Meet the Apprentices

Laura Eccles

Job title: Technical claims handler

Company: Ecclesiastical

If we asked your colleagues to describe you in a Tweet (140 characters) what would they type?

They would say that I am always focused and have a strong work ethic, and I support my colleagues. Also that I should get the coffees in more!

What is your food heaven and food hell?

Heaven – Sushi

Hell - Olives

What is your favourite pastime?

Running in the Quantocks

If you had a coat of arms, what would be on it?

The motto ‘Aut viam inveniam aut faciam’ [I will either find a way, or make one]. The shield would have an oak, symbolising endurance and strength. On either side would be a swan and a wolf. A swan as they appear serene and calm but are hard at work under the surface and a wolf as they trust their instincts and are determined

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Emma Stone

Which four people [living or dead] would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Serena Williams, Ludovico Einaudi, Pablo Escobar, Audrey Hepburn

What song would you like to soundtrack your victory at Claims Apprentice 2019 should you win?

‘Girl on Fire’ - Alicia Keys

Alex Riley

Job title: Global energy claims adjuster

Company: Zurich Insurance

If we asked your colleagues to describe you in a Tweet (140 characters) what would they type?   

The millennial who’s ‘good with IT. A self-starter who finds innovative solutions to problems, brings people together, doesn’t let barriers get in his way, and who knows how to have a laugh along the way

What is your food heaven and food hell?

Heaven - Spag Bol (up a mountain)

Hell - Trifle

What is your favourite pastime? 

When I’m not reading the Insurance Post I like to go running – Clapham Common Park Run more specifically

If you had a coat of arms, what would be on it?

We have a family dog called Bertie who I am slightly obsessed with.  Bertie is a Rough Collie, so I think I’d have a Rough Collie on my coat of arms

Who would play you in the film of your life? 

My friends would say Peter Andre… I would say Dominic Cooper

Which four people [living or dead] would you invite to your dream dinner party? 

Yannis Philippakis, Reggie Kray, Elon Musk, Angela Merkel

What song would you like to soundtrack your victory at Claims Apprentice 2019 should you win? 

Coldplay – Paradise

Simerjit Kaur

Job title:  Senior claims handler- major loss team

Company:  Allianz Insurance

If we asked your colleagues to describe you in a Tweet (140 characters) what would they type?

Considerate, analytical and focused with a keen eye for detail. Able to find sensible solutions whilst encouraging honest and open communication.

What is your food heaven and food hell?

Heaven – Seafood Paella

Hell - Eggs

What is your favourite pastime?

Reading and keeping fit

If you had a coat of arms, what would be on it?

Ring with a magpie in it

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Monica Geller/Courtney Cox

Which four people [living or dead] would you invite to your dream dinner party?

David Attenborough, Jimmy Carr, Ellen DeGeneres and Richard Branson

What song would you like to soundtrack your victory at Claims Apprentice 2019 should you win?

Imagine Dragons - On Top of the World

Tosin Omosebi

Job title: Claims adjuster

Company: QBE Insurance

If we asked your colleagues to describe you in a Tweet (140 characters) what would they type?

Tosin is an optimistic and driven person, who always tries to find the bright side of situations. She is also a little obsessed with her pet cats

What is your food heaven and food hell?

Heaven – Potatoes. Mashed, baked, roasted, cut in to chips. I’ll take them however they come

Hell – Portobello mushroom burger

What is your favourite pastime?

I play city building games. They’re too stressful to count as relaxing but I love the challenge of building something complex from the ground up

If you had a coat of arms, what would be on it?

A sun, because I like to give out bright and positive energy. And a butterfly to symbolise transformation and growth

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Letitia Wright. She seems fun and friendly, but with plenty of strength and passion when she needs it

Which four people [living or dead] would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Rihanna, RuPaul, Wally Lamb, and Shu Takumi. The first two have amazing personal stories, and the other two are brilliant story tellers

What song would you like to soundtrack your victory at Claims Apprentice 2019 should you win?

Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now – McFadden & Whitehead

Dominic Sawkiw

Job title: Motor claims team leader

Company: RSA

If we asked your colleagues to describe you in a Tweet (140 characters) what would they type?

An optimistic team player with clear focus and an ability to make any stressful situation manageable

What is your food heaven and food hell?

Heaven – Cheesy chips with garlic mayo

Hell – Olives

What is your favourite pastime?

I like to play five-a-side football and go to the gym but I must admit I am a Play Station nerd

If you had a coat of arms, what would be on it?

A wolf, and my motto would be ‘Be the Wolf’ to promote leadership and teamwork along with recognising a close knit family/friend bond

Who would play you in the film of your life?

Ryan Reynolds

Which four people [living or dead] would you invite to your dream dinner party?

My mum, Jimmy Carr, Gordon Ramsey and Winston Churchill

What song would you like to soundtrack your victory at Claims Apprentice 2019 should you win?

Heroes (we could be) by Alesso feat Tove Lo

Verity Ross

Job title: Motor expert claims handler

Company: Zurich Insurance

If we asked your colleagues to describe you in a Tweet (140 characters) what would they type?

This question made me think so I asked a few of my colleagues this week and most came back with the same sort of themes. They said that: “Verity knows what she’s about and goes for it” and “Enthusiastic, ambitious, adaptable, open minded, underpinned by a strong social conscience.”

What is your food heaven and food hell?

Heaven – Garlic Mushrooms. Best starter at Xmas

Hell – Brussel sprouts. Left off the plate at Xmas

What is your favourite pastime?

I started horse riding for other people (helping to break small ponies when I was 11). That developed into a serious hobby and now I share ‘Skippy’ with a friend. Whilst I have lots of pastimes, spending time with Skippy is way up there

If you had a coat of arms, what would be on it?

With a Scottish Clan name like Ross I have an easy starting place with a motto and I think this would be on my coat of arms: “Spem Successus Alit”. It means Success nourishes hope.  Try something, go for it, be the best you can be. Don’t just expect/hope things will happen, put effort into whatever you’re involved in.

It’s effort that drives the success and that in turn results in your hopes coming to fruition. That is why I’d also include a horse, strong and agile being supported in getting over the hurdle by a courageous person who is a fraction of the size of the horse but has faith and trust in her partner.  Both are focused on getting over the hurdle. And both get a buzz out of the achievement. 

Next I would include a Feather for two reasons. Firstly, as a reference to the final scene from the movie Forrest Gump. Illustrating that life moves in unpredictable ways, Forrest’s life is blown by the wind and his strength is to accept where he is and just like our family “motto” go with the flow as “success nourishes hope”. He simply makes the best of what comes his way. That’s what’s required to achieve great things.

Secondly, the Feather is light, nimble. Strong and just like the rider on the horse is needed to soar to great heights. 

Who would play you in the film of your life?  

It would have to be Eleanor Thomlinson. (Damellsa in Poldark)

Which four people [living or dead] would you invite to your dream dinner party?

For a young person the first person will seem dull. But I don’t think she would be.

The Queen – The things she’s experienced and the people she has met would be amazing to hear about, but she is apparently modest in company until she has something in common with you. We share a common interest in two things “horses and shiny stuff” I think we would get along just wonderfully.

Then every Queen needs a body guard. So Richard Madden – the bodyguard in the BBC series of the same name, just so I could look at him.

Matt Baker – Easy going, chatty, relaxed, caring. He also had many experiences in Blue Peter, Country File and now The One Show. He too has met many interesting people. I wonder what he really thought of them? The Queen would love him and the gossip they could share.

And finally, my papa – I miss him.  We lost him last year to Alzheimer’s, he had been ill for many years. Before he was ill we were always separated because we caused too much trouble together. He loved a dram and made everyone laugh. He also always made Xmas dinner too so could double as a free cook.

What song would you like to soundtrack your victory at Claims Apprentice 2019 should you win?

Best Day of My Life by American Authors