Insider profil
Keen to receive questions about
Top Insider Advice
Ever since I started as a handler, I’ve constantly pushed for positive change, working with different business areas throughout my tenure and learning from each experience. When I think back to my application to become a Performance Analyst, I was lucky I could pull experiences from my time as a handler and team leader. However, they weren't all huge changes to processes or massive improvements to performance. Nothing is too small; as long as you’re tenacious, inquisitive and excited by continuous improvement, you're already halfway there!
Career path
Performance Analyst
First Central
Started 09/2023 to PresentClaims Customer Team Leader
First Central
From 06/2022 to 10/2023Senior Fraud Analyst
First Central
From 08/2021 to 05/2022Company
What do you like about your job and the company?
I love that I’m given the freedom to proactively approach any potential issues and am empowered to create a solution. Working with several different business areas, I can reach out and speak to many different people within the organisation, which helps me to understand the problems they may face. This gives me the motivation to stay on top of my game, researching new ways to review data sets, as well as fresh approaches for resolving issues.
Greatest achievements
Shortly before moving to my current role, I was able to organise a charity ‘Deal or No Deal’ themed raffle. Colleagues were able to buy tickets for mystery boxes that had hidden prizes. This raffle was a massive step for me as having to sell tickets, secure prizes and host the raffle draw in front of over 200 people was as far outside my comfort zone as I’ve ever been! Thankfully, we were able to rely on the generosity of our local businesses, as well as our own Exec team, who donated various prizes, including vouchers, spirits and even Airpod Pros! The team raised a staggering £2k, which the business then matched as it was for our chosen charity, Chestnut Tree House. I love that I can make a difference both inside and outside the business.
Kerry D
Head of Home Underwriting
Top Insider Advice
Be open to change and grab opportunities that come your way to help you grow and develop yourself. Always have a growth mindset and don’t close down opportunities because you’re afraid that you can’t meet the challenge. Pushing yourself outside your usual skill set will help increase your confidence and show you what you’re capable of.
Ali C
Top Insider Advice
Volunteering in Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and Climate / Social Rights Groups can be an excellent way to get exposure to ESG and set yourself up for future career opportunities. Not only does it give you a chance to learn more about the issues at hand and the various approaches being taken to tackle them, but it also allows you to develop key skills such as leadership, project management, and communication - all of which are highly valued in the ESG space. By getting involved in ERGs and social groups, you can gain a deeper understanding of the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how it intersects with ESG. You can also learn about the various ways in which companies are approaching sustainability, social responsibility, and governance, and gain valuable insights into how these approaches impact business performance and reputation. But perhaps most importantly, volunteering in ERGs and social groups is a great way to build connections and expand your network in the ESG space. By working alongside like-minded individuals who are passionate about creating a better world, you can forge relationships that may lead to future career opportunities or collaborations.
Paul F
Director of Data and Analytics
Top Insider Advice
My career experience causes me to provide the following advice, which is relevant for opportunities here at First Central: • Build credibility by doing what you say you will • Team spirit trumps all • Seek to understand and don’t judge a book by its cover • Give people space; micro-management is a killer • Be relentless in seeking to understand yourself • Coaching and mentoring are transformational and are amazing gifts you can give to others • Take risks and be brave • Be human, be vulnerable, show emotion to make yourself accessible
