After more than 20 years in insurance, Nabeela Qureshi thought she knew exactly where her career was heading. Then redundancy changed everything. Today, Nabeela is the owner of Coversure Watford, building her own insurance brokerage with the support of the Coversure network.
For experienced insurance professionals considering whether to start their own brokerage, Nabeela’s journey offers valuable insights into what’s possible when expertise is combined with the right support network.
A career built on insurance expertise
Like many insurance professionals, Nabeela didn’t set out with a lifelong ambition to work in insurance.
She joined a brokerage in St Albans over 20 years ago, initially viewing the role as simply an office-based job. However, she quickly discovered an industry filled with variety, learning opportunities and long-term career prospects.
Insurance is one of those industries that many people fall into rather than actively choose, but once you’re in it, it’s very difficult to leave!
Nabeela Qureshi, Managing Director at Coversure Watford
Working alongside an experienced mentor helped her develop deep expertise in SME and property insurance, laying the foundations for the next stage of her career.
Turning an unexpected setback into an opportunity
After two decades with the same brokerage, Nabeela was made redundant in May 2025 when the business entered administration. While initially a shock, the experience created an opportunity to rethink her future.
After a short period working as a consultant for another brokerage, she attended Broker Expo where she met Coversure’s Emma van Vliet and Jordan Maskell for the first time. At the time, she was simply exploring the market and learning more about the opportunities available within insurance.
A few months later, while browsing LinkedIn and applying for employed roles, Nabeela came across an advert from Coversure asking whether experienced professionals had considered becoming insurance brokers. Curious, she clicked through and registered her interest.
“When I started looking at what was possible, I realised I could shape my own future rather than continue building someone else’s business.”
When Emma called her shortly afterwards, there was an immediate sense of familiarity.
“Were you at Broker Expo?” Nabeela recalls asking. “When Emma said yes, I remembered meeting her and Jordan at the Coversure stand. Straight away, they weren’t just names on an email or people from a company – they were people I’d already met.”
That prior connection made a lasting impression. Instead of starting conversations with complete strangers, Nabeela was speaking to people she already knew. The familiarity helped her feel comfortable throughout the process and reinforced her belief that Coversure was a business built on genuine relationships rather than transactions.
Meeting Emma and Jordan previously made a real difference. They felt like real people, not just representatives of an organisation. That gave me confidence from the very beginning.
Nabeela Qureshi, Managing Director at Coversure Watford
Why Coversure stood out
As an experienced broker entering business ownership for the first time, Nabeela wanted more than insurer access alone.
She was looking for:
- Access to a broad insurer panel
- Compliance and regulatory support
- Business development guidance
- Marketing assistance
- Leading technology and systems
- The freedom to build her own business
Coversure offered the ideal balance for Nabeela. The network’s reputation, insurer relationships and commitment to broker success gave her confidence that she could launch with the infrastructure needed to succeed from day one.
“As a new brokerage, I wanted independence, but I also recognised the value of having an experienced network behind me.”
A supportive onboarding experience
Starting a brokerage independently can seem daunting. From FCA applications and compliance requirements to insurer negotiations, technology and marketing, many experienced brokers are unsure where to begin.
For Nabeela, the Coversure onboarding process removed much of that uncertainty.
With support from the onboarding, marketing, agency and network development teams – especially Charlotte Sainsbury, Frankie Tabor and Steve Hill – she was able to focus on building her business instead of navigating complex administrative processes alone.
“If I had tried to open a brokerage entirely on my own, I’d probably still be filling out forms now.”
What impressed her most wasn’t just the professionalism of the process but the people behind it: “They didn’t just want to understand the business. They wanted to get to know me as a person.”
That combination of expertise and genuine support helped her feel like part of the Coversure family from the very beginning.
The power of community
Alongside launching her brokerage, Nabeela is heavily involved in fundraising for the Watford Muslim Youth Centre, helping create opportunities and support for young people within her local community.
Those community values play a major role in her approach to insurance. Trust, integrity, communication and long-term relationships are at the centre of everything she does.
“I believe clients should be treated as individuals, not transactions.”
The same sense of community is something she has found within the Coversure network.
Although she operates independently, she never feels alone. Through development days, networking events and relationships with fellow brokers, she has access to a wider network of expertise whenever she needs it.
“It’s like having colleagues without being in an office. There’s always somebody willing to help.”
Women in insurance: Breaking stereotypes
As a woman launching her own insurance brokerage, Nabeela has been encouraged by the diversity she has seen across Coversure and the wider Jensten Group.
She was particularly impressed by the number of talented women and young professionals working across the business.
“Seeing inspiring women in key roles, bringing fresh ideas and energy into the industry, was incredibly refreshing.”
Success isn’t determined by background, gender or traditional career paths. It’s determined by ambition, commitment and having the right support around you.
Insurance can sometimes be viewed as a very traditional industry, but Coversure completely changed that perception for me.
Nabeela Qureshi, Managing Director at Coversure Watford
What advice would you give experienced brokers thinking about joining a network?
After spending more than two decades employed by the same brokerage, starting her own business felt like a significant risk to Nabeela. However, being part of a network transformed what initially felt daunting into something achievable.
“My advice is simple: take the leap of faith. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made.”
She believes many experienced brokers underestimate how much knowledge and expertise they’ve already built during their careers. The challenge isn’t usually insurance knowledge; it’s having the infrastructure, insurer relationships, systems and support needed to launch successfully.
“What makes the difference is knowing you have people behind you. You’re still building your own business, but you’re not building it alone.”
Nabeela also highlights something often overlooked when evaluating network options: culture.
“The professionalism is fantastic, but what really stood out was the people. Everyone is knowledgeable, supportive and genuinely wants you to succeed.”
Don’t let uncertainty hold you back. With the right network behind you, you can retain your independence, build an asset for your future and create a business that reflects your own vision and values. I have no regrets. I’ve gained support, opportunities and relationships that will help me grow for years to come.
Nabeela Qureshi, Managing Director at Coversure Watford
Thinking about starting your own insurance brokerage?
Whether you’re an experienced insurance professional looking for greater independence, planning your next career move, or exploring how to open an insurance brokerage, Coversure can help you build your own business with the backing of an established and supportive network.
Find out how Coversure helps brokers launch and grow successful insurance businesses by contacting our Network Development team today.
