Next up in our ‘People behind the tech’ series is Marc Jackson, who joined WCL in April 2022 as Senior Account Executive. Marc began his career on the graduate program with British Airways as a Junior Business Analyst and spent much of his career working with insurtech businesses from start-up and early-stage companies to big corporates before joining WCL.
Name: Marc Jackson
Job title: Senior Account Executive
1. Can you tell us about your career journey so far?
I started my career at British Airways as part of their Graduate program. After leaving school, I knew I wanted a job that gave me the ability to travel as well as exposure to the corporate working world. During my time at British Airways, I developed an enjoyment for technology and problem solving.
When I was looking to leave BA I swore never to work in the City of London but when I found out about the opportunities the City held, my mind changed. Since leaving BA’s graduate program, I spent the last 17 years working for numerous insurtech businesses from start-up and early-stage companies to big corporates. I worked at two businesses during their infancy – the first was Randall Lyons, a Document and Workflow Management solution provider, which was acquired by Capita Software Services in 2005. The second was KnowledgeCenter, an insurance business solutions provider, which was acquired by Charles Taylor in 2013. Throughout my career I have predominantly been in client facing roles including Project/Programme Management, Pre Sales, Account Management and now Enterprise Sales.
2. What is an average day in the life of a Senior Account Executive?
Most of my time is spent on understanding the needs of prospective clients in the market and focussing on where WCL’s capabilities can support the business. I develop value-based propositions that strategically help existing and prospective clients to increase revenues, reduce overheads or accelerate digital change.
I also spend a lot of my time on building relationships with clients. As a market built on relationships it is important that clients know how WCL can support them and trust us as experts in our field.
Joining WCL at a pivotal moment in the insurance market is very exciting. Having been in the insurance and insurtech space for 17 years, I can see how WCL’s technology continues to remain relevant in an evolving environment as the insurance market strives to modernise and transform its processes.
3. What do you enjoy most about your job and why?
One of my favourite parts about the job is getting to meet new and existing customers and work with them on implementing real transformational solutions. WCL is continually focussed on helping our clients to improve their operation and be a step ahead of the rest of the market.
Another enjoyable part of my job is working with a great team with a similar mindset. Having spent most of my career working with businesses in growth mode, I am excited to join WCL at such an interesting time in its growth trajectory.
4. Which areas for developing technology do you see as the most important for your business and industry?
One of the biggest areas for growth in the market is the application of automation and systems integration. A key focus for the insurance market is to replace manual processes with automation and free up key people to do the job they are employed to do. This can then allow business leaders to focus on running a more efficient, cost-effective, and successful operation.
Another area in the market that needs attention is the ability to be able to service all participants in the insurance value chain. At WCL we are particularly focused on this – servicing clients from distribution to premium collection and financial settlement.
5. What is your proudest moment in work or your greatest achievement in your career and why?
I was very proud to have been accepted on to the BA graduate scheme as a Junior Business Analyst. Tens of thousands of applicants apply each year and only 300 people are granted places – it was a great achievement to be one of the 300.
I have also been very proud of the work I have done with start-up business, working to help a relatively unknown company grow into a business that gets acquired by larger organisations is very rewarding.
6. Following the acquisition by Zywave what are you most excited about / opportunities to explore.
Since starting at WCL, I have enjoyed working with our existing customers to understand the value WCL already provides. Additionally, I’m looking forward to accessing and leveraging the capabilities of the wider Zywave group to support WCL’s growth through employees, technology and clients.
Joining WCL at a pivotal moment for the insurance market is very exciting. Having been in the insurance and insurtech space for 17 years, I can see how WCL’s technology continues to remain relevant in an evolving environment as the insurance market strives to modernise and transform its processes. The opportunities are endless.