Georgina Glander, BMS
DEGREE COURSE
Economics & Politics
Bath University
ENTRY TO LLOYD'S MARKET
I first decided that I'd like to work in the insurance industry while at Bath University studying economics and politics. I felt it might offer a more client facing, "people orientated" role than banking or a governmental role which most people of my degree discipline tend to follow. I had read about Lloyd's and have family friends in the market and was extremely interested in working in such a prestigious and traditional market place. The penultimate year of my 4 year degree was to be spent in industry so I took this opportunity to apply for placements in insurance and reinsurance.
A year at Claytons Insurance Brokers confirmed to me that it was my career of choice and in my final year of university I made several applications for graduate roles within the industry. After my interviews at BMS I really felt that this was exactly the kind of company I wanted to work for - small enough not to feel lost but with plans for future growth with lots of opportunities for new graduates like myself. I was also hugely impressed by the attitudes and mentality of the people that I met. Now 18 months down and approaching the end of the graduate scheme I am looking forward to a permanent role in broking.
WHAT HAVE I DONE SINCE I JOINED?
I have been fortunate enough to have experienced working in several departments including claims, I.T and accounts but it is the broking side which I have felt most drawn and to which I feel I am most suited.
I am currently working with the BMS Re team on property Catastrophe and Retrocession business (reinsurances of reinsurers) and I very much enjoyed a highly rewarding "renewal season", last year-end, as so many of the contracts I handle run from 1 January each year. This additional experience has enhanced my confidence and enabled me to branch out into "catastrophe modelling", which is a great new opportunity for me to develop further within my broking company in 2009.
I would thoroughly recommend the Lloyd's Insurance Market to anyone who is seeking a challenging role and a chance to utilise negotiating and inter personal skills to the full while working in a dynamic and exciting industry.