Meet the e-Trade Team!

With the launch of our new e-Trade Commercial Combined product successfully in the books, the team would like to say hello. See the real people behind the screens as they share their stories with you.

Katie Searles - Trading Underwriter

I started my career in insurance in 2008. At the time I was working at Dover Castle as a tour guide but needed something more permanent and full time.

I started off at Xchanging Insure, doing data processing for Lloyd's of London and London Market policies.

I worked for two different brokers before starting work as an underwriter with, what was then, Sterling Insurance in 2014. I joined the small business team in 2016 and have recently started working on commercial combined cases.

Outside of work I enjoy gardening, growing flowers and vegetables and I have recently become a volunteer for the Kent Wildlife Trust. I also enjoy art and creating drawings and painting using acrylics.

Q. If you were a small business owner, what type of business would you own?

I think I would run a pottery painting shop, where people could come and decorate different ceramics whilst socialising.

Q. What are you most excited by on e-Trade Commercial Combined?

I am excited about the flexibility that we are able to offer the clients, with 15 optional sections of cover.

Rob Hales - Trading Underwriter

My first job after education was in Investment Management in London, which I really enjoyed. However, this was in 2008 during the global crash and so I decided to get in to something a little safer in terms of job security! I came in to the insurance world in 2010 as a personal lines broker. After some senior sales roles within broking, I decided I wanted a new challenge and wanted to get involved in commercial underwriting.

Outside of work I enjoy playing golf (badly) and I have a season ticket at West Ham, which can also be painful to watch.

Q. If you were a small business owner, what type of business would you own?

I would love to own a a sports equipment wholesaler so I could try out all the high end gear used by the experts!

Q. What are you most excited by on e-Trade Commercial Combined?

Probably looking at some of the weird and wonderful businesses that people run and seeing how we can accommodate writing them.

Samantha Collins - Trading Underwriter

My first job out of college was for my family’s Plumbing & Heating Company, as a receptionist and admin assistant. I spent 5 years in this role in which I gained my superb customer service skills, however I decided I needed more of a career as opposed to just a job. This led me to my first role in insurance at Allianz as a new business underwriter in their small business team. I worked there for two years before joining Covéa Insurance as a Trading Underwriter for the Commercial Combined product.

Q. If you were a small business owner, what type of business would you own?

I would own either a high-end beauty salon (Dainty Beauty) or an American 50’s style Milkshake Diner (Sammie’s Sweet Shakes). Or both as I like to be kept busy and challenged!

Q. What are you most excited by on e-Trade Commercial Combined?

I am most excited about the challenge of actively seeking and winning the business from our brokers, therefore growing our book of business overall.

Neil Linwood - Trading Underwriter

I have worked in the insurance industry for over 10 years and started my career working within motor claims. I had always been very interested in underwriting and particularly the commercial side due to the varied nature of the role and risks which are presented. I decided to transfer to commercial underwriting in 2016 and have predominantly been responsible for the underwriting of Commercial SME and Property Owners new business. I have recently joined the business as a Trading Underwriter in the SME team and am really excited about the launch of our new e-Trade Commercial Combined product!

Q. If you were a small business owner, what type of business would you own?

I would own a record shop which should also have its own craft beer brewery on the side. I would particularly like the craft beer aspect as this would give me a great reason to try more of it... and that it would help to make it more available on the high street and would help grow its popularity further - for the greater good you see!

Q. What are you most excited by on e-Trade Commercial Combined?

I like the way that we can offer commercial combined quotations with a quick turnaround time, and also that the policy can be tailored towards the client’s individual needs - this will be key in assisting our brokers to win business.

Visit the e-Trade Commercial Combined product page

-Ends-