Profile
“Being true to who we are is key; we are purely a referral-based business. There is zero marketing or advertising”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
Serene Davis is the global head of cyber at QBE Insurance, where she leads the development and execution of a unified cyber strategy across the organization. In this role, she collaborates with QBE’s divisional cyber underwriting leaders to shape risk assessment, pricing, claims, product offerings, and marketing strategies. Based in Southern California, she is ultimately responsible for the global performance and growth of QBE’s cyber business.
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Davis brings deep expertise in cyber risk, as well as proven leadership skills. She joined QBE in 2023 after a successful tenure at Beazley, where she served as regional manager for the west and head of the Los Angeles office. During her time at Beazley, she played a key role in the company’s cyber risks global strategy group, ensuring global alignment and driving collaboration across the business. Prior to Beazley, Davis spent time at AIG and Federated Insurance, further honing her expertise and expanding her industry knowledge.
155 Water St. New York, NY 10041
949 471 5077
serene.davis@qbe.com
linkedin.com/in/serene-davis-36a727196
qbe.com/us
Serene Davis
Global Head of Cyber
QBE Insurance
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
2006–2023
2022–2023
2023–present
2020
2024
Southwest/South Central Regional Manager, US Cyber & Tech at Beazley
2006–
2023
Regional Manager, West Region, US Cyber & Tech at Beazley
2022–
2023
Global Head of Cyber at QBE Insurance
2023–
present
Sold Landmark E&S to Jencap, marking a pivotal moment in his career – and the rest, as they say, is history
2020
Appointed as Brown & Riding's Executive Director of Specialty
2024
Milestones
Milestones
ELITE WOMEN 2024 JUDGE
“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day,” he says.
While at the helm of a rapidly growing business and a family that includes two young children at home, Rakowski has learned to manage what he calls a “never-ending list of commitments” that consists of a new team member each month, a new interstate office and two to three new referral partners monthly.
“Our business is a human business, so investing genuine time in every person can be draining on a personal level. Balancing it all is a challenge,” he says. “Simply put, do what you say you will do, and act at all times with honesty and integrity, being respectful and empathetic. The financial outcomes are a byproduct of the human interactions we have.”
Attracting, retaining and delivering exceptional client outcomes and service starts with a sincere interest in their journey and remaining relevant to them as their lives and needs evolve, notes Rakowski. He points out that he and his team put in most of the work upfront in building meaningful relationships, which is a testament to its 99% client retention rate.
He says, “We are clear in the types of clients we work best with and our value proposition. We also look for a cultural alignment with all of our referral partners, and we are acutely aware of our strengths and how different we are from our industry peers.”
Rakowski recently opened a Queensland business and plans a foot in every other capital city. He strives to establish the brokerage as a national business with on-the-ground representation in every state by the end of 2025.