Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
Lindsey Sprake’s career began after she graduated with a diploma in performing arts, specialising in dance. She started her professional journey at a small IFA service provider, initially working as an administrative assistant. Over the course of 11 years, she progressed to the role of head paraplanner, taking on a variety of operational responsibilities across the company’s different entities.
In 2015, Sprake made the natural move to Enness, where her career evolved further. As she grew into her role, her interest in risk management, corporate governance, financial crime and anti-money laundering deepened. This passion led to the opportunity to advance into her current career, where she balances the worlds of compliance and business, always with a focus on ensuring the safety and security of the company and its clients.
Outside of work, Sprake enjoys spending her free time travelling, staying active and embracing the outdoors – preferably in sunnier destinations, a nod to her Zimbabwean heritage. You can often find her with her AirPods in, deeply immersed in a true crime podcast. Her roots in performing arts remain a strong part of her identity, and she makes a point to visit the theatre and attend music concerts with friends and family whenever possible. Always seeking new challenges, Sprake has recently taken up the art of sourdough bread baking. Though it’s been a challenging endeavour, she’s thoroughly enjoying the process and the rewarding results.
64 North Row, London, W1K 7DA
0203 7589 393
kate.cowan@hope-capital.co.uk
linkedin.com/in/lindsey-sprake-65987478
ennessglobal.com
Lindsey Sprake
Director of Compliance and Risk
Enness Global
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Milestones
“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
2015–2016
2016–2018
2018–2021
2021–2023
Present
2015–2016: Mortgage Administrator/PA to Directors
2016: Senior Paraplanner
2015–
2016
Operations Manager
2016–
2018
Head of Operations
2018–
2021
Head of Compliance
2021–
2023
Director of Compliance and Risk since 2023
Present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
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