Nisha Chavda

Name:: Nisha Chavda
Age:: 22
Role:: Graduate Trainee Development Executive
Company:: Oval Insurance Broking Ltd
University/Degree:: University College London - BSc (Hons) Project Management; University of Leicester - MSc Finance
Joined:: October 2006

Describe your role:

I am on a two-year graduate training programme to become a Development Executive. My role will be to build relationships with and win new corporate clients - companies with an annual turnover in excess of £10m from various industries.

How did you get into insurance?

During the last year of my undergraduate degree, I decided that I wanted to work in the financial services industry. I'd gained some summer experience at a retail bank and enjoyed the customer-facing side of that and also found the financial modules of my degree very interesting. So, after graduating I completed a postgraduate degree in finance and, whilst applying for jobs, I came across Oval, which is an insurance broking and financial services organisation.

After the first interview and learning more about the company, I really liked what Oval was about and where it was going. I thought it had a clear focus on employee development and would allow me the flexibility to tailor things to my own pace.

What does your role entail?

As Development Executive I will lead and work closely with our new business team to secure new corporate clients. I will be responsible for bringing the team together, to fully understand the risks and areas of exposure of target companies' insurance programmes. I will then be responsible for delivering appropriate insurance solutions for them. It's a very detailed process. You need to have a good commercial sense and an understanding of how different businesses work - and then you have to be able to think laterally to identify issues and risks that may have been overlooked.

Most of my time is dedicated to producing new business proposals and creating PowerPoint presentations for prospective clients. I use project management skills to liaise with the whole team to get their input and suggestions for our pitch. Of course, because I'm still in training I am also involved in other projects to help me broaden my knowledge and understanding of the industry.

What have you done in your career so far?

In my first three months I mainly shadowed different individuals around our offices to learn about the services Oval offers to see how the business operates as one of the top national brokers in the UK.

I have undertaken a number of projects including a feasibility study on new business opportunities in the food and drink sector. I also lead a research project for our Managing Director regarding a specific insurance industry issue. This was an important piece of work that gave me an opportunity to meet with lots of senior colleagues within our business. This allowed me to further expanding my knowledge of how our industry operates. It was also great to be able to see something through from start to finish and to know that the results I had prepared went on to be presented to the group's Operating Board.

What training have you received?

My training has been predominantly on-the-job, working with colleagues. I have also been on a negotiating skills course and I am scheduled to attend a presentations skills course to enhance and refine my skills when presenting to an audience.

I've had terrific support whenever I've needed it and I find that when I have a question or I need a steer there is always someone who has the time and the willingness to sit down and help me work through my ideas. Oval is also supporting me in my pursuit of CII qualification, and I hope to achieve the advanced diploma within the next 18 months.

What do you most enjoy about your role?

Seeing the job through. It's been great to take projects from start to finish - and really get to grips with the detail. I've been given significant responsibility to manage and deliver these specific projects in key areas of the business.

I also enjoy travelling around the region, meeting the teams in different offices, attending meetings and contributing to our new business pitches. This allows me to network and work with different people around the business, which has significantly enhanced my experience and knowledge of Oval and the insurance industry in general.

What would you say are the main benefits of working in the industry?

There are great opportunities for graduates, especially with an acquisitive and ambitious broker like Oval. The company is growing fast and is always on the look out for opportunities so I think new ideas and innovative approaches are always welcomed. That means that there is great scope for individuals to play an important part in the projects and initiatives that will grow and shape the company.