Lights on the horizon: From auroras to wedding arrangements

by Erin Rooney, Motor Trade Insurance Broker, ABL Group

My name is Erin, and I am currently working as a Broker in the Motor Trade department in Belfast. I am from Antrim originally, and I now live in Randallstown with my Fiancé Dan & our fur babies Buddy and Holly.

I first started with ABL in August 2021 and it is my first job in insurance.

Insurance was never a career path that I ever thought I would take, but since joining, I’ve discovered a genuine passion for the industry. I never appreciated how much insurance impacts everything in our world – I had a limited view before being involved in the industry – it’s so much more than just paying for repairs if a water pipe bursts in your house!

Since starting with ABL Group in 2021, I feel like the company has offered me great opportunities to grow and develop my skills.

One of the pivotal milestones in my journey has been obtaining my Chartered Institute of Insurance Certification (Cert CII). This achievement wouldn't have been possible without the support of ABL Group's training programme, the ABL Academy. I've recently embarked on the journey towards my Diploma qualification and I'm optimistic about attaining this milestone within the next two years.

As someone who was completely new to insurance when I started in ABL, the academy and obtaining my certificate was a really enlightening experience. I was provided with not only a basic introduction to the industry but a more comprehensive understanding of insurance principles, general practices and regulations that affect the industry. This knowledge helped me feel more confident in making informed decisions and navigating various scenarios within my day-to-day job as a broker.

Working at ABL Group has been an immensely rewarding experience, largely due to the incredible people I have the privilege of working alongside. The camaraderie and support within the motor trade team and throughout the wider group have played a pivotal role in my professional growth and success. I firmly believe that I wouldn't have reached this point in my career without their unwavering assistance and genuine friendliness.

The motor trade team fosters a very collaborative and inclusive culture - whether it's lending a helping hand on a challenging renewal or offering words of encouragement during a tough day, my colleagues consistently go above and beyond to ensure each team member thrives.

ABL Group becoming part of the Brown & Brown family represents an exciting chapter in our journey. The opportunity to align with such a reputable and forward-thinking global company opens up a world of possibilities for growth. As we embark on this new chapter with our forever company, I'm filled with optimism and enthusiasm for what the future holds.

Our hybrid working pattern is typically 3 days in the office and 2 days at home. I don’t set particular working from home days as I prefer to be in the office surrounded by the team as this allows me to bounce ideas off of them. On a usual week, I will do 5 days in the office and the odd week out of the month I will take my 1 or 2 days at home when needed, I just love having the flexibility of it.

One of my favourite parts of being at home during the working day is taking my beloved pups for a leisurely stroll, soaking in the fresh air and scenery while enjoying quality time with my furry companions.

I’m known as a bit of a ‘Clean Queen’ and love a spot of organising (this helps with my day-to-day!). There's something oddly satisfying about tidying up and creating order out of chaos.

Since I got engaged in February, my passion for organising has taken on a whole new dimension. Every spare moment is now dedicated to meticulously planning my perfect wedding day. I have thoroughly enjoyed looking for venues and fine-tuning the guest list. I have wholeheartedly embraced the role of bride-to-be and so far avoided any mentions of the term Bridezilla!

I am loving getting involved in planning our honeymoon, which will likely be somewhere sunny, even though my favourite holiday was my trip to Iceland in October 2021. I went to Reykjavik with my now fiancé, and we were lucky enough to experience the Northern Lights. The pictures I took just don’t do it justice. Witnessing it in person was just breath-taking.