Guy Mills

Guy Mills is the managing director of insurance firm Gallagher.

IN ONE SENTENCE, WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE INVOLVE?

I am responsible for ensuring our teams meet the needs of their clients and developing insurance and risk management propositions that can support businesses to withstand the challenges they face.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN YOUR CURRENT JOB?

I have been with Gallagher, which was also previously Giles Insurance, for nearly 20 years.

PLEASE GIVE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER TO DATE

In 2006 I started my career as an account executive for Giles Insurance where I managed a portfolio of commercial clients. I was later promoted to assistant branch manager, responsible for a team of 16 account handlers and executives. During this time, Giles Insurance became Gallagher after it was acquired in 2013. My role then developed as we continued to acquire businesses which have helped our Birmingham team to grow to more than 80 people. Many of the original Giles team are still here.

DID FURTHER/HIGHER EDUCATION SET YOU UP WELL FOR YOUR PARTICULAR VOCATION?

I left school with A-Levels and after a brief spell at university, I decided to go into the workplace. Having completed some professional qualifications ‘on the job’ early on, I subsequently invested a lot of time in developing my leadership skills through my career. The insurance industry is a great place to study and earn qualifications as you work, meaning it can help young people kick-start their careers.

HAS THE FALLOUT FROM THE PANDEMIC PRESENTED ANY OPPORTUNITIES?

The pandemic created an undoubtable shift in the way most businesses work. At Gallagher we adopted a hybrid working model and provide colleagues with the flexibility to work remotely. Having a more flexible approach means we have access to a wider talent pool, given geographical location is less of a barrier, and we can attract a more diverse workforce overall.

CAN ONLINE MEETINGS SUCCESFULLY TAKE THE PLACE OF FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT?

Online meetings offer a convenient way for our colleagues to communicate with each other when they aren’t in the office. Whether or not they can totally replace face-to-face meetings depends largely on the type of business, how many people it has and the industry it works in. Video calls certainly serve a purpose, but nothing beats the opportunity to meet in person.

HOW DO YOU GET THE BEST OUT OF YOUR STAFF?

I think it’s extremely important to keep staff engaged by giving them a motivational goal to work towards, communicate a lot and treat them all with fairness and respect.

HOW MANY EMAILS DO YOU TEND TO GET IN A DAY, AND HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE TO READ THEM?

On an average day I receive over 100 emails – there is never enough time to read them! However, I ensure to prioritise the critical ones so that they are dealt with and often delegate them to relevant members of the team.  

HOW DO YOU HOPE YOUR COLLEAGUES WOULD DESCRIBE YOU?

I would like to think that my team find me honest, approachable and supportive.

HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

A highlight has definitely been the establishment of a cyber risk management practice in Birmingham – it has come along in leaps and bounds. It’s gone from one person to a team of 25 in four years and now works globally.

ANY PARTICULAR FAUX PAS OR EMBARRASSING MOMENTS IN YOUR CAREER YOU WOULD PREFER TO FORGET?

Plenty! One that always springs to mind was early in my client management career when I took my largest client out for lunch at an Italian restaurant. Fresh off the back of a successful meeting I thought I would celebrate with a lobster linguini. It came with half a lobster shell on the plate which still appeared to have some meat in it. I tried to dig it out and eat it, not wanting to waste it. Only after did I discover that it was just a decoration. The meat was in the sauce. The client was polite enough not to mention it.

PET HATES?

I don’t appreciate rudeness. We are all busy people, a little bit of courtesy doesn’t cost anything and goes a long way. Another is overly long emails, unless there is a need, I find it best to get to the point quickly.

IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF SOME WISE ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Be more confident and don’t worry about making mistakes. Just learn from them.

HOW DO YOU RELAX AWAY FROM WORK?

I love to be outside. I have two dogs which get me out often – taking adventures with them and my family in our camper van is my favourite way to relax.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS SPECIAL ABOUT THE BIRMINGHAM BUSINESS COMMUNITY?

Birmingham’s local economy is made up of a broad spectrum of industries, with its manufacturing and construction communities being considerably large. There is a pride based on centuries of commercial activity, and the diverse backgrounds that it includes brings vibrancy to the business community. 

TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY WOULDN’T KNOW.

I speak Spanish to a reasonable level, but I don’t get to use it as often as I’d like.

YOU CAN TAKE ONE BOOK, ONE FILM AND ONE CD ONTO A DESERT ISLAND – WHAT WOULD THEY BE?

The book would need to be a useful one, so something about bush skills and survival. I have always loved the cult film Withnail and I – I could watch that over and over. The CD would be Queen, Sheer Heart Attack.

YOUR FIVE DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS, DEAD OR ALIVE?

Super tricky – it needs to be a fun party as well as people I admire and would want to know better: Robin Williams, Dave Grohl, Michelle Obama, Chris Bonnington and Jacinda Ardern.

WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO EAT FOR YOUR LAST SUPPER?

A dirty fry up – all the trimmings (with a pint of Guinness)!