Voted by The judging panel Sponsored by Ace Europe.
Jillian Watt - AXA
"This is a fantastic personal achievement and it is great to receive the recognition that goes with winning this award," said Jillian Watt, senior business finance manager of AXA Insurance.
At 29 and a qualified chartered management accountant, Jillian is the youngest member of the Commercial lines executive. Most of her time is spent working with the commercial lines director and the management team focusing on the financial performance of the commercial business.
Currently, as head of finance in the commercial segment, Jillian's role predominantly involves improving financial results. However, over the past year Jillian has started to explore value-based relationships with key partners as opposed to transactional relationships.
The mix of knowing when to leave the calculator behind, along with the ability to pin-point specific financial imperatives for each deal based on prior experience, has led to a number of important successes in new business both from AXA and a broker perspective. In fact, Jillian has made a significant contribution to help secure about £50m of written premium for 2004.
Mark Cliff, commercial distribution director of AXA, was thrilled to hear the news. "I'm delighted that Jillian has won this award. It is thoroughly deserved. Jillian has brought a new and innovative approach to our management of our key numbers, the financial issues arising and options on solutions.
"I can rely on Jillian to work with the finance professionals and a number of our key business partners, certain in the knowledge that the results will enhance our standing with our customers and will benefit them and their plans for their businesses."
Jane Cook - Cox Insurance
HR manager of Cox Insurance Jane Cook was absolutely delighted to hear the news that she had jointly won the Young Achiever of the Year award.
"It is wonderful to get the recognition of Insurance Times and the industry for my achievements at Cox. It has been an exciting challenge for me over the last four years and it is rewarding to be recognised for all that hard work," said Cook.
"I would like to thank Fiona King, and the team around me at the company, who are all working to ensure that our customers receive the highest quality service. It's inspiring to be part of such a driven organisation."
Andrew Fisher, Group Chief Executive, Cox Insurance Holdings, is also delighted for Jane: "We would like to congratulate Jane and thank her for all her hard work over the last four years.
"Jane has not only achieved great things in her HR roles, but has assisted in the successful implementation of many of Cox's key strategic projects.
Her award reflects the strength of the Cox team and is recognition of the levels of excellence that we look to achieve in everything we do."
Cox Insurance Holdings is a leading company in the UK retail insurance market. The Group combines the UK's largest insurance underwriter at Lloyd's with a growing broking business.
Cox is the UK's largest insurer of motorcycles and the seventh biggest motor insurer.
Its integrated business model, selective underwriting criteria and mix of distribution channels are the differentiating factors that will continue to drive growth and deliver shareholder value.
