Tag Archives: ERS

Business News, Education News, Insurance

ERS Unveils Swansea Trainee Underwriter Programme to Boost Career Opportunities

ERS, the UK’s leading specialist motor insurer with a rich 75-year history, has introduced a Trainee Underwriter Programme at its Swansea office. This initiative is designed to foster new career opportunities in underwriting for aspiring professionals in Wales.

In April, the first group of trainee underwriters joined the programme which offers a mix of practical training and academic studies, leading to industry-recognised insurance qualifications accredited by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). All trainees get the opportunity to spend time in London, gaining both insights into the insurance industry and Lloyd’s of London operations.

ERS is situated in its spacious Crucible Park office in Swansea Vale and has nearly 500 employees. Since its significant investment in Swansea in 2014, ERS has enhanced local job opportunities, aiming to be the employer of choice in South Wales’s financial sector.

This Trainee Underwriter Programme builds on ERS’s Underwriting Academy which opened in 2020, expanding career paths for its employees and local talent. Designed to be rewarding, challenging, and enjoyable, it integrates with ERS’s diverse roles in claims, project management, business analysis, IT, counter fraud, personal injury, and risk governance.

As part of the IQUW Group, operating in Swansea, London, and Bermuda, the group wrote over $1.3 billion of specialty business in 2023 with ERS focusing on specialist motor and IQUW on property and specialty insurance and reinsurance. IQUW has a diverse range of insurance products, including Aviation, Cyber, Cargo, Crisis Management, Marine, Political Risk, Energy, Property, D&O, Financial Institutions, Political Violence, Terror and War risks written from the London office. They also provide Reinsurance for Property Treaty International, US-specific Reinsurance, and Specialty Reinsurance, written in London and Bermuda. This diversity allows ERS experts to explore various areas of insurance and reinsurance.

Jodie Aucamp, Talent Resourcer at ERS, highlights the syndicate’s investment in Swansea and their commitment to local talent: “Our new Trainee Underwriter Programme is a key addition to the varied roles we offer in Swansea, providing long-term career growth opportunities.”

Cameron Jackson’s journey demonstrates ERS’s career pathways. Starting as an underwriting assistant in Swansea, he progressed through the Underwriting Academy to become a qualified underwriter and subsequently joined the London office. Jackson praised the company’s supportive culture and the diverse, enriching nature of underwriting.

“There will always be a need for insurance and underwriters, making this a rewarding and secure career choice,” Jackson said, emphasising the limitless pathways in underwriting.

If you’re interested in any of the roles available at ERS, please visit their careers webpage.

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ERS steers candidates toward an exciting career path through its Claims Apprenticeship Programme

ERS, the UK’s specialist motor insurer, is setting a new course in South Wales with the introduction of the ERS Claims Apprenticeship Programme as a vital element of its current hiring push to fill over 50 positions at its Swansea office.

The programme opens doors to diverse opportunities within the insurance sector, including areas like broking, underwriting, and claims operations, laying the foundations for versatile and fulfilling career options.

This groundbreaking initiative not only offers a roadmap to an exciting and potentially lucrative career journey but also provides access to apprenticeships that are traditionally scarce in the region, often only available in London.

In a region where such opportunities have been rare, ERS’s Claims Apprenticeship Programme enables candidates to earn while they learn, providing a competitive salary while working toward a recognised and highly sought-after qualification.

The ERS Apprenticeship Programme is focused on nurturing the next generation of insurance professionals. As part of the programme, individuals work as Claims Handlers, playing a vital role in providing support and guidance to customers during the claims process. The company has stated that this role is not just a job; it’s the beginning of a rewarding career journey.

ERS is looking for candidates from diverse backgrounds and age ranges. It is interested in speaking to recent school or university graduates, as well as those seeking a career change – particularly those with a passion for excellent customer service and an eagerness to develop a career in insurance. The apprenticeships are based at ERS’s Swansea Vale office and offer a hybrid work model, combining office collaboration and remote work.

The programme offers candidates a competitive salary while also gaining valuable real-world experience in the dynamic insurance industry. This means that, unlike many traditional learning pathways, the apprenticeships allow participants to start their career journey with a solid financial footing.

In addition to the financial benefits, the programme fast-tracks apprentices on the path to a recognised qualification. It provides a structured and comprehensive approach to professional development, ensuring that apprentices are well-prepared to meet the industry’s demands and challenges.

Kian Hearn, Claims Apprentice at ERS, said:

“As a young person, I didn’t think apprenticeships were available in insurance and finance, and university didn’t seem like the right fit for me. But here I can earn good money, learn on the job and get a qualification at the same time, all while working in a friendly, welcoming environment.”

 

Martin Hall, Active Underwriter at ERS, said:

“At ERS, we understand the importance of creating meaningful career opportunities in South Wales. Our Claims Apprenticeship Programme is designed to empower individuals with the skills, knowledge, and qualifications they need to thrive in the insurance industry. It’s a unique opportunity for anyone seeking a career in insurance, whether they are starting out or making a career change.”

 

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply via the dedicated careers page on the ERS website.

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South Wales job market set for injection thanks to ERS

With its business thriving, ERS, the specialist motor insurer, is making substantial investments in its Swansea headquarters. The company is set to fill 50 job vacancies in the coming months as part of a strategic initiative to support its continued growth and solidify its position as a prominent employer in the area.

The company already employs close to 500 people at its 33,000 sq ft site at Crucible Park, Swansea Vale, which it first moved to in 2015. That move was prompted by the London-based company taking a strategic decision to bolster its Swansea hub, originally set up in 1994, subsequently relocating many skilled roles to Swansea from London.

Since then, the company has grown steadily, as has its workforce in Wales. Now, the company has launched a renewed campaign to put it on the map as an employer of choice in the region, able to offer careers and continuing professional development in many skilled and technical roles previously seldom found within financial services in South Wales.

Some of its skilled roles span underwriting, claims, project managers, business analysts, and system testers as well as in niche specialisms such as technical IT, counter fraud, personal injury, risk, governance, and compliance. Within the insurance sector, many of these positions have traditionally only been available in London.

The company’s commitment to Swansea has been warmly welcomed, especially in light of other large employers operating call centres scaling down their operations in the area in recent years.

Operating through a nationwide network of insurance brokers and backed by Lloyd’s Syndicate 218, ERS provides coverage for a wide range of vehicles, including supercars, sports figures and celebrities, private cars, classic cars, vans, taxis, minibuses, fleets, agricultural vehicles, and special commercial vehicles, as well as motor breakdown protection. It will cover everything from combine harvesters to supercars through to unique events like the Gumball 3000 Rally.

Martin Hall, Active Underwriter at ERS, said:

“We have a long-term commitment to South Wales and are thrilled to be contributing to the local economy with this new recruitment drive. At ERS, we believe in nurturing local talent and providing career development opportunities to individuals of all ages. We encourage anyone interested in joining our dynamic team to explore the available positions and apprenticeship opportunities.”

ERS – the UK’s leading specialist motor insurer – has announced a major recruitment drive at its Swansea Vale office

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply via the dedicated careers page on the ERS website.