Get to Know Your Council

Name: Alycia Thomson

Occupation/Industry Experience:

I started my career at Hugh J Boswell Insurance Brokers as an apprentice in 2010. I decided I wanted to start a career which would allow be to gain work experience, as well as a qualification. My apprenticeship was the perfect path for me, as it allowed me to obtain my Certificate in insurance and by then I was hooked, and I continued studying until I achieved my ACII in 2016.

I am now proud to say I am a Chartered Insurance Broker. The learning curve was steep, but I was surrounded by experienced and knowledgeable colleagues who helped my development. My role evolved over time from being an Apprentice, to Corporate Account Handler, working my way to become a Senior Account Handler.

In 2016, I joined PIB Insurance Brokers as their Client Service Manager. I work in the Property and Construction division, overseeing the Account Handler function for the Norwich and London offices.

How long have you been on the Insurance Institute of Norwich’s Council?

I joined the IIN council in 2015, so this will be my 5th year on council. Since 2016, I have been volunteering as the council’s Treasurer and not long after that I joined the IIN New Professionals Group.

What is your role, and what does it involve?

My role as Treasurer is to ensure the financial integrity of the local institute, providing regular financial reports to council and reporting any budgetary concerns to the president. Among a few things I process payments, prepare the annual budget, reconcile the bank account periodically and arrange for the accounts to be audited.

However, I will be stepping down from this role in April 2020, as I will be moving into the President’s role. I originally put my name down on our President succession plan in 2017 and I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone. I’m excited to start this new challenge and am grateful that I’ve been able to gain some valuable experience from working with the council over the past 4 years.

The President is ultimately responsible for all the activities, educational, social and charitable and is the head of the team of elected local institute officers and council members. The council would be nothing if it wasn’t for the hard work of our council members and I’m honoured to be working with such a great team of volunteers.

Why did you decide to join the Council?

I decided to join the council at a point in my career where I wanted to meet people in the industry and broaden my networking opportunities as well

Since joining council, I have made some great friends and have been involved in a wide variety of projects, which have helped me gain experience and develop my professional skills.

What are you most looking forward in the forthcoming year on the Council?

During my Presidential year my focus will be on Engagement. This will include:

Deliver an engaging quality event programme of CPD events for both our CII and PFS members
Raise the profile of the Insurance Institute of Norwich amongst its new and younger members via the New Professionals Group
Grow and encourage networking and sharing of best practices with non-members and members alike.
Creating and growing an effective social media presence

Tell us one unusual fact about yourself

I am usually recognisable by my very curly hair. But what people don’t know is that I wear a wig! ... just kidding!

I’m addicted to peanut butter. In order to offset the amount of peanut butter I eat; I like to run A LOT. I’ll be competing in my first marathon in October this year.

Get to Know Your Council - June Release