From frontline calls to frontline Cyber Security – Chris’ journey at Admiral

We recently caught up with Chris Locke, Cyber Security Product Manager, who’s been part of Admiral since 2011. We wanted to hear about his journey and what’s kept him here for over 14 years. Based in Cardiff, Chris shares his life with his wife Dale, and their two energetic sons. When he’s not working, Chris enjoys surfing, heavy metal music, and spending weekends at parks, rugby, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes. With a background as a Royal Air Force Cadet and volunteer instructor, Chris brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to both his professional and personal life.  

Where it all began

“I joined Admiral in 2011 in the Customer Service call centre, following a couple of other external call centre roles in South Wales. Spending 18 months on the frontline talking to our Motor customers, I learnt valuable things like delivering great service and staying calm whilst trying to solve problems. This role gave me great foundation knowledge of our products and departments that I still benefit from today!”

 From Complaints to Risk and now Cyber

“Following my time in Customer Service, I moved into Complaints in Motor where I stayed for the next seven years. Moving through the progression ladder from a handler to an Analyst, producing reports for senior leaders and our FCA reporting. I even got to be the subject matter expert on a redesign of our complaints flow way back in 2014."

"It was through my time in Complaints, working as the department Risk Officer that I really got interested in the risk and security side of the business.”

“In 2017 I became a Team Manager, looking after Audit, Admin, MI, Risk and creating a new Information Rights Team in response to GDPR that came in during 2018. At the time I was the Cyber Security representative for my area, which started my interest in Cyber. By 2019, my thirst for knowledge had grown through my experiences, so I thought the time had come to take the career leap  – taking a Guidewire Product Owner role within IT, growing my awareness on our tech and new agile ways of working.”

“Fast forward a few years and I’m now a Cyber Security Product Manager, which balances nicely my knowledge and experiences. The team and I are Product Owners and Change Lead’s who run Squads made of Security Consultants, Penetration Testers, Security Engineers and Vulnerability Management - We can support any cyber service change or project the business may need.

“I’ve had some exposure to almost every Cyber team and what they do, whilst also getting to the big picture of all technology change happening across the business.”

Admiral is a place Where You Can Be You

At Admiral, our employee value proposition, “Where You Can” is our promise to every colleague. It’s not just about learning a new buzzword or catchphrase, but a reflection of our culture: a place where you’re empowered to shape your own journey, whatever that looks like. Built on four key commitments Grow and Progress, Share in Our Future, Be You, and Make a Difference, Where You Can celebrates the unique talents, goals, and experiences of every individual. Here, you’re accepted, supported, and encouraged to thrive, with opportunities to learn, connect, and help shape Admiral’s future.

We asked Chris what the commitment ‘Be You’ meant to him.

“To me, it means wellbeing support, and the chance to become a Wellbeing Network Representative. This has had a great influence on both my own (and my department's) metal health.”

Open about managing anxiety, Chris credits Admiral’s Employee Assistance Programme for helping him stay on track.

For me, our EVP pillar ‘Grow and Progress’ means…

“My best progression tip is to take ownership of developing yourself, rather than waiting for anyone else to push you. Figure out what you want to do, start reading books from the Buy A Book scheme, get in LinkedIn Learning courses, and get out on Port of Calls (POC) in advance of any roles becoming available. Make yourself known to the department/people you think you want to work for in advance''

Last but not least

We asked Chris, “If you could host a dinner party with three guests (dead or alive, real or fictional), who would you invite and why?”

• “James Hetfield from Metallica (favourite band)
• R2D2 (favourite film)
• Grampy, because he was a legend"