Be More Like Frank...

I had to share this short story from a conversation I have just had with a 3rd year Economics Graduate, keen to enter the London Insurance Market after his finals in May.  

More often than not, Graduates come to us recruiters because Mum, Dad, Aunt Jan or Uncle Phil are Brokers or Underwriters… they have an ‘In’ and there will be some form of Lloyd’s work experience attached to their CV due to who they know. And fair play.  

However, what about the untapped talent ? The talent that may not even know about the Lloyd’s Market ? The talent that do not have a family member within ? Where do they start ? How do they learn about this wonderful market ? 

Well, for this chap it was Waiting on his customer in a well-known restaurant in Essex. 

Having spent the evening serving his happy table of 4 who were out celebrating a birthday, one of the Gentleman calls over the then 1st year Economics graduate and hands over his card. ‘Please make contact’ he says. Although too modest to admit, the gent was clearly impressed by the young mans’ approach to his work as a Waiter, his service, his demeanor… Taking the card home it was of a CEO of a rather large US focused Broking house.  

Excited, he did just that. He had at this time no clue what the Lloyd’s and London Insurance market was but after a call and some arrangements with said CEO there he was shadowing a Broker in Lloyd’s, quickly realising that this hidden gem was where he wanted to be.  

With a predicted 2.1 in June, he has since self-funded his Foundation CII exam and completed an ‘Intro to Insurance’ course.  

This is a the type of candidate I want to work with. This is the sort of guy that will go far in this market. 

So, my message to all the senior guys and girls out there who can have this influence ? Be more like Frank. You may just change someone’s world… and the Market.