WHO?
Gillian Maconachie

WHAT?
Underwriting Manager

WHAT DO YOU ACTUALLY DO?
I am responsible for the control and growth of our in house underwriting authorities ensuring that we deliver an excellent product and a healthy business for our Partner Insurers.

FIRST SENIOR JOB?
Senior Property Underwriter at Commercial Union, Glasgow

DO YOU WORK FOR LOVE OR MONEY?
Both - I love to work, and I work to live

WHAT HAS BEEN THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT STAGE OF YOUR CAREER?
The opportunity to join a fast track underwriting programme which involved a move to the Commercial Union Head Office in London for a year. This gave me the opportunity to learn from the Company's most experienced and skilled Underwriters, and to deal with the larger more complex risks.

WHAT GOT YOU WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?
A combination of factors - hard work, ambition and being in the right place at the right time.

ANY REGRETS?
I don't believe in having regrets. I have enjoyed my career to date and wouldn't change any aspect of it.

12-HOUR DAY OR OUT THE DOOR BY FIVE?
Early starter, but have to escape at 5pm due to family commitments. However, I am lucky enough to be able to access our computer systems from home which gives me the flexibility needed to stay on top of everything.

EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL?
Early bird

TECHNOGEEK OR TECHNOPHOBE?
Definitely a technophobe

BEST UNDER PRESSURE OR WELL CHILLED?
I enjoy some pressure and find that it can be used as a positive force

CREATIVE OR LOGICAL?
Definitely logical. I love crosswords and suduko and anything which involves puzzle or problem solving.

TEAM PLAYER OR LONE WOLF?
A bit of both. I enjoy being part of a larger team, however my current role in more akin to 'lone wolf'

OFFICE ESSENTIALS?
A series of notebooks which I take from job to job crammed with unusual underwriting facts, figures and rates for those 'just in case' risks.

WHERE WILL YOU BE FIVE YEARS FROM NOW?
Hopefully here with an army of Underwriters under my direction.

YOU'VE WON THE LOTTERY: WHAT DO YOU DO?
I'm afraid I don't play the lottery, but if I did and I won, I wouldn't tell anybody! However a particular charity and some friends and family might be surprised by some large donations, and my Mum & Dad would hopefully enjoy their dream cruise around the Greek Islands.

PERFECT RECIPE FOR WINDING DOWN?
A chilled glass of Sancerre

WHAT'S YOUR WORST HABIT?
Not telling!

WHICH PUBLIC FIGURE (ALIVE OR DEAD) DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
Douglas Bader - to me he epitomises the qualities of courage, leadership and fighting spirit.

WHICH PUBLIC FIGURE (ALIVE OR DEAD) WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO GO FOR A BEER WITH?
Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall - he's an interesting bloke and we can hopefully swap recipes over a pint of his home made cider.