Festive reflections: Isobel Rafferty

For the festive period, Insurance Times turns to its own reporters for some personal reflections on 2023 and what they hope to find under the tree for 2024.  

What was your insurance industry highlight of 2023?

My insurance industry highlight for 2023, and one that I will never forget, was meeting Sir Mo Farah on the last day of the Biba Conference in Manchester on 11 June.

As an avid athlete growing up, he was, and remains, a big role model to me – if only I’d remembered our matching spikes for him to sign!

A massive thank you to former Biba chief executive Steve White and the wider team for the opportunity, as well as deputy head of communications Leighann Forsyth for managing to capture the incredible moment on camera.

What is your Christmas message for your insurance colleagues?

I would like to express how grateful I am for the time and expertise that industry experts have shared with me since starting my role at Insurance Times and over the past year.

Coming into an unfamiliar industry as a first full-time reporter is not easy and my work wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

I look forward to hearing more of your stories, learning more about the intricacies of the industry and hopefully helping channel more positive change in 2024.

What do you hope to find under the industry’s Christmas tree for 2024?

It would be amazing if insurance could become truly accessible, to everyone – both in terms of attracting new talent and creating cover for those that still see insurance as a luxury item, who are arguably those who most need protection in times of crisis.