In this episode of the Price Writers Podcast, Catrin and Jeremy share their yearly book roundup. History and nonfiction to fiction that genuinely surprised them, this conversation goes well beyond a simple reading list.   They explore what reading outside technical comfort zones can offer, from perspective and empathy to slowing down and thinking differently. Along the way, they discuss standout books, unexpected favourites, and why fiction can be just as valuable for professional growth as nonfiction.   Tell us in the comments What was your standout read this year?    Listen now and subscribe for more conversations on learning, leadership, and the pricing profession.   #PriceWriters [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/pricewriters] #PriceWritersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/pricewriterspodcast] #ContinuousLearning [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/continuouslearning] #PricingProfessionals [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/pricingprofessionals] #LeadershipDevelopment [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/leadershipdevelopment] #BooksAndIdeas [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/booksandideas]  Price Writers transforms pricing professionals into the most respected leaders in insurance.

In this episode of The Price Writers Podcast, Catrin and Jeremy look back at the books that shaped their year. With the holiday season approaching, they share a lively mix of titles spanning statistics, capitalism, consumerism, politics, society, and the stories that reshape how we see money, work and modern life.  If you enjoy book recommendations with a blend of economics, society and a touch of storytelling, this one's for you.    And what about you? What books shaped 2025 for you? Tell us in the comments.    Price Writers transforms pricing professionals into the most respected leaders in insurance.

This week on The Price Writer Podcast, Catrin and Jeremy step away from pricing books and dive into something a little more festive: the joy of gifting books!  From childhood classics to modern bestsellers, thoughtful finds, and even a few "avoid if you can" picks, they share their favourite books to give, receive, and re-read. Here they share stories of nostalgic gifts, surprisingly emotional fiction, and some delightfully quirky recommendations,  including an unexpected discussion on the world of porridge recipe books.  Perfect listening for anyone who loves books, thoughtful presents, or just needs a little holiday inspiration!   🎄 Subscribe to The Price Writer Podcast for conversations that connect the worlds of books, pricing, and leadership, with a generous helping of good humour.   📍 Find out more about Price Writers and our new Price Writers Pro platform at https://pricewriters.com  Price Writers transforms pricing professionals into the most respected leaders in insurance.

Everyone wants to win. But winning isn't just about working harder: it's about creating the right conditions for success. In this episode, we explore what it takes to ensure your efforts are recognised and your value is seen.   If you've ever felt overlooked, underappreciated, or frustrated that your hard work isn't noticed, this episode is for you. Learn how to set yourself up to achieve your goals and create the environment where your work truly shines.  

In this episode of The Price Writer Podcast, Catrin and Jeremy explore "The Pathfinders" by Will Iredale, the remarkable story of an elite Royal Air Force unit that transformed the accuracy of bombing missions during World War II. Together, they discuss what pricing professionals can learn from this extraordinary group, including the importance of clear organisational goals, leadership, specialisation, and innovation under pressure.   The conversation also touches on the value of low-tech improvements, continual review and feedback, and developing people even in high-stakes environments. While this episode references war, air raids, and casualties in the historical context of WWII, it is approached with deep empathy and respect for those affected by conflict, past and present.   Thoughtful, insightful, and surprisingly relevant, this discussion shows how lessons from history can shape stronger, more connected pricing teams today.  🎧 Listen now to discover what pricing's "tinfoil trick" might be.  #InsurancePricing [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/insurancepricing] #PriceWriters [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/pricewriters] #ThePriceWriterPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thepricewriterpodcast] #LeadershipInPricing [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/leadershipinpricing] Price Writers transforms pricing professionals into the most respected leaders in insurance.

🚫 An organisation without hierarchy?! This week on the PriceWriters Podcast, we're diving into Holacracy by Brian Robertson: a radical rethink of how organisations can operate without traditional management structures. But could this bold approach work in the world of insurance pricing? We unpack the principles, the potential, and the pitfalls, plus share some practical takeaways (no matter how many managers your team has!) Julia Lessing's Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLdv6UDfPS5vpXnuppatdCCubaqT9ofY2F #Podcast #Holacracy #InsurancePricing #OrganisationalDesign #Leadership #Innovation #PriceWriters

Stepping up into management is one of the toughest transitions an actuary, pricing professional, or data scientist can make. Technical expertise will only take you so far, and the real challenge is leading people, delegating effectively, and finding time for your own development.  In this episode of The Price Writer Podcast, Catrin and Jeremy discuss Aspiring Actuarial Leaders - The Modern Manager's Toolkit by Julia Lessing, a book designed to help technical experts become confident and effective managers.    📍 Listen in, reflect, and get inspired to take your next step in leadership.   Price Writers transforms pricing professionals into the most respected leaders in insurance. Find out more at www.PriceWriters.com   #insurancepricing #CareerGrowth #PriceWritersPodcast

In this episode, Jeremy and Catrin explore why gender diversity in pricing is more than a pipeline issue and what leaders can do to actively support inclusion. Drawing on insights from a powerful book, they discuss practical steps leaders can take, including a 12-point "cheat sheet" of actions to put into practice straight away. From the way coding skills are described on CVs to the subtle biases that shape retention, rewards, and progression, they highlight how inequality often shows up in small ways that add up to big challenges. Expect a candid, practical conversation on how to build stronger, fairer teams and why the benefits of diversity go far beyond fairness alone.  Price Writers transforms pricing professionals into the most respected leaders in insurance.  Find out more at http://www.pricewriters.com   #priceWriters #InsurancePricing #CareerGrowth #Podcast #PriceWritersPodcast

Fresh from Philadelphia, where Jeremy accepted his Indie Book Award win for The Price Writer, he and Catrin sat down to unpack the standout titles from the awards ceremony, including a few that might just change the way you lead, think, and work.  In this episode, they explore three books that caught their attention and offer surprising relevance to pricing professionals:  The Productive Perfectionist: Catrin reflects on the tension between perfection and performance, and why this book resonated with her as a leader.  How We Choose to Show Up: Jeremy dives into energy management, presence, and how the choices we make affect our impact at work.  It's Not (All) Your Fault: A thought-provoking systems-thinking lens on self-help, this book challenges some of the most ingrained narratives about personal responsibility.  Expect candid takes, practical reflections, and a few disagreements on which titles truly earned their awards.  Price Writers transforms pricing professionals into the most respected leaders in insurance. Find out more at http://www.pricewriters.com  #priceWriters #InsurancePricing #CareerGrowth #Podcast #PriceWritersPodcast

This week, Jeremy and Catrin share their top book picks for aspiring pricing professionals, or anyone who loves a great science or stats read. Catrin recommends three accessible books to spark curiosity (Storm in a Teacup), sharpen data communication (How to Lie with Statistics), and master problem-solving (Thinking Mathematically). Along the way, they debate dust jackets, spilt coffee science, and why hobbies reveal hiring potential. Jeremy also gives a shoutout to Catrin's book as a must-read. Plus, a teaser for the next episode's Indie Book Award highlights! Listen now for insights (and a few laughs).   Price Writers transforms pricing professionals into the most respected leaders in insurance.  Find out more at www.PriceWriters.com 

In this episode of The Price Writers Podcast, Jeremy and Catrin explore Why Insurance Markets Fail and What to Do About It by economists Liran Einav, Amy Finkelstein, and Ray Fisman.  They tackle the tricky concept of anti-selection, sharing why it confuses even seasoned insurance professionals. With examples ranging from U.S. medical insurance to American Airlines' baffling ticket offers, they make a complex topic surprisingly clear and even entertaining.  Add the book to your summer reading list (or just let us summarise it for you). #InsurancePricing [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/insurancepricing] #Risk [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/risk] #AntiSelection [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/antiselection] #ThePriceWritersPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/thepricewriterspodcast] #BookClubForPricingNerds [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bookclubforpricingnerds]

In this episode, Jeremy and Catrin explore Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed, reflecting on how its themes of cognitive diversity and constructive challenge apply directly to pricing teams. They unpack the idea that diversity of thought rather than background alone can drive innovation, and they share personal stories of when uniform thinking held back progress. From project team dynamics to the impact of power structures, they explore why pricing professionals often reach similar solutions, and how broadening input from across disciplines and industries can lead to better outcomes. Catrin draws parallels between literature and analytics, while Jeremy questions whether a lack of differing perspectives has led to stagnation in pricing innovation. This is an honest and practical conversation about creating space for alternative views, learning from others outside the pricing bubble, and presenting ideas more effectively to diverse audiences. PriceWriters is a training and education company focused on insurance pricing. Find out more about our engaging training, graduate schemes and workshops, by visiting: 👉 www.pricewriters.com [http://www.pricewriters.com/] #InsurancePricing [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23insurancepricing&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #GeneralInsurance [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23generalinsurance&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #PandCInsurance [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23pandcinsurance&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED] #PriceWriter [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?keywords=%23pricewriter&origin=HASH_TAG_FROM_FEED]

Join Jeremy Keating and Catrin Townsend as they relaunch the Price Writer Podcast with a fresh new focus on books and their relevance to insurance pricing teams.  In this episode, we explore The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni and examine how the model applies to technical and data-driven teams in insurance. From the challenge of building trust in large departments to the value of constructive conflict, we discuss practical, real-world insights on managing teams, holding each other accountable, and avoiding the low standards that arise from unresolved tensions.  Whether you're leading a pricing function or collaborating across teams, this episode unpacks how a popular business book can offer genuinely useful takeaways, even in the highly regulated world of general insurance.  Expect honest reflections, practical examples, and the occasional Monty Python anecdote.  PriceWriters is a training and education company focused on insurance pricing. Find out more about our engaging training, graduate schemes and workshops, by visiting 👉 www.pricewriters.com  #InsurancePricing #GeneralInsurance #PandCInsurance #PriceWriter

In this episode, we're joined by Max Wicks, a pricing professional whose journey from professional boxing to general insurance is anything but typical. Max talks about falling into pricing via a graduate scheme, how his motor trade background gave him a head start, and building a career without following the traditional actuarial exam route. We discuss his move from GLMs to GBMs, and how data science is transforming pricing teams. Max shares practical tips on building models more efficiently, navigating legacy systems, and improving transparency in modern methods. He also highlights the value of curiosity, subject matter expertise, and what insurance can learn from tech. Perfect for anyone in pricing or data science looking to modernise their approach, question legacy thinking, and rethink career paths.

Books mentioned: Best Book of the Quarter Aspiring Actuarial Leaders – The Modern Manager's Toolkit - Julia Lessing Insurance Books Why Insurance Markets Fail and What to Do About It - Liran Einav, Ray Fisman, Amy Finkelstein The Art of Uncertainty - David Spiegelhalter Non-fiction Books KIND - Graham Allcott Dare to Lead - Brené Brown The Authority Gap - Mary Ann Sieghart Zig Ziglar's Secrets of Closing the Sale - Zig Ziglar The Imposter Cure - Dr Jessamy Hibberd $100M Offers - Alex Hormozi Politics on the Edge - Rory Stewart Apocalypse Never - Michael Shellenberger Traction - Gabriel Weinberg, Justin Mares Let It Go: My Extraordinary Story - From Refugee to Entrepreneur to Philanthropist - Stephanie Shirley Dear Female Founder - Lu Li Be Useful - Arnold Schwarzenegger (twice) Fiction Book Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen Kids Book Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematician Katherine Johnson - Katherine Johnson Inspiring Pricing Our next event is Inspiring Pricing at Insurance Hall, London on 20th May 2025 Why attend? 🔹Discover how Inclusion, Integrity, and Innovation can Inspire Pricing Success 🔹Connect with leading pricing professionals and industry experts 🔹Take away practical tools to make real progress toward your goals This isn't just a conference. It's about making real progress. 🎟 Price Writer members: £199 🎟 Non-members: £399 🔹 Only 50 tickets available! Book now: https://inspire.pricewriters.com/ A big thank you to our sponsors Ascentia Partners | MavenBlue | Consumer Intelligence I'd love to see you there

This month on the Price Writer podcast I spoke to Julia Lessing actuary, executive coach, and author of "Aspiring Actuarial Leaders: The Modern Manager's Toolkit." Julia is the founder of Guardian Actuarial and she shares her journey from actuary to leadership mentor, discussing the critical transition from technical expert to effective manager and leader. Highlights * Julia's motivation behind writing her book and how it's designed to help actuaries develop crucial managerial skills * Personal experiences of challenging transitions into management roles, highlighting the importance of targeted leadership training * Practical tips on communication, understanding audience needs, and navigating uncertainty effectively * Julia's unique career pivots and insights from roles like breastfeeding counselor and Lifeline crisis counselor, demonstrating the unexpected links between actuarial thinking and effective communication * Her vision for empowering actuaries through lifelong learning and leadership skills, enhancing their ability to impact organizations and communities positively This discussion is packed with valuable insights to help you develop your career and enhance your professional growth

In this insightful episode, Simon joins Jeremy to explore his 30-year journey from consulting to building Calibrant, a leading MGA consultancy, and developing Sybil, an innovative portfolio management platform. Simon shares his passion for portfolio management, emphasising its critical role in ensuring long-term profitability in insurance.  Key topics include: * The Value of Portfolio Management: Why nurturing existing portfolios is essential for sustained success. * Breaking Down Silos: How collaboration across pricing, reserving, and underwriting can unlock untapped potential. * Overcoming Challenges: Tackling messy processes and the limitations of spreadsheets with innovative solutions like Sybil. * A Bayesian Approach: Using continuous data updates and control cycles to refine models and drive better decisions. This episode highlights practical methods for turning insights into actionable, profitable outcomes. Learn how Simon and his team are defining the future of portfolio management!

Tom's Journey and the Future of Insurance Pricing Join us in this episode as Jeremy Keating interviews Thomas Saliba delving into his career journey and expertise in insurance pricing. Tom recounts his early fascination with maths, leading him to a successful career at Norwich Union and eventually becoming an independent contractor. He discusses his work with Lloyd's syndicates and MGAs, emphasizing the integration of data science in pricing. Explore debates on off-the-shelf vs. custom-built pricing software and the influence of AI on coding and pricing practices. Ideal for pricing professionals, this episode offers invaluable insights into the complexities, innovations, and the evolving future of insurance pricing.

Books mentioned: Best of the year A Risky Business: An Actuary's Guide to Quantifying and Managing Risk in Society - Catrin Townsend Non-fiction Fluke - Dr Brian Klaas Escape from Model Land - Erica Thompson You're Better Than They Think You Are - Sir Rod Aldridge Blue Ocean Strategy - W. Chan Kim, Renee Mauborgne The Power of Moments - Chip Heath, Dan Heath Enzo Ferrari - Luca Dal Monte The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life - Steven Bartlett Churchill - Andrew Roberts Normandy '44 - James Holland D-Day - Antony Beevor Stalingrad - Antony Beevor Band of Brothers - Stephen E. Ambrose D-Day - Stephen E. Ambrose The Battle of the Atlantic - Jonathan Dimbleby Masters of the Air - Donald L. Miller Sicily '43 - James Holland  Becoming Superman - J Michael Straczynski Midnight in Chernobyl - Adam Higginbotham Challenger - Adam Higginbotham Supercommunicators - Charles Duhigg Methods of Persuasion - Nick Kolenda Imagine Reading This Book - Nick Kolenda Pre-Suasion - Robert Cialdini The Challenger Sale - Matthew Dixon, Brent Adamson Dark Psychology and Manipulation - Lucas Bailey The Illusion of Choice - Richard Shotton The Charisma Myth - Olivia Fox Cabane Want - Gillian Anderson We Can All Make It - Sara Davies Single-Minded: My Life in Business - Claude Littner Fiction Leviathan Wakes - James S. A. Corey Caliban's War - James S. A. Corey Abaddon's Gate - James S. A. Corey Cibola Burn - James S. A. Corey Nemesis Games - James S. A. Corey Babylon's Ashes - James S. A. Corey Persepolis Rising - James S. A. Corey Tiamat's Wrath - James S. A. Corey Leviathan Falls - James S. A. Corey The Three-Body Problem - Cixin Liu, Ken Liu Pompeii - Robert Harris Greyhound - C.S. Forester  The Roommate - Rosie Danan Prelude to Foundation - Isaac Asimov Foundation and Empire - Isaac Asimov Second Foundation - Isaac Asimov Precipice - Robert Harris French Short Stories - Lingo Mastery Short Stories in French - Olly Richards, Richard Simcott French Sci-Fi Short Stories - Sebastian Cutillo To Children Skin in the Game - Jane Wurwand I Am Malala - Malala Yousafzai Jo Malone: My Story The Trials of Life - David Attenborough World War 1 & 2 History for Kids History Brought Alive The Princess Bride - William Goldman Tin Tin – various including TinTin on the Moon Star Wars: In the Shadow of Yavin Some of The Wizard of Oz Collection by - L. Frank Baum The Princess Bride (again) The Adventures of Parsley the Lion Wonka - Sibéal Pounder, Paul King Sing - Dreamworks Both My Family and Other Animals - Gerand Durrell Kensuke's Kingdom - Michael Morpurgo Our next event is Inspiring Pricing at Insurance Hall, London on 20th May 2025 Why attend? 🔹Discover how Inclusion, Integrity, and Innovation can Inspire Pricing Success 🔹Connect with leading pricing professionals and industry experts 🔹Take away practical tools to make real progress toward your goals This isn't just a conference. It's about making real progress.  🎟 Price Writer members: £199 🎟 Non-members: £399 🔹 Only 50 tickets available! Book now: https://inspire.pricewriters.com/ A big thank you to our sponsors Ascentia Partners | MavenBlue | Consumer Intelligence I'd love to see you there

Welcome to our latest episode where we return to the world of insurance pricing this time with our special guest, Martin Ellingsworth, a seasoned expert in data analytics and insurance pricing. Hosted by Jeremy, this conversation covers everything from Marty's unique journey into the insurance industry to the current trends and challenges in pricing and risk management. Key Takeaways: -Marty's journey from military operations research to becoming an insurance data analytics expert. -The evolution and importance of accurate data in improving insurance pricing. -The impact of external factors, such as used car values and economic shifts, on the insurance industry. -The role of technology and predictive analytics in shaping the future of insurance. -Insights into the personal auto insurance market and the challenges it faces.  Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Leave a comment below or connect with us on social media. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest content.