‘York has the opportunities of a large city with the feel of a small, friendly town’
Opened in 2015, our award-winning office building in York has been our northern hub for a number of years. With its 12-metre-long decommissioned rocket and a fantastic variety of artwork around the office, this unique space has become central to Hiscox’s identity in the UK. There are even two beehives on the roof, where our newly-founded beekeeping teams work to support this environmental initiative, all whilst enjoying the beautiful views of the city. Across Hiscox, we’ve adopted a flexible hybrid way of working enabling you to manage your own personal work-life balance. We see it as the best of both worlds, combining structure and in-person collaboration with independence and flexibility. With diversity, sustainability, and community at the heart of our York office, we believe it’s truly a great place to work!
Paola, Insurance Management Graduate, tells us about starting her career in Hiscox’s York office.
Tell us about your experience
So far, my experience has been brilliant. From our ‘Introduction to insurance’ sessions and specific on-the-job training, to the soft skills I’m learning on the graduate programme, I have been able to develop both professionally and personally. Everyone is always keen to help - even if their diary is full, they will always find time to offer a helping hand. This has made the transition from university to working life smooth and simple. There are also lots of development opportunities available, ranging from professional qualifications to ‘on the job’ skills and training which have been extremely useful and easy to access.
How would you describe the culture at Hiscox?
The Hiscox York office is a friendly and collaborative space, where there is always something going on! At the centre of the office is the Art Café with its famous rocket, where people go for lunch or a chat during their breaks. The food is amazing and there are always plenty of options available. There’s a broad range of functions based in the office, from Claims and Underwriting to Operations and Marketing so you can easily collaborate with colleagues and ask questions where needed. This also means that there are a lot of great career opportunities longer term. As well as this, there are a variety of committees open to all to join, which is a great way of broadening your horizons.
I’m currently on rotation in the Claims team who have been so welcoming. The nature and structure of the Claims function has meant that there have been a variety of social events which have been a great way to connect with people inside and outside of Hiscox. In addition to team socials, office-wide events such as Halloween and Christmas parties are great opportunities to get to know people you don’t see every day. Also, charity is a big focus for Hiscox, and there are regular fundraising activities which everyone is encouraged to get involved in, which are a great way to have some fun while supporting a good cause.
What is York like as a city?
York has so much to offer, with many of the opportunities and amenities of a large city, but the feel of a small, friendly town where everything is conveniently located. Although York isn’t home for me, I thoroughly enjoy going to the Hiscox office. The office is in the beautiful city centre which is great as it means there’s plenty to explore during lunch breaks. There’s a great selection of shops, as well as the Shambles market, which is always a favourite for a walk-about. Outside of work, there are lots of great restaurants and bars for work socials and team events – York is a really sociable place with easy access to trains and other modes of transport.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about starting their career at Hiscox in the York office?
My advice to anyone considering applying for a role at Hiscox in York, is just ‘go for it!’ As Hiscox’s hub in the North, it’s full of opportunities to develop your career no matter what stage you’re at. The city and its atmosphere are great, and there’s always something to do and see for everyone.