IFSDG: How long have you worked at
Hiscox?
Hannah Hosking: I have been at Hiscox for
just over a year, prior to that I was the Regional Manager for
Scotland and North East for AXA, also based in Glasgow.
IFSDG: How many people work at
Hiscox?
Hannah Hosking: In the Glasgow office the
team is 15 strong and there are many more Hiscox offices around the
UK and the world.
IFSDG: What is your vision for Hiscox in
Glasgow?
Hannah Hosking: Our team vision is to be
recognised as the number one brand of specialist insurance in
Scotland and Ireland.
IFSDG: What's a typical day for
you?
Hannah Hosking: There's no such thing
really, my job is fantastic in its variety. Normally I'm up
early for a flight or a train somewhere, usually to see customers,
clutching an umbrella and a map.
IFSDG: How many emails do you receive on an
average day?
Hannah Hosking: Usually over 50 and under
100 - thank goodness for my Blackberry!
IFSDG: Why did Hiscox choose to locate in
the IFSD in Glasgow?
Hannah Hosking: The Glasgow market is an
important part of the UK branch network and our position gives us
easy access to customers and our customers easy access to us.
IFSDG: Three good things about working in
Glasgow?
Hannah Hosking: Glasgow is a great place
to work mainly because of how friendly the people are here. I love
our office on St. Vincent Street in particular because we are
surrounded by excellent restaurants. Shopping is fantastic and I
have had a passion for Frasers since my first visit to Glasgow in
2002.
IFSDG: What is your biggest business
achievement to date?
Hannah Hosking: I've been really lucky in
my career to have had some excellent opportunities and worked with
very talented people. If I had to pick one achievement it would be
working with the Infosys team in Bangalore, India. When we
arrived they had put a welcome sign up saying Infosys welcomes… The
names of our team were listed alongside Bill Gates, their other
visitor. I was working for Aon at the time and the wow factor of
the whole experience was amazing. The skills I learnt working in
India have stayed with me as lessons and benefited me throughout my
career.
IFSDG: What is the best investment you ever
made?
Hannah Hosking: Sat Nav - how did we
manage without it?
IFSDG: Which business person or company do
you most admire and why?
Hannah Hosking: The person I most admire
is our CE Bronek Masojada. Bronek joined Hiscox at the age of 31 as
Managing Director and became Chief Executive in 2000. During this
time the revenue has grown from £350 million to £1.5 billion. He is
inspirational in person both for his intelligence and also because
he still seems to know the name of every employee he meets.
IFSDG: What did you want to be when you were
a child?
Hannah Hosking: I watched a lot of 80s
films and fancied myself as a business lady. I'm lucky to be
someone who does what they dreamed of - just without shoulder
pads.
IFSDG: What do you do to relax away from the
office?
Hannah Hosking: My favourite time of the
week is Saturday morning at the beach with my husband and our
dogs.
IFSDG: Blackberry or I-Phone?
Hannah Hosking: Both!
IFSDG: Suit or no suit?
Hannah Hosking: Suit
IFSDG: Heels or pumps?
Hannah Hosking: Heels
IFSDG: Wine or cocktails?
Hannah Hosking: Wine
IFSDG: Sunshine or snow?
Hannah Hosking: Sunshine
IFSDG: and finally, what three words to
sum you up
Hannah Hosking: Driven, Passionate,
Professional