The Graduate Experience

Andrew Murnieks, Brit Insurance

DEGREE COURSE
BA Hons., Business Economics at The University of Exeter

ENTRY TO LLOYD'S MARKET
Like thousands of others in their final year of University, I was faced with the prospect of finding a job. Whilst searching for some inspiration and ideas on graduate employment websites a family friend, who is a loss adjuster, suggested the Lloyd's insurance market as a potential prospect.

After researching the Lloyd's market, I was impressed by the structure of the market place and the varied lines of insurance being sold there that covered risks all over the World.  Following this research, I went about applying for graduate roles within the Lloyd's market. I was then offered an interview with Brit Insurance. In meeting Brit Insurance, I was immediately attracted by Brit Insurance's modern surroundings, their professionalism and their culture that encourages people to learn within a friendly working environment. I was therefore very please when I received the job offer.

WHAT HAVE I DONE SINCE I JOINED?
I joined Brit Insurance's graduate programme in October 2005. At first I participated in an extensive 2 week induction which equipped me with a basic understanding of insurance and proved very useful in the early months. After the induction I joined the Claims Department where I spent 14 months rotating between the different teams and their classes of insurance. This included North American Property and Casualty, Accident and Financial and Reinsurance.

After this period in the Claims Department, I joined Brit Insurance's Underwriting team becoming an Underwriter on a Brit Insurance led US Public Non-Profit Package programme placed in the Lloyd's market. The Package is predominately aimed at US municipalities, educational and religious institutions. Coverage under the Package includes property, general and auto liability, errors and omissions, worker's compensation and crime, as well as excess aggregate protection. Whilst working on the Package I have been exposed to rich and diverse classes of insurance, which have enabled me to become knowledgeable on all the latest US legal issues and policy wordings as well as giving me the opportunity to meet a variety of clients, brokers and lawyers.

In addition to this, I am very fortunate that Brit Insurance offers a comprehensive training plan and fully supported me through my ACII examinations. Mentors and HR representatives are also assigned to each graduate and they provide us with guidance and assistance on any aspect of our career and personal development, ensuring that there is someone on hand to provide advice at every step of the way.

Finally, a highlight of my time at Brit Insurance has been my attendance on two Lloyd's Market tours to the US. My first tour was in October 2006 to New York where I participated in the "Living with US Litigation" seminar. This was a fantastic course which aided my development by providing me with a good understanding of US law. My second tour was in July 2007 to the Katie School of Insurance in Chicago and Bloomington. This was also an excellent tour which has given me a useful insight to the business and insurance practices in the US. Overall, both tours imparted invaluable knowledge and created a good environment to network and make good friends with your fellow peers of the Lloyd's market.

In January 2009 Brit Insurance opened a new international office in Chicago (Brit Insurance Services USA, Inc.) and the US Public Non-Profit Package that I had been underwriting in London was the first product to be repatriated there in May 2009. To continue the effort in underwriting this product I moved to Chicago in July 2009.   

INTERESTS (INSIDE / OUTSIDE WORK)
Outside of work, I am a keen runner and recently completed the 2010 Chicago Marathon. I also enjoy playing squash and football in my spare time.