In this episode, Jeremy and Catrin explore why gender diversity in pricing is more than a pipeline issue and what leaders can do to actively support inclusion. Drawing on insights from a powerful book, they discuss practical steps leaders can take, including a 12-point “cheat sheet” of actions to put into practice straight away. From the way coding skills are described on CVs to the subtle biases that shape retention, rewards, and progression, they highlight how inequality often shows up in small ways that add up to big challenges. Expect a candid, practical conversation on how to build stronger, fairer teams and why the benefits of diversity go far beyond fairness alone.  Price Writers transforms pricing professionals into the most respected leaders in insurance. 

Find out more at http://www.pricewriters.com  

#priceWriters #InsurancePricing #CareerGrowth #Podcast #PriceWritersPodcast

Win Win on the Price Writers Podcast Episode 33

Fresh from Philadelphia, where Jeremy accepted his Indie Book Award win for The Price Writer, he and Catrin sat down to unpack the standout titles from the awards ceremony, including a few that might just change the way you lead, think, and work.  In this episode, they explore three books that caught their attention and offer surprising relevance to pricing professionals:  The Productive Perfectionist: Catrin reflects on the tension between perfection and performance, and why this book resonated with her as a leader.  How We Choose to Show Up: Jeremy dives into energy management, presence, and how the choices we make affect our impact at work.  It’s Not (All) Your Fault: A thought-provoking systems-thinking lens on self-help, this book challenges some of the most ingrained narratives about personal responsibility.  Expect candid takes, practical reflections, and a few disagreements on which titles truly earned their awards.  Price Writers transforms pricing professionals into the most respected leaders in insurance. Find out more at http://www.pricewriters.com  #priceWriters #InsurancePricing #CareerGrowth #Podcast #PriceWritersPodcast

Philadelphia Indie Book Awards on the Price Writers Podcast Episode 32

This week, Jeremy and Catrin share their top book picks for aspiring pricing professionals, or anyone who loves a great science or stats read. Catrin recommends three accessible books to spark curiosity (Storm in a Teacup), sharpen data communication (How to Lie with Statistics), and master problem-solving (Thinking Mathematically). Along the way, they debate dust jackets, spilt coffee science, and why hobbies reveal hiring potential. Jeremy also gives a shoutout to Catrin’s book as a must-read. Plus, a teaser for the next episode’s Indie Book Award highlights! Listen now for insights (and a few laughs).  

Price Writers transforms pricing professionals into the most respected leaders in insurance. 

Find out more at www.PriceWriters.com 

Inspiration by Numbers on the Price Writers Podcast Episode 31

In this episode of The Price Writers Podcast, Jeremy and Catrin explore Why Insurance Markets Fail and What to Do About It by economists Liran Einav, Amy Finkelstein, and Ray Fisman.  They tackle the tricky concept of anti-selection, sharing why it confuses even seasoned insurance professionals. With examples ranging from U.S. medical insurance to American Airlines’ baffling ticket offers, they make a complex topic surprisingly clear and even entertaining.  Add the book to your summer reading list (or just let us summarise it for you). #InsurancePricing [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/insurancepricing] #Risk [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/risk] #AntiSelection [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/antiselection] #ThePriceWritersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thepricewriterspodcast] #BookClubForPricingNerds [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bookclubforpricingnerds]

Why Insurance Markets Fail  on the Price Writers Podcast Episode 29

In this episode, Jeremy and Catrin explore Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed, reflecting on how its themes of cognitive diversity and constructive challenge apply directly to pricing teams. They unpack the idea that diversity of thought rather than background alone can drive innovation, and they share personal stories of when uniform thinking held back progress.

From project team dynamics to the impact of power structures, they explore why pricing professionals often reach similar solutions, and how broadening input from across disciplines and industries can lead to better outcomes. Catrin draws parallels between literature and analytics, while Jeremy questions whether a lack of differing perspectives has led to stagnation in pricing innovation.

This is an honest and practical conversation about creating space for alternative views, learning from others outside the pricing bubble, and presenting ideas more effectively to diverse audiences.

PriceWriters is a training and education company focused on insurance pricing. Find out more about our engaging training, graduate schemes and workshops, by visiting:
👉 www.pricewriters.com [http://www.pricewriters.com/]

#InsurancePricing [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23insurancepricing&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #GeneralInsurance [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23generalinsurance&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #PandCInsurance [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23pandcinsurance&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #PriceWriter [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23pricewriter&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED]

Rebel Ideas on the Price Writer Podcast Episode 28

Join Jeremy Keating and Catrin Townsend as they relaunch the Price Writer Podcast with a fresh new focus on books and their relevance to insurance pricing teams.  In this episode, we explore The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni and examine how the model applies to technical and data-driven teams in insurance. From the challenge of building trust in large departments to the value of constructive conflict, we discuss practical, real-world insights on managing teams, holding each other accountable, and avoiding the low standards that arise from unresolved tensions.  Whether you're leading a pricing function or collaborating across teams, this episode unpacks how a popular business book can offer genuinely useful takeaways, even in the highly regulated world of general insurance.  Expect honest reflections, practical examples, and the occasional Monty Python anecdote.  PriceWriters is a training and education company focused on insurance pricing. Find out more about our engaging training, graduate schemes and workshops, by visiting 👉 www.pricewriters.com  #InsurancePricing #GeneralInsurance #PandCInsurance #PriceWriter

Five Dysfunctions of a Team on the Price Writer Podcast Episode 27

In this episode, we’re joined by Max Wicks, a pricing professional whose journey from professional boxing to general insurance is anything but typical. Max talks about falling into pricing via a graduate scheme, how his motor trade background gave him a head start, and building a career without following the traditional actuarial exam route.

We discuss his move from GLMs to GBMs, and how data science is transforming pricing teams. Max shares practical tips on building models more efficiently, navigating legacy systems, and improving transparency in modern methods. He also highlights the value of curiosity, subject matter expertise, and what insurance can learn from tech.

Perfect for anyone in pricing or data science looking to modernise their approach, question legacy thinking, and rethink career paths.

Max Wicks on the Price Writer Podcast Episode 26

Books mentioned:



Best Book of the Quarter

Aspiring Actuarial Leaders – The Modern Manager’s Toolkit - Julia Lessing



Insurance Books

Why Insurance Markets Fail and What to Do About It - Liran Einav, Ray Fisman, Amy Finkelstein

The Art of Uncertainty - David Spiegelhalter

Non-fiction Books

KIND - Graham Allcott

Dare to Lead - Brené Brown

The Authority Gap - Mary Ann Sieghart

Zig Ziglar's Secrets of Closing the Sale - Zig Ziglar

The Imposter Cure - Dr Jessamy Hibberd

$100M Offers - Alex Hormozi

Politics on the Edge - Rory Stewart

Apocalypse Never - Michael Shellenberger

Traction - Gabriel Weinberg, Justin Mares

Let It Go: My Extraordinary Story - From Refugee to Entrepreneur to Philanthropist - Stephanie Shirley

Dear Female Founder - Lu Li

Be Useful - Arnold Schwarzenegger (twice)



Fiction Book

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen



Kids Book

Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson - Katherine Johnson



Inspiring Pricing

Our next event is Inspiring Pricing at Insurance Hall, London on 20th May 2025

Why attend?

🔹Discover how Inclusion, Integrity, and Innovation can Inspire Pricing Success

🔹Connect with leading pricing professionals and industry experts

🔹Take away practical tools to make real progress toward your goals

This isn’t just a conference. It’s about making real progress.

🎟 Price Writer members: £199

🎟 Non-members: £399

🔹 Only 50 tickets available!

Book now: https://inspire.pricewriters.com/

A big thank you to our sponsors Ascentia Partners | MavenBlue | Consumer Intelligence

I’d love to see you there

Books of 2025Q1 on the Price Writer Podcast Episode 25

This month on the Price Writer podcast I spoke to Julia Lessing actuary, executive coach, and author of "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager’s Toolkit.”

Julia is the founder of Guardian Actuarial and she shares her journey from actuary to leadership mentor, discussing the critical transition from technical expert to effective manager and leader.

Highlights

 * Julia's motivation behind writing her book and how it's designed to help actuaries develop crucial managerial skills
 * Personal experiences of challenging transitions into management roles, highlighting the importance of targeted leadership training
 * Practical tips on communication, understanding audience needs, and navigating uncertainty effectively
 * Julia’s unique career pivots and insights from roles like breastfeeding counselor and Lifeline crisis counselor, demonstrating the unexpected links between actuarial thinking and effective communication
 * Her vision for empowering actuaries through lifelong learning and leadership skills, enhancing their ability to impact organizations and communities positively

This discussion is packed with valuable insights to help you develop your career and enhance your professional growth

Julia Lessing on the Price Writer Podcast Episode 24

In this insightful episode, Simon joins Jeremy to explore his 30-year journey from consulting to building Calibrant, a leading MGA consultancy, and developing Sybil, an innovative portfolio management platform. Simon shares his passion for portfolio management, emphasising its critical role in ensuring long-term profitability in insurance.  Key topics include:

 * The Value of Portfolio Management: Why nurturing existing portfolios is essential for sustained success.
 * Breaking Down Silos: How collaboration across pricing, reserving, and underwriting can unlock untapped potential.
 * Overcoming Challenges: Tackling messy processes and the limitations of spreadsheets with innovative solutions like Sybil.
 * A Bayesian Approach: Using continuous data updates and control cycles to refine models and drive better decisions.

This episode highlights practical methods for turning insights into actionable, profitable outcomes. Learn how Simon and his team are defining the future of portfolio management!

Simon Pollack on the Price Writer Podcast Episode 22

Welcome to the Price Writer Podcast, presented by Price Writer, a leader in insurance pricing and training. 

Join us as we explore the world of insurance literature, offering insights, analyses, and discussions on pivotal books that shape our industry. Whether you're an insurance professional or simply curious about the field, our episodes provide valuable perspectives to enhance your knowledge.

Hosted by Jeremy Keating, the Price Writer Podcast is brought to you by Price Writer, a learning and development company supporting over 190 members from 70+ insurance providers. Our work helps pricing professionals grow their careers through expert insights, practical training, and a strong industry network.

Find out more at pricewriters.com [https://pricewriters.com/]

Jeremy Keating

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