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Aston Lark launches Early Careers Progra...

18 August 2022

Aston Lark launches Early Careers Programme

By Aston Lark

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Aston Lark is delighted to launch our Early Careers Programme, which aims to promote insurance as a great career choice for all. Aimed at school-leavers through to university graduates, the three-year long programme provides extensive hands-on training in a supportive environment, with the opportunity to work in a variety of roles across our business.

Not convinced that insurance is right for you? Read what our recent graduates/early career colleagues have to say…

The first cohort of our Early Careers Programme will begin in October, and a new intake will take place every quarter. Click here to apply.

Beth Milton

Account Executive – Abode, Maidstone office. Joined Aston Lark in 2017.

Read more about Beth

“I joined a small high-street insurance broker straight out of school at 18, not really knowing anything about insurance other than that I needed it for my own car! I then moved to Aston Lark a couple of years later at 21 as an account handler. In the five years since I joined, Aston Lark have invested and supported me in my ambition to complete my qualifications and become Chartered (something that I completed just two years after joining). They also allowed me to network and meet other people through company-wide initiatives and continued to develop my knowledge and skillset by giving me the opportunity to work on higher value books of business.

In April 2021 at the age of 25, I was promoted to Account Executive and now look after high-net worth clients within the Abode brand. I love catching up with my clients and helping them find a solution to their insurance problems. I am also lucky enough to be able to visit my clients and look around their beautiful homes, even if I do leave with serious property envy! With so many departments to choose from and a wealth of experience and knowledge at your fingertips, there really is no better place to start your insurance career than Aston Lark!”

Elea Durrant

Recruitment Administrator, home-based. Joined Aston Lark in 2021.

Read more about Elea

“I have a degree in Criminology from the University of Liverpool. Whilst my training opened many doors, I didn’t know which one to go through. It is safe to say after leaving uni, I was lost. But, despite this, I had a pretty good idea of the kind of company I wanted to work for. I wanted a place that invested in me, promoted an inclusive culture and was continuing to grow and develop.

Out of the blue, my brother, an Associate Director here at Aston Lark, sent me a vacancy for a Recruitment Administrator within the HR team, with the subject line: “You would be good at this. Apply”. This early-careers role was indeed attractive; it involved assisting the internal recruitment team, looking at current recruitment processes and implementing new ones. The ad said it would even be possible to undertake some relevant qualifications to boost my knowledge and skills. I was lucky enough to get the job.

Fast forward six months, and I am really enjoying my role. I am now on my newest challenge, working towards gaining a qualification next year. I speak to new people every day and feel I am contributing to a growing, reputable business and developing in both a professional and personal sense.”

Mitchell Pearce

Assistant Account Handler – Private Clients, Lakeside office. Joined Aston Lark in 2021.

Read more about Mitchell

“My journey into the insurance industry began when I was 19. I had just finished my A-Levels and was working part-time at a supermarket while applying to loads of companies, and facing many rejections due to not having a degree or experience. This made it difficult to kickstart my insurance career which I was very eager to do.

This was until I got my opportunity at Aston Lark when my managers Lauren and Daisy took a chance on me and hired me to become an Assistant Account Handler, where I was to assist my own clients with their insurance policies, queries and needs. I’ve always enjoyed interacting with people, so this felt very natural to me. The confidence my managers had in me, despite having never done this before, gave me the determination to learn and develop in my role. I’m currently studying my IF1 which is one of three exams I need to pass in order to gain my Cert CII qualification.

I’m so thankful for the opportunity that was presented to me just under a year ago. It has really enabled me to start my career in insurance and I would recommend it to anyone. I couldn’t be happier in the role, surrounded by both a fantastic team and amazing support from the directors of the company. The future for me and my career is so exciting, and I can’t wait to see how I’ll develop and progress through the company, and what the future holds.”

Will Sturges

New Business Account Handler – Road Runner, Croydon office. Joined Aston Lark in 2021.

Read more about Will

“I’m a New Business Account Handler on the Road Runner Motor Trade scheme in Croydon. I moved to Aston Lark last year, having previously worked in Personal Lines for a high street insurance broker and I’m confident in saying it was the right move for me, as it suited the progression I wanted and the career I had in mind. Furthermore, Aston Lark has recently undergone a very promising acquisition by Howden, a worldwide broking firm which has unprecedented access to global markets. The Road Runner scheme itself has also undergone exponential growth in the last 20 years having significantly grown its book of new business and existing clients through a network of brokers and retail customers around the UK.

One aspect I feel Aston Lark and Howden prides itself on is knowing that all employees’ voices are heard no matter what department or role you’re in. If anyone has a suggestion about the business whether its positive or something that needs addressing it will always be taken into consideration, and that’s one of the reasons why people enjoy working here.”

Matt Brady

Assistant New Business Account Handler – Motor Trade scheme, Maidstone office. Joined Aston Lark in 2021.

Read more about Matt

“After leaving university where I studied Accounting and Finance, just like many others, I still didn’t know exactly what path I wanted my career to take and found it daunting going from uni, where you have more free time than you know what to do with, to working full-time and not really knowing what to expect. I then got my first job in insurance at a small local broker where I worked for just over a year, and which served as a great stepping stone into the insurance industry. I have only been at Aston Lark for just over a year and I have already been lucky enough to attend events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the British Motor Show, British Touring Car Championship, numerous trade shows and the company’s annual Autumn Ball. Getting out the office every so often and going to these events really helps not only develop confidence in the role but makes the job interesting and isn’t something I thought I would get to do in my first year.

The role itself is varied, with each client bringing different challenges and circumstances. The general atmosphere of Aston Lark is very friendly, and everyone around you is there to help and genuinely wants the best for each other. The work/life balance is also really good, and it is never an expectation that you should sacrifice your personal life for work. Generally, as a graduate, Aston Lark is a really good place to transition into the insurance industry as you’ll be supported from your first day and pushed to develop as an individual, while also enjoying your time at work.”

Ben Murphy

Account Handler, Commercial division, Maidstone office. Joined Aston Lark in 2021.

Read more about Ben

“I graduated university with a degree in Social Policy (very relevant to insurance I know!), however, was unsure of what work path I would eventually take. A large circle of my friendship group work in the insurance sector and have been advising me that I should look at applying for roles, as the opportunities are endless. I started my career as an underwriter, learning the fundamentals of insurance and the market. It was certainly an adjustment from university life as it was the first time, I’ve worked 9-5, five days a week. After two years of underwriting and building up contacts (one of them being Aston Lark) I made the move to broking. I always had the intention of becoming an insurance broker and Aston Lark gave me a brilliant opportunity that I could not refuse. I got the role as a SME account handler – we deal with small to medium-sized business’ insurance policies. My role as an account handler in layman’s terms is to obtain the best possible terms and renew our existing clients’ policies.

Aston Lark have made my transition into broking extremely smooth; the colleagues I have a mixture of youth and experience and they provide a wealth of knowledge and expertise which has really helped to develop my learning. In terms of the future, as I mentioned before, the opportunities are endless within the company and Aston Lark will support you all the way (they’re not paying me to say this I promise!).”

To apply for our Early Careers Programme

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Aston Lark Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, No. 307663, and registered in England and Wales, No. 02831010. Registered office: One Creechurch Place, London, United Kingdom, EC3A 5AF.

Aston Lark Employee Benefits Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, No. 173304, and registered in England and Wales, No. 02792080. Registered office: One Creechurch Place, London, United Kingdom, EC3A 5AF.