Each month we turn the spotlight on the leadership teams in our portfolio to find out what drives them, who inspires them and the biggest lessons they’ve learnt.
This month, we’re delighted to welcome Avantia’s CEO, Mark Eastham.
Headquartered in New Malden, Avantia is a high growth, direct to consumer insurance business. It uses its world class decisioning platform and AI to maintain the most effective online quotability of any household insurer in the UK, able to quote 97% of UK customers online. Mark has been CEO since 2015 where he has been the driving force behind consistently strong organic growth.
Q: Which one rule do you expect your employees to abide by?
I always expect the whole team to take accountability. It’s essential for fostering trust and ensuring we can own both our successes and our challenges.
Q: What motivates you?
I’m really driven by the challenge of taking on incumbents and disrupting established markets. There’s something incredibly rewarding about competing against bigger players and finding innovative ways to outperform them.
Q: What are you most proud of in your career?
It’s definitely been growing Avantia sustainably and ensuring that success is built on solid, long-term foundations. For me, it’s about creating something that will last, while still adapting to changing market demands.
Q: Who do you admire / who inspires you?
Without a doubt, my parents have been my greatest source of inspiration throughout my life. They instilled in me values like hard work, integrity, and the importance of resilience, all of which have shaped the way I approach my career.
Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt?
I believe a good leader is someone who asks the right questions rather than always having the right answers. It’s through curiosity and challenging assumptions that you drive progress and empower your team to find solutions.
Q: What do you think makes a good leader?
For me, leadership is about inspiring and empowering others, while upholding the values and standards of the organisation.
Q: Why did you choose ECI?
I chose ECI because they are humble and have respect for management accountability, which I think is crucial for fostering strong relationships. At the same time, they challenge where appropriate and always push for continuous improvement, which I find invaluable.
Q: What do you do to relax?
Cycling is my go-to activity when I need to unwind and clear my head. There’s something about being on the road, that really helps me reset.
Q: Night in or night out?
I’d definitely choose a night out at my local pub with friends. I enjoy the chance to unwind in good company and find it’s the perfect way to relax and catch up.
Q: Favourite film?
Anything with a good car chase. Steve McQueen’s Bullit still sets the standard, but Ronin gives it a run for its money!
