Jenny Screech

Background

About Jenny Screech

I am currently a consultant working with Howden (UK) Group Limited supporting their solicitors' professional indemnity team. I have worked in the area of solicitors' professional indemnity insurance since arriving in London in at which time I also re-qualified as a solicitor in this jurisdiction. I was initially engaged as a claims solicitor at the Solicitors Indemnity Fund and then at Zurich Insurance, where I also took the role of team leader managing a team of solicitors. I moved on promotion to the underwriting side of the business in 2004, and was further promoted to the position of Legal Professions Manager in April 2008. I continued in that role until April 2016. I managed the underwriting of professional indemnity cover for legal professionals and took responsibility for the more complex risks. I liaised with actuaries to set rating, developed best practice guidelines and policy wordings and continued to work closely with the claims team. This role also had a significant market facing aspect including managing relationships with larger clients and representing Zurich in relation to various initiatives with the Law Society, Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Association of British Insurers. I participated as a speaker in a number of market forums and regularly provided commentary for the insurance and legal press. Prior to my career in the insurance industry I practised as a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand for fifteen years and was a partner in one of the largest provincial practices for eleven years. I practised exclusively within the litigation department. I ultimately specialised in family law litigation and accident compensation appeal work, but over the years I undertook a broad range of work including criminal, civil, insolvency, and medical disciplinary work. During this time I also held various Law Society positions.