About Select 74

Vicki Livingstone

I’m the Propositions Manager at Swiss Re with nearly 20 years of experience in underwriting within both insurance and reinsurance sectors. My extensive background and expertise allow me to helps share knowledge within the industry.

I’ve recently joined the Select 74 committee, where I’m committed to contributing to the professional development and networking opportunities the group offers. Living on the outskirts of London, I love travelling to new places and meeting new people, often referring to my suitcase as my best friend!

Gareth Matthews

I’ve been the Chief Underwriter for Hannover Re UK since 2020, having moved back to the UK from Ireland where I held the same role. My responsibilities include underwriting and claims operations, strategy, philosophy and research and development and I’m especially interested in innovation, genetics and genomics as well as behavioural science.

Personal interests typically include getting into nature, some sort of socialising and – once a keen footballer before hanging up my boots – watching footie (and rugby) for my continued
sporting fix.

Martin Doughty

I am a Technical Claims Consultant, working in the Claims Philosophy & Governance team at  Aviva. I have 30 years of experience in Protection claims with Aviva and prior to that with NatWest/RBS. I really enjoy the varied nature of my role and the opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives at their time of need. I am delighted to be a member of the Select 74 committee and use my experience to help plan sessions that will help claims and underwriting staff  increase and develop their knowledge, as well as network with others in the industry.

Outside of work, most of my time revolves around my young family and  trying to keep fit and healthy through swimming, cycling and badminton. I also like to use the
volunteering time allowed by Aviva, to take part in activities to help my local community.

Jen Phillips

I’m a Development Underwriter at Legal and General, with 25 years of experience in the protection industry. My previous work in a training role fostered a passion for providing continuing professional development opportunities for underwriting and claims professionals at all stages of their careers. I joined the Select 74 committee in 2019, and represent the club on the LUCID 2025 committee.

Away from underwriting, I have a keen interest in family and local history. I am a Qualified Genealogist (QG) and have undertaken postgraduate study (MSc Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies) at the University of Strathclyde.

Jon Rowlands

I’m a Senior Underwriting Specialist at Gen Re with over 25 years’ experience in direct office and reinsurance underwriting with experience across all product lines with a particular interest in Income Protection and Group business.  One of the many things I enjoy about my role at Gen Re is meeting new people and being able to share my knowledge and with this is mind I very much enjoy the training role that I hold at our Business School in Cologne.  I joined the Select 74 committee in 2022 having held a previous role at the HIS in Ireland.

Outside of work I enjoy travel, running, gigging and following Spurs, Surrey and England cricket.

Chris Wright

I’ve had the pleasure of working in various roles in underwriting and claims over the past 23 years, both in direct insurance and reinsurance. I joined Munich Re in early 2023 and now lead our UW & Claims Operations team. My role gives me the opportunity to work with multiple direct offices and expand my experience in the industry. Most of my underwriting career has focused on the high-net-worth market. I’m passionate about helping clients write complex financial protection.

When I’m not at work, I’m busy driving my two boys around to their sports and drama activities which take up most of my evenings! I also love spending time outdoors whilst trying to get better at wildlife photography.

Victoria Finlayson

I have been extremely fortunate to have a lengthy career in the Life and Health Insurance industry for the last 35 years. I originally started at a direct office in the New Business Department then on to Underwriting around 1 year later. I have been in Reinsurance for 27 years initially at Swiss Re in London and then Zurich, Switzerland undertaking underwriting and claims for the Middle East, Far East and India Sub-Continent markets.

I have had the opportunity to travel and work in these areas and in 2000 I was part of a team that was instrumental in expanding the Indian Life Insurance market to foreign businesses, giving customers choice from the then single Government run life company. I have been at RGA since 2005 as a Senior Underwriter and more recently Team Manager with experience across all lines of business in the UK, from Life to Annuities. Training has been an integral part of my job and I still love learning and sharing the knowledge I have gained with clients
and colleagues alike. I have had the privilege of being on the Select 74 committee with an amazing group of like-minded professionals since 2019.

On a personal level I am a big fan of all sports and enjoy the gym, cycling and skiing along with travelling as much as possible with my family and friends.

Dale Woodward

I head up insurance innovation at iGPR with 25 years’ experience in underwriting and underwriting development within the protection sector. My experience enables me to develop improvements for claims and underwriting in the electronic health reports space. I’m part of the Select 74 committee to contribute to the running of this important education and networking group, helping to bring the industry together.

Living in Swindon I enjoy sport, Golf, F1 and Football (if my team wins).

Emily Clark

I am a Senior Underwriter at Pacific Life Re and hold the position of Chair at Select 74. With over 15 years of experience in the insurance industry, as well as experience in all product lines, my passion lies in continuous learning and fostering connections across the industry, while also providing opportunities for others to grow. In 2018, I became a member of Select 74, and in 2023, I was appointed Chair.

Additionally, I am the vice chair of LUCID. Outside of work, my time is happily occupied by my 4-year-old (who acts like a 14-year-old!) and my King Charles Cavalier, Ralph

Vivienne O’Brien

I began underwriting many years ago at Norwich Union Dublin, then moving onto a Bancassurer and am now a Senior Underwriter at SCOR having been with the company almost 20 years. With many years working in this industry, far too many to remember, I have extensive experience across all lines of business in both the Irish and UK protection markets!

Underwriting is an ever-changing landscape that continually reshapes with medical advancements and technology and for me, it remains a fascinating discipline that I continue to enjoy. I have been a member of the Select committee since 2022 which provides a great opportunity to meet underwriting and claims professionals, network and assist with professional development. Outside of my role as an underwriter, I enjoy the gym, walking our goldendoodle Maddie alongside spending quality time with my family. I have an interest in cystic fibrosis as my daughter was diagnosed at 4 weeks old. She is now 13, happy and very, very well thanks to the life-changing modulators available to her.