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About Us
Syndicate Management
Investing at Lloyd's
tax-corporate-services
News
In the final episode of Voices of Change: Women transforming capital & risk, APCL welcomes Rachel Turk, Chief of Market Performance at Lloyd's of London, for a candid and energising conversation about leadership, resilience and the future of the insurance industry.
Hosted by Kate Tongue, Executive Director at APCL, the discussion explores Rachel’s journey from equity analyst and chartered accountant to one of the most senior figures at Lloyd’s. Having previously served as Chief Underwriting Officer and spent nearly fifteen years at Beazley, Rachel brings a rare blend of underwriting, finance and strategy experience – alongside a refreshingly honest leadership perspective.
Listen to the episode below:
A key theme of this episode is confidence – where it comes from and how it’s built. Rachel reflects on her competitive drive, shaped early in life through sport, and the critical role that sponsors and advocates have played throughout her career. Some were formal mentors and others were quieter supporters she only recognised upon reflection. Ultimately, she notes that success is never a solo endeavour. Networks, sponsors and amplifiers matter, particularly in industries that have historically been male-dominated.
The conversation also offers a powerful insight into what modern leadership looks like at the top of the market. Rachel speaks openly about rejecting the idea that leadership requires a uniform. Whether it’s visibly blocking out time to work out during the day, dressing in a way that reflects her personality, or speaking honestly about the challenges of being a single parent in a demanding role, she is intentional about role modelling authenticity and dismissing the idea that you have to be a carbon copy of others in the industry to be successful. Rachel highlights that modern leadership is about humanising seniority – giving others permission to be themselves and to admit when things feel difficult.
As Lloyd’s continues its transformation towards digitalisation, Rachel shares her approach to leading through change. Communication, she points out, is everything. In the absence of clear information, people fill the gaps themselves. Openness, clarity and consistent messaging are essential to maintaining your employees’ engagement and trust. She also addresses an often-overlooked reality of senior roles: the higher you rise, the less feedback you receive – and you certainly receive very little, if any, positive feedback. Building internal resilience, seeking coaching and creating trusted circles of support become vital in keeping you afloat.
The episode doesn’t shy away from the tensions of the industry either. Rachel highlights the extraordinary strength of the Lloyd’s network, including the connectivity, friendships and collaboration that make insurance unique, while also acknowledging the challenges, from struggles with work-life balance to the demands and potential guilt-traps of client entertainment.
Looking ahead, Rachel raises an important issue for Lloyd’s and the broader insurance industry. With more professionals in the market over fifty than under thirty, attracting the next generation into insurance is critical. To remedy this age imbalance, she reiterates that the industry must stop describing itself as something people “fall into” and instead champion it as a dynamic, global career that young people purposefully target.
The final episode captures the true spirit of the Voices of Change series: celebrating progress, acknowledging reality and encouraging more women to step forward, lead boldly and shape the future of capital and risk.