Spotlight on…is an initiative of WICI (Women in Credit Insurance) aiming at highlighting females and male allies working in the Trade Credit Insurance business. Every month, a new interview article will be published on ICISA website.
This month in the spotlight is Martina Montgomery, Branch Director at Aon. She has been with Aon for 9 years and started out in Credit Insurance after university.
What do you do to ensure that you continue to grow and develop as a leader?
For me, growth as a leader comes from staying curious and staying connected. I make it a point to listen, to clients, colleagues, and the broader industry because there’s always something to learn from different perspectives. I’m also a strong believer in continuous learning through mentorship, professional development, and staying abreast of changes in both the insurance sector and business leadership more broadly. Leadership isn’t static, and to stay relevant, we have to evolve with purpose.
What is your favourite part of your job?
The people. Whether it’s mentoring my team, supporting clients, or collaborating with other leaders, I genuinely enjoy building strong relationships. I also thrive on helping clients navigate challenges. It’s incredibly rewarding to work through complexities and deliver solutions that make a tangible difference to their business. No two days are ever the same, and that variety keeps me energised.
What is the best advice you would give to an aspiring leader?
Lead from your values and be authentic. People respect leaders who are genuine and honest. Do not be afraid to ask for help or admit when you do not know something. Leadership is about growth, not perfection. Embrace challenges, celebrate successes, and have fun along the way.
What are the biggest challenges facing our industry?
Our industry faces economic uncertainty and rapid digital transformation, requiring us to be agile, innovative, and proactive in managing risks and delivering value to clients.
Investing in new skills, nurturing talent and creating a strong community for networking and growth is important and will help us to stay competitive in this evolving landscape.
What helps you to unwind or de-stress?
Being outdoors helps me recharge, whether it is a walk in the park or a run. I love learning new languages and am working on improving my Spanish which I am looking forward to practicing on my next holiday. These activities help me maintain a healthy life balance.
Who would you like to be for a day?
Dame Mary Berry. She inspires people to learn and have fun with cooking and her warmth and teaching style make it enjoyable. Spending a day in her shoes would be both fun and inspiring and would no doubt involve cake!
