This month, our Women in Pricing & Underwriting spotlight shines on Benafsha Postwala, one of our brilliant pricers who joined Direct Line last year and has already made a big impact, recently progressing to Senior Pricing Practitioner. Benafsha sat down with Alexandra Wiltshire, our Pricing & Underwriting Talent Acquisition Partner, to share her journey—from discovering a love for maths in school to building a career grounded in data, curiosity, and resilience. Her story is a great example of how passion and perseverance can open doors.

Q: How did you find your way into Pricing and Underwriting?

A: I had a lovely Maths teacher in Year 9 who made me fall in love with the subject. I then went on to study Electronics Engineering, and while I enjoyed the Maths and programming aspects, the rest didn’t quite tickle my fancy.

After an internship, I realised how much I loved working with data, which led me to pursue a Master’s in Data Science. I started my career in pricing at Aviva, then moved to Direct Line (now owned by Aviva), and the rest is history! I truly believe my foundation in Maths and experience in Data Science shaped my journey into Pricing.

Q: What surprised or challenged you the most in your journey?

A: Covid was full of surprises and curveballs for me. I was just finishing my Bachelor’s in Electronics back in India with a job lined up. Once lockdown started, my offer was rescinded, and I felt extremely lost, until I decided to pursue my Master’s in the UK.

That meant packing my life into two suitcases and moving continents. I remember waiting to board my flight and having a moment of panic as I realised my life was never going to be the same!

When I began my professional journey in Pricing, I was very curious and worried I might be bothering my colleagues with all my questions. But what surprised me was the feedback from my manager, who said I came across as enthusiastic and inquisitive—qualities that others in the business appreciated. My biggest takeaway from that experience is to always embrace my natural curiosity!

Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?

A: Absorb any knowledge you can get your hands on! Life is all about continuous learning and adapting to shifting landscapes. In school, learning often feels like an obligation, but maintaining that thirst for knowledge as you progress through your career is incredibly rewarding. It keeps things interesting and helps you prepare for whatever the future holds.

Q: How has your experience been at Direct Line, and what does the future look like?

A: Direct Line has been fantastic! I truly feel like I can be myself here without judgment and feel extremely supported by my peers and manager, Matthew Foster. My favourite part is how everyone’s efforts are consistently recognised—there are so many avenues for appreciation, and I absolutely love reading the comments celebrating the great work my colleagues do.

There are also plenty of opportunities to grow professionally. After being promoted to Senior Pricing Practitioner, I felt genuinely valued and recognised for my efforts, with a clear path for further development.

As for what’s next, I want to continue growing in my role—there’s still so much to learn. It’s also an exciting time at Direct Line following the Aviva acquisition, and I’m looking forward to seeing more collaboration between the two organisations and being part of that journey.

✨ Inspired by Benafsha Postwala’s journey? If you’re interested in making your next Pricing & Underwriting career move, take a look at the exciting opportunities we have here at Direct Line 👉 Pricing & Underwriting Careers