Staff Story – Meet Sebastian Simpson

A year in and already helping shape AMS Protego’s roadmap. From refactoring code to strengthening testing systems, Sebastian Simpson (Seb) has quietly made his mark. We caught up with him to talk about his first year, what’s kept him inspired, and the small things that make AMS feel like home. 

How long have you been at AMS? 

Just over a year now. I joined right at the end of September last year.

How’s it been going so far? 

Really good! There’s been a lot of variety at work, which I really enjoy. Every week feels a bit different. There’s always something new to pick up or improve. 

What were you doing before joining AMS? 

I was working at a company that builds government registries. Very technical work, but quite different from insurance. I like the new environment, new things to learn, and making an impact on people’s lives. 

Tell us about some of the projects you’ve been part of this year. 

Most of my work has been behind the scenes, improving processes, refactoring older code, and modernising things. One highlight was helping with the Chubb release. I’ve also focused on building automated testing, which helps reduce bugs and improve quality overall. I am very proud of that. 

What stood out most for you during your time at AMS? 

Definitely the flexibility and trust. If I need to step out for an appointment, I can make up the time later - it’s never an issue. That kind of culture makes a huge difference.  And the people. Everyone’s genuinely friendly and always up for a laugh. There’s a lot of good humour, and it keeps the place fun to work in. 

 “It’s a mix of variety, learning, and a genuinely friendly culture, that’s what keeps me here.” 

How would you describe the management style? 

Very light-touch - in a good way. My manager checks in, makes sure I have what I need, and then trusts me to get on with it. There’s no micromanagement. As long as the work gets done and I am satisfied with my professional goals.  

You didn’t come from an insurance background - how did you find your way to AMS? 

A friend referred me, actually. My previous company was going through a downturn, so I was looking for a new opportunity. I already knew of AMS because my previous workplace used AMS’s payroll software years ago, so the name was familiar. When you’re referred somewhere and you already know a bit about the company, it creates a comfortable space to explore the opportunity, and I’m really glad I did. 

What are you looking forward to in the year ahead? 

I’m currently working on the new front end for AMS Protego, which is really exciting. I’m looking forward to seeing it all come together and hopefully doing a demo soon. Outside of work, I’ve been doing a lot of running. I ran a few 10k events this year and plan to join the AMS relay next time around as well.

 Do you have a personal motto or something you live by? 

Not a set quote, but I’d say always keep learning and improving. That’s what keeps me going. 

What do you enjoy outside of work? 

I love plants. I am learning about orchids at the moment. I’ve even started going to orchid society meetings recently. It’s a nice change of pace and something completely different from coding. 

“I’m working on the new front end for AMS Protego, it’s exciting to see it all come together.” 

Thanks for sharing your story, Seb. We’ll be coming to you for plant advice soon!