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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.
Career path
Head of Home Underwriting
First Central
Started 01/2022 to PresentHead of Business Change
First Central
From 05/2020 to 12/2021Motor Underwriting Manager
First Central
From 05/2017 to 05/2020Company
What do you like about your job and the company?
Working on Home insurance is new to First Central and we are a small team within the company who are very focused and enthusiastic around what we want to achieve. I feel very lucky to work within a team of great people who love what they do and are focused on getting the best outcomes for both our customers and First Central.
Greatest achievements
The opportunity arose and I put myself forward – it felt like a bit of a leap, and I was nervous and second guessing myself, but I wanted to push myself into something new and ambitious. I had a small team, and we were really thrown in at the deep end, suddenly working in a large change project, which was also trying to implement agile methodology. It was a really challenging time as we had a number of deadlines to meet and there were a lot of stakeholders involved. I quickly saw that the key to success was to ensure that we really focused on our deliverables by creating ambitious but realistic plans that we stuck to. The team was small but had a variety of experience which we used well to plan and prioritise our output. We built our underwriting rules in record time and showed how quickly we could produce output within the organisation by embracing the agile methodology and focusing on one common goal.
Luke P
Test Engineer
Top Insider Advice
Going above and beyond in your career can be a game changer. It’s not just about meeting expectations, it’s about exceeding them consistently. When moving to the Test Engineering team I had a lot to learn instantly and a few things that I could pick up once I got more confident in the role. To be more efficient I wanted to make sure I could do the more complex parts of the role so I taught myself how to do database searches and automation testing using Selenium in my own time. Going the extra mile not only showcases your dedication but also your commitment to the department and company. Going above and beyond can set you apart and open doors to new and exciting possibilities.
Chris B
Customer Claims Manager
Top Insider Advice
I really enjoy change delivery, developing ideas and simplifying processes in my role. ‘Find a role that supports your interests and develops your skills’, it provides longevity in the role, gives a sense of achievement and, overall, you’ll get enjoyment from the work you do.
Maria S
L&D Director
Top Insider Advice
Development never stops so own it; be the driver of your own skills development. Take time to build relationships and networks. Be brave to use your voice. No question is a stupid question so speak up if you need to ask or want to understand. Stay curious: everyone is human regardless of their level. People are always on hand to help so be confident to ask for it! Culture is key and great teams make great things happen!
