In this episode of Beyond the Desk, Mark Thomas sits down with Carys Lawton-Bryce, Chief Operations Officer at Markel International, to explore her unconventional journey into executive leadership.

From growing up in South Africa to leading large-scale operational transformation across one of the insurance industry's leading organisations, Karis shares how curiosity, calculated risk-taking and a commitment to continuous learning shaped her career.

They discuss why leadership isn't about having all the answers, how AI is transforming insurance operations, and the qualities that separate great COOs from good ones.

Whether you're aspiring to senior leadership, navigating career decisions, or interested in the future of operations and AI, this episode is packed with practical insights.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why the best careers rarely follow a straight line.
• How stepping outside your comfort zone accelerates growth.
• The lessons Karis learned managing teams outside her technical expertise.
• Why adding value matters more than chasing job titles.
• How AI is changing the role of the modern COO.
• Why Markel rolled out Microsoft Copilot across its workforce.
• The balance between strategic thinking and operational execution.
• The leadership qualities Karis believes every executive should develop.
• Practical advice for anyone aspiring to a C-suite role.

Key Takeaways

Take opportunities that help you learn even if they don't make perfect sense on paper.

Great leaders don't need all the technical answers; they need to ask the right questions.

AI should empower people, not replace them.

Career progression isn't about climbing a ladder it's about building experience.

Humility, curiosity and a willingness to get your hands dirty remain some of the most valuable leadership traits.