The Graduate Experience

Neil Robertson - R.J. Kiln

DEGREE COURSE
Bachelor's degree in Geography at University of St Andrews

ENTRY TO LLOYD'S MARKET
I discovered the potential for a career in the Lloyd's Market through a recommendation by a friend who had already undertaken a summer internship. Following this advice, I researched graduate opportunities in the Lloyd's Market and decided to apply for underwriting graduate schemes. I chose R.J. Kiln on the strength of their graduate scheme and their reputation in the London Insurance Market, joining in October 2007.

WHAT HAVE I DONE SINCE I JOINED?
As per the normal structure of the graduate scheme, I spent my first 18 months on rotation, experiencing different parts of the business.

I was introduced to underwriting and several different classes of business: Property, Life, Accident & Health and Aviation. I was also fortunate to spend a month overseas in Kiln's Belgium office. Spending time on the operational side of the business is an important part of the graduate scheme and I joined both the claims and project management teams for a while. The scheme presented me with excellent exposure to all aspects of the business, in particular, the underwriting process and the actual Lloyd's operation.

Following this training period, I moved permanently into the Property and Special Lines division to develop my skills as an underwriter for International Property risks.

Since I joined Kiln, I have studied for my Associate / Advanced Diploma of the Chartered Insurance Institute (ACII) professional qualification, which I achieved within a year and a half of joining Kiln. I feel that the graduate scheme has provided me with an excellent basis to move forward into underwriting and has helped me to build up a skill set that will serve me extremely well in the future.