5 Minutes with Steph Wigg

• Steph Wigg

What drew you to the insurance industry and how did you get your start?

I started working in the insurance industry when I was 20 years old – at the time I was an assistant manager at a retail clothing store and was looking for something that would give me the ability build a career.  My first job was an admin role in a broking firm which a friend recommended to me after expressing I was looking for a change.

You’re a specialist in motor insurance – what are the most exciting/challenging new developments in the category?

The most exciting thing for me is how much we are doing in the risk management space and all the things on offer to our customers, such as access to industry events. The most recent event – Transport leaders forum – was one of the best events I’ve been to since working at NZI. It had an amazing theme of looking after your people and their mental health, because putting people first creates a good culture and in turn will lead to success in the business.

What do you consider to be the biggest changes in the insurance industry since you started out?

The biggest change would be the way we look at risk, and the changing risk landscape in general. We now have a lot more information available to us which means we can be more considered and prudent when it comes to what we insure.

What has been the biggest professional challenge in your career so far?

The biggest challenge in my career so far would be overcoming the fear of not been taken seriously. The motor industry is still heavily male dominated, which in itself isn’t an issue for me as I grew up with five brothers! But when you don’t see yourself represented, it can make you feel like you don’t really belong.

My team has been fantastic in helping me overcome these thoughts and grow my confidence that I deserve to be in this role.

What is your approach to both personal and professional development?

I have a huge passion for people and understanding why we do what we do and what drives us to be who we are.

I love learning and challenging my own thinking, so I am always seeking out ways to be better – whether through life coaching, leadership courses, listening to podcasts or putting myself in challenging scenarios to build my confidence in areas that don’t necessarily come naturally to me. Like doing this profile for example!   

Who are the people who have influenced your career choices and professional development? What form did that influence take?

I have a handful of people to who have influenced my career choice, but the main one is Mike Davis who heads up the commercial motor underwriting team at NZI. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for Mike seeing my potential and giving me an opportunity to join NZI as a Senior Underwriter, back in 2015. I often wonder if he hadn’t taken a chance on me where I would be now and how different things could have been. I will be forever grateful for Mike’s support and ability to see what I was capable of before I could.

We understand you have taken part in a mentoring programme; can you tell us about that experience – how the mentor/mentee relationship works and the benefits you gained.

I am lucky enough to have many mentors in my career so far and every single one has given me something different. It’s important for me to have a variety of people to look up to and be inspired by. My mentors within a workplace are very different to the mentors I have for my personal life. I also think it’s important to take the bits you want from the mentor and not take everything as gospel – at the end of the day they are also human and make mistakes, the most effective mentors are ones that lead with vulnerability and also share their struggles for you to learn from.

They can also help you see the things you don’t see in yourself, which is a huge confidence booster, particularly if it’s something you would have doubted or not even thought of because of having a fixed mindset.

You are a NZI Jeremy Bold Scholarship recipient, what does that involve?

The award is designed to recognise outstanding performance and to develop NZI’s emerging leaders – something JB was incredibly passionate about. As part of the award you receive a $5k scholarship to contribute towards your professional development and mentorship from Gary Taylor for 12 months.

It’s a been a huge privilege to be selected for this award.

What would be your two/three key pieces of advice to young professionals starting out in the insurance industry.

Always continue to build relationships and be kind to everyone, because you never know when they may pop up again in your career (as we know the industry is small). Also, if you don’t have a mentor or two, get one. I have a couple of incredible mentors and I have grown so much by having their support. Having people in your corner encouraging you and challenging you is invaluable. 

What do you do to maintain work-life balance?

I have a huge passion for dance-fitness and in 2023 I started my own dance fitness company – so this definitely keeps me busy outside of my day job. It’s an outlet for my creative side and connecting with people which is my absolute passion.

You’re about to embark on your biggest challenge yet – parenthood. How are you preparing yourself for life outside of ‘work’?

I’m not ha-ha, I’m still in a bit of denial at this stage. Can you really prepare for having a year off work? I guess you just deal with it! 

And some light-hearted ones

• What’s your top recommendation for a place to eat – Dan-Dan Noodles at Basu lounge in Takapuna – the BEST noodles I’ve had in my life!
• Your favourite holiday destination – Barcelona is my favourite place in the world.
• What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?  A forensic scientist – I soon realised you needed to be good at science so that dream quickly fell off the radar!