Laura Shaw, Head of Digital Trading at Hiscox UK: Lessons From 12 Careers in One Company
My Duvet Flip by Jack Parsons
Jack Parsons
4.2 • 5 Ratings
🗓️ 18 August 2025
⏱️ 25 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Episode Guest:
Laura Shaw is Head of Digital Trading at Hiscox UK, where she leads the integration of technology and broker relationships to drive growth. With over 25 years at Hiscox, she has held 12 different roles, championing change and the development of future talent.
Episode Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:09 Why Laura said yes to My Duvet Flip
1:12 First job lessons — from WH Smith to the post office
2:20 Why applying for more than one job matters
3:40 Discovering insurance after university
4:57 Surprises about the insurance industry
5:04 26 years, 12 jobs — Laura’s Hiscox journey
6:01 Moving from trainee underwriter to new opportunities
7:02 Taking risks and battling imposter syndrome
7:56 Learning new skills in different locations
8:46 Why meeting people in person matters
9:39 Dealing with things going wrong — honesty first
10:20 Finding confidence and being authentic at work
11:32 Why people are at the heart of Hiscox
12:14 When colleagues leave — keeping relationships alive
12:57 Laura’s current role — digital trading explained
13:56 Bringing AI into insurance
15:18 The skills needed to use AI effectively
17:10 Top three skills Laura looks for in her team
18:08 Secrets to a successful insurance career
19:04 Why young people should join insurance
20:16 Laura’s advice for your first day at Hiscox
20:52 The two reasons she’s stayed 26 years
21:58 One word to sum up her career: change
22:45 How to embrace change as a journey
23:14 Laura’s duvet flip — the future of insurance
Episode Partner:
Hiscox, a leading international insurer with more than 3,000 employees worldwide. The company is known for specialist insurance solutions and a strong commitment to customer service.
Disclaimer:
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hi, I'm Laura Shaw, head of digital trading for Hisccox UK. |
| 0:03.0 | Part of the Hiscop's group, we employ over 3,000 people globally, and this is my do-day flip. So you've been at Hissucks for 26 years and had 12 different jobs. First job was a trainee underwriter, and then I started to put my hand up for opportunities. The business doesn't stand still, and that motivates me to not stand still. |
| 0:21.6 | That's hard to find, isn't it, in a lot of organisations and you've found it? |
| 0:24.6 | And find the one with the people that fit you best. |
| 0:26.6 | Do you love change? |
| 0:27.6 | Change is a journey. |
| 0:28.6 | Worry less about the end of the change and think more about each step of the change. |
| 0:34.6 | What's your dozee flip? What gives you out of bed in the morning to flip the duvet every day? Hi, I'm Laura Shaw, head of digital trading for Hiscop's UK. So I'm really |
| 0:48.2 | looking forward to it. I've never done a podcast before. I'm excited about meeting Jack and having the |
| 0:53.1 | opportunity to talk about how we bring |
| 0:55.5 | great talent into the insurance industry. It's okay to stay at a company a long time as |
| 1:00.7 | as long as you keep your career moving. I've not met Jack before but I've watched a number of your |
| 1:04.8 | podcasts. Hi Jack. I'm ready to start. So welcome to my dovee flip. How are we? |
| 1:12.5 | Thank you, Jack. I'm really good. |
| 1:14.3 | So this conversation is going to be a roller coaster because I want to go from where you first started |
| 1:19.9 | to what you do now and how you've immersed yourself in the industry of insurance for 26 years. So I want to start here. First |
| 1:31.2 | paying job. What did that teach you about life? First job like many people in a shop. Very first |
| 1:39.4 | job, W.H. Smith, Saturday Girl, lasted one day. Didn't really like it. Second job, local post office |
| 1:48.9 | or corner shop, loved it. Difference was the people. And that's what it taught me about myself. |
| 1:54.8 | If I enjoy what I'm doing and who I'm working with, I'll make the effort to go and I'll work hard. |
| 2:00.9 | I love that. I want to talk a little bit about lasting one day. |
| 2:05.9 | Because a lot of people will see that as you didn't stick it out. |
... |
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