Introducing Tom Johnstone

Passionate About People and Building Relationships

Tom Johnstone is settling into his new role at Covéa with the same enthusiasm he brings to everything in life - whether it's cheering on Leeds United, tackling DIY projects, or building strong relationships in the insurance world.

Tom’s had a busy year. He and his girlfriend, Lucy, have just moved into their first home together - a place that needed a serious renovation. "It was a complete fixer-upper," Tom explains. "We’ve done it all ourselves, so it’s been a tough year with lots of DIY, but now we’re finally getting used to the new place."

When he’s not working on the house, Tom’s all about sport. As a die-hard Leeds United fan with a season ticket, he never misses a chance to watch his team play on the weekends. Apart from football, he enjoys watching films and catching up with mates, making the most of his weekends.

Tom’s career journey started straight after college. Instead of going to university, he jumped straight into work, starting with a short stint at Marks and Spencer’s in a stock control role. but it wasn’t long before he found his true calling in the insurance sector. Joining Covéa as a claims handler, Tom quickly discovered a passion for supporting customers in their times of need, which guided his progression to a team leader role.

Towards the end of his time in claims, Tom’s role involved managing external relationships, which he loved. This experience naturally led him to a role in distribution, which he started in March 2023. In distribution, he gained a rounded view of what the team does, from the technical side, trading side, and broker development. His true passion's lied with working with partners in a business development role and driving mutual benefit for Covéa and our partners.

What are your goals in your first year?

Tom has clear goals for his first year in the role. "I want to make an impact straight away by building new relationships and strengthening the great ones we already have," he says. His focus is on helping Covéa and our brokers grow profitably by showing the market what we’re all about and that "We’re open for business”.

What sets Covéa apart from the competition?

For Tom, it’s all about simplicity and putting brokers at the centre of everything we do. "We’ve got a clear, straightforward strategy and a real desire to engage with our partners" he says. “Whether it’s through networking events or broker breakfasts with topical discussions, Covéa is all about staying connected and having a bit of fun along the way".

What challenges do you see in the Insurance Industry?

Tom sees some big challenges ahead in the insurance industry, especially when it comes to customer retention in such a competitive market. Then there’s market turbulence "Our commitment to a simple go forward strategy and sharp focus on intermediated business across our 5 key products means were equipped to deal with the associated ripple effects of turbulence in the market."

‘’Climate change is another leading challenge, and we’ve quickly adapted to erratic storm trends over the last few years to ensure we continue to be there to put things right for customers in their time of need. It’s imperative that we keep laser focus on the emerging trends of climate change and continue to adapt, with customers at the heart of what we do.’’

What makes a successful distribution team?

For Tom, the key to success in distribution is open and honest communication, both within the team and with partners. "Being clear about our strategy and objectives is crucial," he says. "And we’re passionate about what we do. We enjoy spending time together as a team and with our partners. Plus, having a bit of fun along the way is massive."

As Tom dives into his new role, his mix of experience, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for building relationships is set to make a big impact at Covéa. With his eyes firmly on helping us grow profitably and thrive, whilst building strong relationships with our partners, Tom is sure to keep the momentum going in the months to come.