early call for tomorrow. I keep an eye on emails that evening to see how things progress.

Friday

I’m working from home and it’s a gorgeous day. I throw open the garden doors and, for five glorious minutes, it almost feels like I’m on holiday.

I catch up with my client on the enquiry. There is more to the story and we decide an off-the-record briefing is best. It’s a risk, but I trust the journalist from years of working together. 

Relationships are everything; I wouldn’t recommend this approach with just anyone. I brief the client carefully and set the meeting up. I keep an eye out for the story throughout the day but thankfully, the journalist stays true to their word.

In the afternoon, friends arrive from New Zealand for the weekend. After picking them up, we sit in the garden with tea and cake, soaking up the rare sunshine. Then it’s time to collect my daughter. They all entertain each other while I make dinner, and we end the day with a glass of wine, easing into the weekend.

As the sun sets and the wine flows, I’m reminded how lucky I am to do work I care about, in an industry I genuinely enjoy – even if it occasionally interrupts Netflix.