Getting to Know: Beth Diamond

The Right Fit

Diamond says she feels lucky that the insurance industry found her. Seventeen years ago, she was in the final stages of being recruited by an investment bank when Beazley got hold of her resume. Though she had little insurance experience, Beazley was persistent and presented an entrepreneurial opportunity she found enticing, and she has been there ever since.

“My legal experience is invaluable in challenging the ‘conventional’ approach to litigation.”

Diamond, explaining how understanding the lifecycle of litigation helps her engage in areas like the initiation of resolution discussions and probing for summary judgment.

Takes One to Show One

Diamond’s previous legal experience has proven invaluable in engaging with outside counsel in positive ways. She recalls the unpleasantness of chasing clients for year-end receivables, so she reinforces the importance of creating partnerships with counsel, which includes timely processing of invoices. Her advice to outside counsel? “Ensure you provide privately the balanced advice expected from a counselor, while saving the advocacy for exchanges with the claimant, its counsel, and the court.”

“There is no easy answer to the challenges of nuclear verdicts and the spillover into settlement valuation.”

Diamond, explaining why social inflation is the biggest issue facing claims departments in 2022.

Advice to Herself

If Diamond could go back and give her younger self advice, she says it would be this: “Be the author of your own story. Others will try to fold you into their narratives to support their ambitions. When someone is threatened by your intelligence, confidence, and talent, they will lean hard on stereotypes to create negative perceptions.” 

“Spending time with my family and exploring places, people, and cultures through travel.”

Diamond, describing her priorities outside the office.