We caught up with Adam, Risk Analyst Graduate at Hiscox, to learn more about his time at the firm.
Tell us about your role as a Risk Analyst graduate at Hiscox?
I’m part of the Group Underwriting Risk & Reinsurance function who aim to protect the Group from catastrophic losses and expand our underwriting capacity through an extensive reinsurance portfolio. In insurance, these losses can include anything from natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes to emerging risks such as ransomware attacks.
The function consists of three exposure management teams focusing on Property, Casualty and Cyber, as well as a reinsurance analytics and reinsurance purchasing team - spending a rotation in each of these areas has allowed me to interact with different people across the business.
As part of my day-to-day work, I’ve supported the team with internal and external reporting including helping prepare presentations for our quarterly war, terror and political violence exposure management group meetings attended by senior management. It’s rewarding to know the work I support helps inform group strategy decisions.
I’ve also been given the autonomy and responsibility to drive forward various initiatives and projects myself, such as optimising some of our repeatable processes as well as being involved in the creation of new realistic disaster scenarios to improve our exposure management.
What have been your highlights on the programme so far?
During my first six months I worked with the reinsurance purchasing team during their busiest period as they placed the outwards reinsurance portfolio - a huge team effort as most of this renews on the first of January.
I’ve also enjoyed building connections with underwriters, brokers and reinsurers from many different classes of business through supporting reinsurer information submissions for a variety of treaties
A personal highlight came when our team was awarded the Group Team of the Year award by our CEO at our annual get together. This was a great recognition of our commitment and success during a busy renewal season, and reiterated the importance of our function to the Group.
What made you choose this opportunity on the graduate programme?
During my final year of university, I was looking for a role which would make use of the skills I developed in my maths degree but also something that was diverse and had real world impact. The fact that my current role involves engagement with senior members of the business really excited me. The Hiscox graduate programme supports studying for a qualification which was important to me as I was looking to continue my learning. I also felt that Hiscox’s values align to my own and so I knew it would be a good fit.
How have you been supported in learning new skills during your time at Hiscox?
I recently completed the first stage of the professional qualification with the Chartered Insurance Institute. Hiscox covered the cost of my study materials and exams and has given me paid time off for revision and exam days. In addition, the graduate programme offers skills training and as a Hiscox employee I have access to hundreds of online training courses on our Learning and Development platform.
What advice would you give to someone looking to start their career in Insurance?
Insurance is a diverse world which touches nearly everything you interact with in daily life. From protecting small businesses to space rocket launches, the opportunities to get involved and learn about something new are endless. My main advice would be to stay curious and take every opportunity that comes your way to get involved and do something new, even if its intimidating - that’s the best way to develop!
Keen to learn more? Head over to Hiscox's profile to explore their current opportunities!