Sue and son Rhys at his 18th birthday party last year.

After 31 years in insurance and reinsurance, Assetinsure's national manager, claims, Sue Vidler is ready to invest in the next generation.

"I've worked with mentors throughout my career who have helped develop my passion for insurance. The industry has been very good to me. That's one reason I like to be involved on industry committees - I want to give back."

Ms Vidler became an AILA national board member last October after AILA president David Lee nominated her for the role. "David wants to diversify the board so more insurance industry professionals are involved," she said.

Ms Vidler was a NSW committee member for three years before joining the national board. "Before I started working at a national level, I was on the organising committee for AILA's 2013 national conference in Sydney."   

She currently serves on the board’s newly formed marketing sub-committee, which develops strategies to better promote the association and increase membership. Ms Vidler said being involved on the sub-committee was "exciting" because AILA was "on the brink of taking the association to the next level".

"We are looking at ways of appealing to younger professionals through a range of digital media alternatives." The board is investigating how new media, like Facebook and Twitter, can be used to reach and educate the next generation.           

Ms Vidler joined AILA in 2003 after shifting from reinsurance into claims. During that transition, AILA was vital in better educating her about claims. "AILA is one of the few organisations that focuses specifically on educating about claims, especially through seminars, workshops and national conferences."

She began working in reinsurance in 1982, and, like many in the insurance industry, it was an unplanned career move. "I didn't have a plan; insurance found me." Ms Vidler took a gap year after finishing school and applied for a job at a reinsurer because the position required no experience and offered full training. "It turned into a 31-year gap year," she joked. Ms Vidler undertook insurance-related studies with ANZIIF and obtained her fellowship in 1999.

She spent the next 18 years in various roles in reinsurance, including inwards reinsurance underwriting, reinsurance buying, portfolio management and administration. Ms Vidler worked for various companies, including Manufacturers Mutual Insurance (now Allianz) and NRMA Insurance (now IAG). She took 18 months off in 1993 to live in the UK and have her son, Rhys, who turns 19 this year.

Ms Vidler shifted into workers' compensation in 2001 and was QBE's national accounts manager for two years. She joined Assetinsure in November 2003. "I initially started at Assetinsure doing contract work, and was lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to stay permanently. I started working in claims in 2004, and took over as national manager – claims in 2008."

Ms Vidler said working in claims was "energising" because she was challenged by her role and every day was different. While reinsurance was working at a holistic level, claims involved constant decision making at what some people refer to as the "pointy end of the industry". "Underwriters’ reputations depend on their claims service," she said.

Ms Vidler is an avid snow skier and a devoted Sydney Swans AFL supporter. She used to run 10km daily, but joked that her "aging body can't take it anymore". She now does spin cycling and weight lifting at the gym instead.

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