Assistant underwriter — Henry Benzikie
Henry completed the BA International Relations at The University of York before joining the graduate scheme at MS Amlin, where he has progressed to the role of assistant underwriter
Why did you decide to pursue an insurance career?
There were two key reasons. First was the variety of insurance classes within the industry. Some teams are focusing on policies related to war and terror, others on space satellites, and still others on fine art, with everything in between. Whatever your interest, there is a line of business in insurance for you.
The second was the people. Insurance is an inherently people-driven business, whether working with clients, brokers or internal stakeholders. On my first day, I found myself on a call with a broker in France, and although it was nerve-racking, it was equally exciting to get that exposure from day one.
How did you get onto MS Amlin's graduate programme?
The assessment process was more streamlined than others I'd experienced. The first step was the initial application, quickly followed by online tests. After this, I had a virtual interview with an underwriter and a human relations (HR) business partner. Finally, there was the assessment centre, which included a talk from our CEO, and a series of interviews and exercises.
MS Amlin's HR team was often on the phone with us, as well as utilising people from around the business for virtual interviews and the assessment centre. This meant that you felt a connection to the organisation early in the process.
What was a typical day like on the scheme? How does this compare with what you're doing now?
It is a two-year training programme that involves rotating around different teams in the business, and the variation is significant from team to team. You may be:
- looking at new risks
- attending client and broker meetings
- helping to assess claims
- taking a macro view of business performance.
The first week of the scheme includes an induction, during which you learn the fundamentals of insurance and meet people from around the business. You also have the opportunity to participate in practical workshops that cover a range of skills, from time management to personal branding.
After progressing from the scheme, my day-to-day work is still varied, with broker engagement and assessing risks intertwined with reviewing slips (insurance contracts) and key team metrics.
Political violence is a high-volume class of insurance business. There's a quick turnaround time, and every country has a different risk rating, so you need to be aware of what's happening in any country at any given time.
The speed of underwriting and confidence to price a risk are what make it exciting.
What did you enjoy most about the programme?
The people. By rotating, you meet people from every department and therefore get exposure to the whole business. This is not only exciting but also important, as it provides an opportunity to discover where your skills fit best. Every team is welcoming and helps show you the ropes.
What have been the main challenges?
There's a great deal to learn in insurance, as it is such a broad field. Initially, it can feel like you will never get your head around it, but that's not true. No one expects you to know it all when you first arrive, and people go out of their way to help you learn and develop - it just takes time. At the end of my first year, I was shocked by how much I'd learned.
In what ways is your degree relevant to your role?
Working in the Political Violence team, where we insure against risks such as war and terrorism, my international relations degree has certainly been beneficial. It's given me insight into the socio-political contexts that shape global events.
That said, it's by no means essential - success in insurance is open to anyone, regardless of academic background. What truly matters is a willingness to learn.
What other qualifications have you studied since graduation?
I have achieved the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) Certificate in Insurance. I'm also currently working towards the CII diploma - both of which have been fully funded by my employer. MS Amlin employees also receive study leave and a bonus of up to 拢2,500 for completing qualifications.
How have you managed to balance work with studying for your certificate and diploma?
MS Amlin provides you with dedicated study time to ensure you have everything you need to succeed. As you work your way through the qualifications, the scope of the answers broadens and often requires you to use your own experiences. Therefore, studying while working is extremely helpful.
How has your role developed, and what are your career ambitions?
Insurance underwriting provides a well-defined career path. I'm currently excited to be settling into my role as an assistant underwriter, with a clear goal of progressing to underwriter in the future.
Briefly tell us about any specific workplace initiatives you are involved with.
During my graduate scheme, I contributed to the launch of an internal innovation group. This initiative embodies the company's commitment to continuous improvement, leveraging expertise from across the business to streamline processes, explore new business lines, and enhance the customer experience.
I was involved in the group's initial setup and now sit on one of the panels that assess new ideas - an exciting opportunity that offers exposure beyond my usual day-to-day role.
What makes this so good is that in the business, anyone can make suggestions, regardless of experience or function.
What's been your biggest achievement in your career to date?
This year, I was fortunate enough to win one of three internal colleague recognition awards. I was nominated for my work teaching insurance fundamentals to new claims starters.
That was a surreal moment and really showed that even on the graduate scheme, you can make a meaningful impact across the business.
Are there any common myths or misconceptions about working in insurance you'd like to debunk?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that insurance is boring or limited to car and home cover - neither could be further from the truth. While the industry is steeped in tradition, it's anything but stuffy.
Insurance has had to evolve in response to global challenges, such as climate change and rising geopolitical tensions, leading to the development of innovative product lines and dynamic risk solutions. As the world changes, so too does the insurance market - making it an exciting and forward-thinking place to build a career.
What advice would you give to others considering working in insurance?
Just do it. There is a common phrase in insurance that people fell into the industry, but there is a reason they have stayed. It is sociable, interesting, and ever-changing, with a strong commitment to nurturing new talent in the industry. I strongly believe it is the best place to be as a new graduate.
Find out more
- Discover what else you can do with an international relations degree.
- Consider how to become an insurance underwriter.
- Explore the early career opportunities at MS Amlin.