In partnership with Pro Global | pro-global.com
Pro Global is a world-wide business with a major base in Gloucestershire, as well as offices in the USA, Europe and Latin America – from where it serves some of the UK’s biggest insurance firms.
It has 350 staff at its county offices overlooking Gloucester Docks, 650 in total, and recently launched a recruitment drive to add to its diverse team as it manages its own ongoing growth.
The business handles some of the most unusual, challenging and interesting work in the insurance industry, helping grow companies that require specialist solutions for complex risks – including sector giants like Lloyd’s of London.
For those looking for a job with plenty of variety, but stability, with room for change and career development, a role in insurance could be for you – and Gloucestershire happens to be home to one of the nation’s most dynamic firms in the sector.
Few industries pay so much attention to detail when it comes to investing in staff development, retention and renumeration, with the sector offering a vast variety of work for an equally broad range of skill sets and interests – whatever your age, race, sex or background.
1. Opportunities for all backgrounds
No matter what your age or background, the insurance industry is interested in one thing – good staff. The powerful ABI (Association of British Insurers) describes itself as a leading voice for greater diversity and is ‘proactively working with its members to build a modern and inclusive workforce’.
This includes an emphasis on gender parity and parity for Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups – from senior to junior positions. ‘Our inclusion strategy focuses on creating a culture at the ABI that allows everyone to thrive,’ said the ABI, an attitude reflected by Gloucester-based Pro Global.
2. Salary and benefits
Already famously a sector where long careers are built, firms are increasingly transparent about the monetary rewards and benefits you can expect – for both long service and those achieved through training and qualifications.
At firms like Pro Global that extends to benefits such as flexible working, parental leave, healthcare and work from home policies – with such companies aware that good morale and sense of job satisfaction leads to happier, more productive staff. Starting salary for entry-level insurance company employees is usually higher than other entry-level positions.
3. Variety
Insurance is such a wide field you will find positions for an extraordinary variety of interests, experience and skill sets. Roles can range from risk management and data analysis to business operations, administration, human resources, sales, legal and marketing.
A firm like Pro Global is most definitely not a call centre. ‘We do not deal with things like motor insurance. It could be footballers’ legs, celebrity jewellery, stud horses, catastrophic claims, cargo and cruise ships, hurricane damage, cyber threats and even satellites’. No matter how qualified you are, or what your skill set there is likely to be a path in the industry.
4. Skills and training
Not only are there a variety of roles, because of the dynamic nature of the industry and the desire to develop and retain staff, there is great opportunity to learn new skills – from communication to organisational, from analytics to problem solving, and customer service skills to professional qualifications.
And with insurance being a world-wide industry, those professional qualifications can unlock everything from a career progression and job security within Gloucestershire to opportunities all over the globe. Pro Global has just launched a graduate and apprenticeship recruitment drive.
5. Professional development
Career advancement is one of the many things the insurance industry does well. Its attention to professional development is part of the DNA of the best firms in the sector, from basic training to high-level qualifications and apprenticeships.
Staff do not just need to be kept up to speed with the latest regulations, managers are acutely aware of talent gaps and the challenges of hiring new staff, so focus considerable effort on retaining staff and helping them see their career progression.
6. A growth industry
The insurance sector expects to continue to grow, according to sector analysts Deloitte. Its 2022 Insurance Industry Outlook report found one third of companies expect revenues to be ‘significantly better’ in 2023.
According to Deloitte, ‘demand for insurance is expected to keep rising worldwide’. One of its biggest challenges it needs to face in order to capitalise on that growth potential is attracting and retaining staff. Pro Global’s Gloucester staff team has grown by 120 in the last two years and it continues to recruit.
The insurance sector expects to continue to grow, according to sector analysts Deloitte. Its 2022 Insurance Industry Outlook report found one third of companies expect revenues to be ‘significantly better’ in 2023.
According to Deloitte, ‘demand for insurance is expected to keep rising worldwide’. One of its biggest challenges it needs to face in order to capitalise on that growth potential is attracting and retaining staff. Pro Global’s Gloucester staff team has grown by 120 in the last two years and it continues to recruit.
7. New technology and innovations
Insurance firms are keen to attract, develop and retain staff, with the sector continually affected by and eager to embrace and understand new and developing technologies.
From driverless cars to electric scooters, all the advancement in society will test the creativity of the insurance sector. If you want a career that continues to evolve and does not become stale, insurance can offer just that.
8. Making a difference to other people’s lives
Helping customers protect themselves against risk is not only meaningful work, it makes a difference to lives. Your relationship with a customer can help ensure they have the right support and cover for their business, staff, family and selves at a time of need and your skills can help deliver solutions for clients to challenges you may never even have thought existed.
Insurance companies and their staff are there for their customers in a crisis covering everything from accidents, floods and health matters. At a firm like Pro Global customers rely on it to help their business grow by delivering solutions that solve all of the above and more.
By Andrew Merrell
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