Hui Yu | Age: 43 Underwriting manager

Emergin Risk, a unit of Ryan Specialty Group Holdings Inc.

London

Hui Yu started with a dream of working as a journalist or a film and TV director, studying journalism and media and art design for her degrees. After working for radio and TV stations and film production companies, though, she soon discovered that, while the media and entertainment industry was fun, it would not provide the financial independence she wanted.

Looking for a little extra income, she started temping as a part-time claims handler in London. “From there the flood gate opened,” she said. “I then moved on to work for loss adjusters as an incident manager and then as an in-house senior claims adviser.”

In 2007, an opportunity to bring both her worlds together came because a Lloyd’s of London brokerage was expanding into media and entertainment contingency insurance and was looking for someone with experience in both industries.

“From there I officially started my London insurance career,” she said, “moving on from broking to underwriting. I enjoyed that analytical and inquisitive side of being an underwriter, which resonates with being a journalist to a degree.”

Ms. Yu said of winning the Women to Watch Award: “It gives me that sense of confidence, knowing that what I am doing has in a small way contributed in a positive way to the business and the industry. But what it means more to me is how important it is to work with the right people who understand you.”

At Emergin Risk, she said, “the team always make a point of trying to listen and see each other’s viewpoint. That really created a working ecosystem where the leaders are able to have close to a 360-degree perspective on any business challenges,” she said.

Originally from Shanghai, Ms. Yu said, “What I love about London is it’s so vibrant, full of life and filled with choices. There is endless exploring to do. I also enjoy learning languages. I am currently due to take Spanish as a foreign language exam. “Fingers crossed, I pass,” she said.