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2020 Women to Watch: Vered Lobel

Posted On: Dec. 2, 2020 12:00 AM CST

Vered Lobel

Vered Lobel
Head of U.K. underwriting, accident & health and leisure travel
American International Group U.K. Ltd.
London
Age: 39

Taking on her latest role at American International Group Inc. at the beginning of 2020 meant Vered Lobel had no choice but to plunge in at the deep end.

The year has provided plenty of opportunities as well as challenges, she said, and her naturally optimistic view on life meant she was well placed to make the most of those opportunities.

“Going through life with a twin means I have always been confident. I have found that working from home full time, using video calls, etc., has given a voice to some of the quieter people in the team and also created a more unified team with colleagues based in different geographies,” she said.

Ms. Lobel said she has enjoyed working from home and gained experience through the process but acknowledges that lockdowns have shown the value of connections between people and the need to balance working at home with time in the office.

A keen statistician, she studied actuarial science at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. She later qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries. Her first job was in the pension fund consultancy business of Willis Towers
Watson PLC.

“I really valued that time at Willis Towers Watson. I learned a lot about written communications and communicating generally — which has held me in good stead for the rest of my career.” 

She is also grateful to those people who trusted her to take on new roles despite not necessarily having a traditional background for the position.

“Ian Robinson, my current manager, for example, had confidence in me that I could take on the head of underwriting role, despite my actuarial rather than underwriting background. He trusted that I would work hard, adapt and learn.”

Mr. Robinson, who is head of U.K. personal insurance for AIG, said, “She has earned the respect of her underwriting colleagues and continues to mentor and develop those around her by setting the highest example in all that she does.” 

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