081: Four Words That Will Change Your Career with Lesley Charteris
Summary
In this episode, Sandra speaks with Lesley Charteris, about why it’s never too late to start again, how to overcome fear, and the four words that can change the direction of your career: I can do it.
Lesley shares her journey from industrial chemistry to 40 years in the London insurance market, before retraining in her 50s to specialise in cybersecurity. She talks about recognising your strengths, valuing experience over qualifications, and the importance of lifelong learning.
She also opens up about navigating gender bias, the misconceptions around AI, and why creating a no-blame culture is essential for building cyber resilience. Her message is clear: “if you can read a book, you can do anything”, and if you put your hand up, opportunities will follow.
Takeaways
You don’t need to have it all figured out; career transitions can happen at any stage
Continuous learning is the key to staying relevant
Attitude and curiosity matter more than credentials
Don’t fear being the only woman in the room, our perspective is powerful
Self-advocacy and confidence create opportunities
Digital transformation in insurance requires cultural change as much as technology
Cybersecurity isn’t new; it’s about people as much as systems
A no-blame culture encourages learning and reporting mistakes
If you think you can’t do it, think again
About the guest
Connect with Lesley Charteris on LinkedIn
About the host
Connect with Sandra Lewin on LinkedIn
Sign up to ‘Coffee with Sandra’ newsletter to stay up to date on all 100 Women In Insurance and more.
Join ‘The Pink Book’ Collective, private LinkedIn Group connecting women in insurance to find mentors, speaking opportunities and much more.
Learn more about the 100 Women in Insurance Collective: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective
