pursue either teaching or actuarial careers. I always saw myself as a problem solver, working in business (the exact type of business not a concern). I applied for a reinsurance claims analyst role at E.W. Blanch Co. and my resume was forwarded to the reinsurance accounting manager, who hired me. Needless to say, it was a great fit for my skills and interests, as I have remained in the reinsurance broking industry nearly 30 years. To this day, I still recommend the reinsurance business to math students. It is the perfect combination: fast-paced problem-solving in an always changing industry.
Name: Kristine Westall
Company: BMS Intermediaries Job:
Chief operations officer
Timeline: 2013—Chief operations officer, BMS Intermediaries 2011—EVP, reinsurance operations officer, BMS Intermediaries 2009—Reinsurance consultant, various companies 2008—SVP, brokerage operations, Collins 2006—SVP, reinsurance accounting and claims, Collins 1985—SVP, client technical services, Aon Benfield
Kristine Westall joined BMS Intermediaries in January 2011 and serves as chief operations officer, responsible for the execution and development of US strategy. She is member of BMS’s US executive committee as well as the boards of BMS Intermediaries and BMS Capital Advisory. Westall has more than 25 years of experience and, prior
to joining BMS, was head of operations at Collins where she managed IT, reinsurance accounting/claims, contracts, audit/compliance and office services. She began her career in reinsurance at E.W. Blanch and held various leadership positions within the subsequent Benfield organisation. Her background includes strategic change management, improving operational efficiencies, business intelligence, technology development, employee and client training and new business production. Westall holds a Bachelors of Mathematics degree from the University of Minnesota. She is a committee member for both the Insurance Accounting and Systems Association (IASA) and Reinsurance Association of America (RAA).
Why did you choose to work in the insurance industry initially? My degree was in Mathematics. Along the way I decided not to
www.intelligentinsurer.com
What has been the highlight of your career so far? My career highlight so far has been the experience of building the BMS platform in the US. My remit in January 2011 was to create the foundation upon which the US business practice would grow. “If you build it, they will come.” I was able to put many years of experience into action: designing a business practice which aligns our success with our clients’; creating an agile model unencumbered by politics to respond to the always changing reinsurance industry; implementing improved technology and tools; capitalising on our unique position as a Lloyd’s broker to improve performance; and hiring a top notch team. It has also been a great vindication to see BMS recognised as
one of the best places to work in re/insurance for three years running.
What has been the biggest challenge you have
encountered? As an operations woman in a broking business, my biggest challenge is advocating for myself. I chose a non-sales career path in reinsurance because I am passionate about making a difference for all clients, not just a few. Like most women in a leadership role, I read the statistics and advice and do my best to “lean in”, but I prefer to spend energy focusing on productivity, efficiency and results versus positioning politically for respect, authority and equal compensation. When I do take an introspective look at my career (usually at annual performance evaluation time) I question whether I should be more proactive in promoting my value. A lot of women probably do the same.
If you had chosen a different profession/career path, what would it have been? That’s a really tough question. From when I was very young, I pictured myself in business management—doing “bills” and giving “orders” to people. I saw myself in a big desk with the nameplate “Miss Kristine” and I was “in charge”. As mentioned, I’ve always loved problem solving. Talent withstanding, I’m a big music fan and I always thought it
would have been a blast to be a backup dancer for a big performer (think Michael Jackson music video).
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