Introducing Lauren Hayden – Trainee Underwriter, Ireland
Westcor is pleased to welcome Lauren Hayden to the team as a Trainee Underwriter, based in Ireland.
A 2025 Maynooth College law graduate, Lauren’s route into underwriting was not an obvious one. While traditional legal career paths were actively encouraged during her studies, none quite reflected the aspects of law that interested her most. Instead, she took time to reflect on where her strengths and interests genuinely lay, particularly in commercial and property law, and began exploring roles that would allow her to apply legal thinking in a more commercial, problem-solving environment.
Alongside her studies, Lauren interned with the Association for Criminal Justice Research and Development (ACJRD), an experience that enhanced her understanding of the practical impact of legal frameworks and reinforced her interest in working within complex, real-world contexts. Following graduation, she was invited back to the organisation to support a temporary vacancy, an endorsement of both her capability and professionalism at an early stage in her career.
For Lauren, the trainee underwriting role at Westcor immediately stood out. The commercial nature of the business and working closely with the UK team aligned strongly with her academic interests, while the prospect of underwriting offered something entirely new.
“Underwriting and insurance weren’t obvious choices for me at the start,” she reflects. “But the more I learned about the role, the more it felt like a natural fit. It draws on legal reasoning, commercial awareness, and judgement, but in a way that’s collaborative and forward-looking.”
That sense of alignment was reinforced during the interview process, where Lauren was struck by the warmth and openness of the Irish team. The entrepreneurial nature of the company, combined with the opportunity to learn directly from experienced underwriters, solicitors and mentors, made Westcor feel like the ideal place to begin her professional career.
“It’s amazing to be able to take that next step so soon after graduating,” she says. “Four years ago, I didn’t have a clear picture of where I was heading. I was fortunate to have an advisor who encouraged me to explore law, and from there, everything started to take shape.”
At Westcor, Lauren is looking forward to developing core underwriting skills, building confidence in a professional setting, and gaining insight into what a long-term career in the industry can look like. Personal development is central to her focus, alongside growing her network within Ireland’s professional services sector.
Outside of work, Lauren is an avid reader and is currently training for a half-marathon, a challenge she has set herself as part of her personal fitness goals. We look forward to supporting both her professional and personal goals for the year ahead.
