Inside the Auditorium

Episode 10: Valeria Locatelli, Chief Internal Auditor

In the final episode of Season 3 of Inside the Auditorium, I speak to Valeria Locatelli, Chief Internal Auditor at Pension Insurance Corporation, as she shares her career journey from external audit to the insurance sector. Valeria emphasises the significance of work-life balance, community engagement, and the role of neuroscience in leadership. She also highlights the necessity of soft skills and technology in auditing, offering valuable insights for aspiring leaders in the industry.  This episode explores:   * Leadership is personal: “You won’t become the exact leader you admire—but you can build your own style.” Valeria shares how studying great leaders and asking honest questions has helped shape her own approach, built on empathy, openness, and adaptability.  * Neuroscience, psychology and self-awareness: Alongside her audit work, Valeria is studying applied neuroscience and psychology. She explains how understanding the brain has made her a better leader and auditor. From self-reflection to emotional awareness, neuroscience has given her the tools to lead and connect more meaningfully.  * Skillsets for the future: Valeria outlines three areas all auditors should be focusing on. Technical depth, clear qualification pathways aligned to future goals. Soft skills, ranging from storytelling to conflict management, are critical in influencing others. Finally, Strategic foresight, keeping pace with regulation, risk, and relevance in a fast-changing world.  * Balance, recognition and the bigger picture: Valeria reflects on winning the Mary Lou Carrington Award and being named a finalist in the Women in GRC Awards. She credits the power of a connected portfolio, where governance roles, audit experience, and a passion for education intersect.  * Why audit teams are growing in insurance: The insurance industry is changing fast, and audit is evolving with it. Valeria explains how growing risks, shifting regulations, and organisational scale all shape the size and shape of audit functions. But what matters most, she says, is value: “It’s not just about coverage. It’s about insight, relevance, and enabling the business.”  Don’t miss this inspiring episode for anyone looking to lead with purpose in internal audit.  Note: The views expressed by Valeria are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her employer.

Episode 9: Yasemin Dogu, Chief Auditor, UK & International

In this episode of Inside the Auditorium, I speak to Yasemin Dogu, chief auditor, UK & International at RSA, as she shares her journey navigating a high-impact internal audit career across the global insurance sector. With deep experience, and a sharp eye on innovation, Yasemin unpacks what it means to lead with integrity and adaptability in today’s evolving landscape.  This episode explores:   * Leading through complexity: Yasemin shares how internal audit leaders are having to move faster than ever to keep up with the pace of innovation—especially around AI and GenAI. With her North American counterparts already piloting tools in live audits, she talks about how the RSA team is learning, scaling, and staying agile to bring real value to the business.  * Closing the skills gap: With a relatively lean team, RSA tackles complex topics like climate and ESG without in-house specialists for every risk. The answer? Tapping internal and external expertise, building centres of excellence, and enabling global auditors to share capabilities across borders—all while preserving audit independence.  * Communication is everything: Audit success hinges on communication and stakeholder engagement. From setting clear expectations to asking the tough questions, she explains why honesty, clarity, and integrity must run through the entire audit lifecycle—and how failure to communicate well can have a domino effect on everything from quality to timelines.  * Rebuilding the value of on-the-ground auditing: In an era of hybrid work, Yasemin shares why auditing remotely can feel transactional—and why showing up, walking the floor, and seeing how people actually work is key to understanding culture, pressure, and operational risk.  * Motherhood in the C-suite: Yasemin offers a candid, inspiring look at how she balances motherhood with executive leadership, emphasising the importance of prioritisation, time-boxing, and being fully present wherever you are.  * Embedding ESG, not just auditing it: Yasemin describes how RSA has been auditing climate risk for over five years—and why climate is now a question in every audit they do. From travel policy to underwriting, ESG is now baked into risk thinking, and she explains how they’re keeping up with regulatory shifts while challenging the business to do the same.  Don’t miss this episode if you want a real-world view into how internal audit is adapting to disruption—and how leaders like Yasemin are building bold, capable teams to meet the challenge.  Note: The views expressed by Yasemin are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her employer.

Episode 8: Toby Whinnett, Managing Director, Financial Crime Internal Audit

In this episode of Inside the Auditorium Podcast, Toby Whinnett, Managing Director, Financial Crime Internal Audit at Barclays, discusses his career in economic crime and internal audit, emphasising the importance of understanding financial crime, the role of internal audit in mitigating risks, and the evolving landscape of technology and regulations. With a deep understanding of the ever-changing regulatory landscape, Toby shares critical insights for internal auditors working across risk, compliance, and governance.  In this episode, we explore:   * Why conduct is top of the agenda: Toby explores how poor conduct impacts customers, reputation, and the bottom line—especially when third parties and operational failures come into play. For auditors, the message is clear: focus on outcomes, not just controls.  * Economic crime and its growing impact: Learn how economic crime is now seen as a national security and financial stability threat—and why internal audit is playing a growing role in helping organisations navigate fraud, corruption, and organised crime.  * How AI can transform FinCrime risk management: The volume of data in financial crime makes AI and machine learning indispensable. Toby explains how auditors can harness AI to test controls, enhance assurance, and stay one step ahead of rapidly evolving threats.  * Building trust with compliance and risk leaders: Toby shares how empathy, technical knowledge, and sound judgment are key to partnering with MLROs and compliance teams—and why it’s vital to understand the nuances between theoretical and practical risks.  * Thriving on change and continuous learning: Toby continues to work in internal audit because it allows him to make a meaningful impact—helping organisations navigate complex risks and stay accountable, while contributing to better outcomes for customers and society.  * Prioritising audit activity with real-world insight: How geopolitical developments, threat assessments, and on-the-ground intel shape audit planning—especially in high-risk areas like sanctions, cash handling, and regulatory change.  Whether you're leading audits or building frameworks, this episode dives deep into what it takes to future-proof your internal audit approach in the face of growing economic crime threats.  Note: The views expressed by Toby are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of his employer.

Episode 7: Stephen Licence, Group Chief Internal Auditor

In this episode of Inside the Auditorium Podcast, Stephen Licence, the Group Chief Internal Auditor at Legal and General Group, shares his extensive journey in the internal audit field, particularly within the insurance sector.  In this episode, we explore:   * Auditing across the insurance spectrum: Stephen shares how skills are transferable across different insurance disciplines—from Lloyd’s to reinsurance—and why auditors shouldn’t box themselves into one specialisation. The insurance world is vast, and internal audit offers a front-row seat to all of it.  * Consumer Duty and internal audit’s expanding role: The new Consumer Duty regulation isn’t just for banks—it's transforming how insurers think about value, fairness, and outcomes. Internal audit is now a key player in demonstrating compliance and protecting customer interests.  * Third and fourth party risk: Going beyond the enterprise: With increased outsourcing and interconnected operations, auditing now extends far beyond company walls. Stephen explains why internal audit must scrutinise third and even fourth-party relationships to ensure service continuity and data integrity.  * Auditing AI and emerging tech: As AI and data analytics become more prominent across insurance, internal audit must evolve too. Stephen discusses how his team is already embracing AI tools—and how audit can help ensure these technologies are deployed responsibly.  * Career advice for the next generation of auditors: Learning doesn’t stop with certifications. Stephen emphasises the importance of continuous development—especially soft skills like empathy and relationship-building, which are vital for success in internal audit.  If you’re working in -or curious about- internal audit in the insurance sector, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical takeaways.  Note: The views expressed by Stephen are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of his employer.

Episode 6: Zofia Bailey, Global Director, Internal Audit

In this episode of Inside the Auditorium Podcast, I chat to Zofia Bailey, Global Director of Internal Audit at EBRD. Zofia shares her journey from the legal field to internal audit and her passion for shaping the future of ESG auditing.  In this episode we explore:   * Auditing ESG in a changing landscape: As ESG risk management frameworks continue to evolve, auditors play a pivotal role in shaping and refining methodologies that are still maturing.  * Advice for young professionals entering internal audit: Zofia encourages young auditors to embrace diverse perspectives, bring their full selves to work, and celebrate alternative viewpoints.  * Adapting to regulatory change in ESG audits: Discover how Zofia’s legal background gives her a unique edge in interpreting rapidly changing regulations and evolving audit methodologies.  * Making internal audit attractive for non-audit professionals: Zofia highlights how internal audit can serve as a stepping stone to senior leadership, offering exposure to risk, governance, and control frameworks.  * Embracing non-traditional talent in internal audit: Why recruiting individuals from diverse professional backgrounds brings fresh perspectives and technical expertise that strengthen internal audit teams.  If you’re eager to explore how ESG and evolving skill sets that are shaping the future of internal audit, don’t miss this episode.  Note: The views expressed by Zofia are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her employer.