Faces of DUAL: Meet Lucy Wimshurst

Welcome back to Faces of DUAL where we're spotlighting the Associate Director of Business development at magenta, who are part of DUAL and provide specialist property insurance solutions

Lucy Wimshurst takes us on a tour of Bury St Edmonds, the home to magenta, and discusses what becoming part of DUAL means for their broker partners.

Hi, I'm Lucy Wimshurst, Associate Director of Business Development at magenta Insurance.

My role is primarily focused on driving growth for magenta. To achieve that, I work closely with brokers, ensuring they have the support they need to succeed, identifying new opportunities, and deepening the relationships we already have. 

Internally, I collaborate with the management team to align our commercial goals with broker needs, making sure our strategy and support go hand in hand.

Tell us a little about your career path…

I've worked in insurance for over 20 years. Before joining magenta, I spent time in both broking and underwriting, which gave me a well-rounded view of the industry and a solid foundation to build on. That experience definitely helps me understand what brokers need. 

One common misconception about insurance is that it's dull, old-fashioned, and a bit boring. It's honestly anything but that. It's fast-paced, dynamic, and constantly evolving. It's shaped by data, regulation, global events, and customer behaviour. No two days are ever the same, whether it's assessing a new risk, building a new relationship, or thinking outside the box. That’s what makes the industry exciting.

What does magenta’s acquisition mean for brokers?

The acquisition marks a significant step forward. Not just for magenta, but for our broker partners too. Joining forces with DUAL gives brokers access to greater underwriting capabilities, a broader network of resources, and the backing of a global brand. 

As we grow, we’re committed to retaining what makes magenta special: our personal touch and underwriting flexibility. We're making sure our brokers feel the benefits of this transition. 
It’s a really exciting time to be part of the journey.

What excites you about working at magenta?

Honestly, no two days are the same and that’s what makes working at magenta Insurance so exciting. 
We’re agile enough to stay small, but big enough to make a real impact. That means I get to be involved in everything from attending events and strategic development, to meetings with DUAL and Howden, and even a bit of underwriting now and then. 

Working with a team that’s genuinely passionate about what we do is the cherry on top, it makes every day better.

What are you and your team working on currently?

We’ve got lots of exciting plates spinning at magenta Insurance right now. 

We’re ramping up our broker engagement strategy via software houses with the launch of our magenta Specialist product. We’re also launching magenta Premier, a non-standard home insurance offering, again via software houses. 

Ultimately, it’s all about making brokers’ lives easier and giving them the tools they need to succeed. 
We’re collaborating with our new colleagues at DUAL to uncover new opportunities, allowing us to grow and evolve together. Most importantly, we’re not losing that magenta magic. It’s about enhancing what we already have, so we can continue offering the personal service and underwriting flexibility we’re known for.

Describe working at magenta in three words…

Curious, rewarding, empowering.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I love living in Bury St Edmunds, it’s absolutely beautiful and a safe place to raise two young boys. 
I’m really into fitness, and being a mum to two young boys is a cardio session in itself, plus a masterclass in high-level negotiation! If you’ve ever tried reasoning with a toddler before your morning coffee, you’ll know exactly what I mean. 

One of my biggest achievements outside of work was completing a 100km charity walk in under 30 hours, with no sleep. Equal parts exhausting, slightly mad, but definitely worthwhile. Experiences like that keep me grounded and give me fresh perspective. I believe that with the right mindset (and the right snacks) you can do pretty much anything.

Stay tuned for more stories in the Faces of DUAL series!